RIGHT TO EXPRESS AS FUNDAMENTAL AS RIGHT TO PROTEST: SUDHIR MISHRA
Amid the row over Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmavati, director Sudhir Mishra say a filmmaker’s right to express is as fundamental as a person’s right to protest.
“As an industry, we stand by each other defending our right to make films. And if any one has any problem with a film, they are free to express, as we live in a democracy. But you can’t take away my right to express as a filmmaker as well. It is as fundamental as expressing protest and that’s all we are saying,” he says.
Mishra feels that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a responsible person. “Nobody has seen the film and I am sure Bhansali has not done anything which will hurt anyone’s sentiments. I wish the film was released, as Bhansali is a very responsible mainstream filmmaker. He will not do anything to hurt the value system of masses,” Mishra opines.
“We all support Padmavati, because we believe whatever the film may be, it should first be seen. For me, Dharavi was taken out in 1991 from theatres and nobody fought. I was alone and my career went five years back,” he added.
He also defended the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi who had slammed the makers for screening the film for various media channels before certification. “Prasoon Joshi has not taken anything personally. He is speaking on behalf of the CBFC,” Mishra said. PTI