Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Disability Rights Group condemns 'Wazir' director; team apologises

Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Jan, 2016 11:14 AM
    Disabled Rights Group (DRG), led by disability rights activist Javed Abidi, on Tuesday condemned "Wazir" director Bejoy Nambiar's remarks on "limiting" megastar Amitabh Bachchan's persona in a wheelchair. The film's team has apologised for hurting sentiments, if any.
     
    DRG demanded an apology for Nambiar's "disparaging" statement wherein he spoke about Amitabh's portrayal as a paralysed chess grandmaster.
     
    Nambiar had said: "Right from the beginning, we knew that the protagonist had to be on a wheelchair. Casting Mr. Bachchan, who has got such a strong persona, and limiting him in a wheelchair, was a big task for us to get used to.”
     
    This has spelt trouble for Nambiar. 
     
    DRG on Tuesday issued a statement that Nambiar's comments are "disparaging and extremely condescending towards people with disabilities, and highlights complete lack of knowledge, extremely archaic and derogatory perspectives that he has on disability".
     
    On their part, the team of "Wazir" -- Nambiar, as well as the film's co-writers Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Abhijat Joshi -- has apologised, but also clarified that "no malice" was ever intended.
     
    Nambiar told IANS: "I have no clue (about the issue)...that's the character he's (Amitabh is) playing... what is so wrong in what I'm saying?"
     
    Joshi said: "Absolutely nothing offensive was meant, that can be assured. There's not one percent malice towards anyone", while Chopra said: "How can he have malice? Our character is that (paralysed). Amitabh Bachchan is playing that. We don't mean malice."
     
    Chopra, who is also a producer of the movie, said they "apologise if somebody's sentiments are hurt".
     
    DRG's convenor Javed Abidi, a wheelchair user for over 30 years, had said that he was "extremely shocked to read Nambiar's statement", which reflected a "regressive image of a person with disability in his mind".
     
    He expressed hope that "no matter what, from now onwards and upto the release of the film and beyond, in all the publicity and promotion of the movie, acute care must be taken that this kind of derogatory language is not used ever again".
     
    "Wazir", which also stars Farhan Akhtar and Aditi Rao Hydari, is revenge saga and a thriller with a unique friendship at its core. It is releasing on Friday. 

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    I Enjoy Intense Films: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

    After her power-packed role in "Jazbaa", actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has started shooting for "Sarbjit", in which she sports a de-glam avatar. She says she enjoys "intense" roles.

    I Enjoy Intense Films: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

    'Bajirao Mastani' Crosses Rs.100 Crore-Mark Worldwide

    'Bajirao Mastani' Crosses Rs.100 Crore-Mark Worldwide
    The movie -- about Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I (Ranveer), Mastani (Deepika) and Kashibai (Priyanka) -- released alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's “Dilwale” on December 18. 

    'Bajirao Mastani' Crosses Rs.100 Crore-Mark Worldwide

    Rohit Shetty To Watch 'Dilwale' With Audience This Christmas

    Rohit Shetty To Watch 'Dilwale' With Audience This Christmas
    Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who is thrilled with the success of his latest directorial venture “Dilwale”, says he is planning to watch the film with the audience this Christmas.

    Rohit Shetty To Watch 'Dilwale' With Audience This Christmas

    People's Attitude In Industry Has Changed: Shilpa Shirodkar

    Actress Shilpa Shirodkar, who is returning to the small screen with a new TV show titled "Silsila Pyar Ka", says she finds that the attitude of people in showbiz has undergone a major change.

    People's Attitude In Industry Has Changed: Shilpa Shirodkar

    Twitter Block List Is Sunny Leone's Weapon For Haters

    Think before you post "obscene stuff or mean things" to Sunny Leone on Twitter! The actress will hit the block button against your name.

    Twitter Block List Is Sunny Leone's Weapon For Haters

    I'm Not Dating Anybody: Pulkit Samrat

    "I am not dating anybody. I don't know about Yami. There are so many rumours going around... Not each one is true," Pulkit said at the the music launch of the film.

    I'm Not Dating Anybody: Pulkit Samrat