I want them to remove it...I dont want to go there anymore. So what if I am a SRK fan but nooo...i cant go there anymore.
Bebo:
'Untouchables' demand removal of Bollywood star
Saif
Ali Khan and Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor interact with media as
they arrive at the International Indian Film Academy, or IIFA, awards
event in Colombo last year. - AP File Photo
MUMBAI: A Bollywood studio has dismissed a complaint
from a group representing oppressed low-caste Hindus, asking for a top
actor to be removed from a starring role in a new film because of his
background.
Prakash Jah Productions said a Dalit activist
group had asked for Saif Ali Khan to be dropped from the film
"Aarakshan" (Reservation).
The group said it was "vehemently
opposed" to Khan's casting as a Dalit "because he is of Muslim royal
heritage", which made him unsuitable for the role.
India's 160
million Dalits were once known as "untouchables" and given the most
menial jobs. Many still face discrimination, are forbidden to use
communal wells and excluded from social events, despite
anti-discrimination laws.
But Bollywood director Prakash Jha, head
of the production house, said in an emailed statement that the group's
argument was "absurd and totally goes against the spirit of freedom and
equality".
He has now sent an open letter to the group, stating that it was impossible to recast the role as shooting had finished.
He
added: "India is a fully democratic country with full rights and
freedom to tell stories through our movies. Social, political and
religious issues can be spoken about and depicted on screen."
The
film, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, is a drama
based on the controversial policy of reserved posts in jobs in
government and the education sector based on caste.
Jha said Khan
had been chosen purely for his acting abilities and promised to show
both sides of the "reservation" argument. The group's call for Khan's
removal "increases discrimination", he added.
Saif Ali Khan is a
Bollywood A-lister and sometimes referred to as the "chota nawab"
(little prince). His father, Mansoor Ali Khan is the ninth Nawab (Muslim
prince) of Pataudi and a former India cricket captain.
His grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan, the eighth nawab, played cricket for both India and England.
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