Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra said he was 'very proud' of his country
Amidst the raging debate on'intolerance' in the country, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehrasays the issue has 'always been there' and it is a part andparcel of a growing economy.
The 52-year-old
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag director said he isvery proud of his country 'despite its many problems' and feelsas a citizen one has to constantly fight against odds to makethings right.
"It is a continuous process to build a nation. There is noone answer to it. We have come so far, we have gotindependence, we have gone through economic slumps, we havegone through political upheavals, social changes andrevolutions and there will be more. This is a part of it. Wehave to keep working towards it," Rakeysh Omprakash Mehratold PTI.
"We can't give up and be cynical about it. I am not. Weneed to keep building. Yes, there will be good times and badtimes. But that is what you have to fight. I am very proud ofthe country," he added.
Asked about the censorship issue, the director said that changing its chairman Pahlaj Nihalani was not theSolution and that censorship should be abolished in totality.
"Censorship should be abolished. Why do we havecensorship? It is not about Pahlaj or BJP or Congress. Let usnot politicise it. It's a wrong thing.
You can have film certification. You can ban a film. Letthem fight in the court of law. You cannot start censoring. Wewant to make Pahlaj the scapegoat but it's theforefathers who started it. The cinematographic act of 1952 iswrong. The officers out there are playing by the book," hesaid.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra extended his support to the protesting FTII studentsand urged them to not give up their fight. The director alsosaid that the government should take note of the issue andresolve it as the students are the future filmmakers of thecountry.
"I hope they stick to their guns and don't give up. It's avery tough fight. Their back will be against the wall becausesoon the pressure will show. Because somewhere they will haveto start studying otherwise they will be wasting a lot oftime. But I wish them all the luck and I wish the governmentsees sense in this," he said.
The
Rang De Basanti director said the crisis should beresolved soon as there was 'always a way out.'
"The students have my support and that does not mean thegovernment does not have my support. They have my support inresolving this. We should resolve this and move on with lifeand make movies. These are the future filmmakers, and we haveto safeguard their ideologies and their individuality. Thatcannot be compromised," Mr Mehra said.