Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Indian Cinema Needs Freedom Of Expression: Manoj Bajpayee

Darpan News Desk IANS, 15 Aug, 2015 02:28 PM
    The need of the hour in Indian cinema as much as in India itself is complete "freedom of expression", says acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee.
     
    The actor, who has been appreciated for his roles in films like "Satya", "Pinjar", "Shool" and "Gangs of Wasseypur", has starred in an Independence Day special digital video titled "Jai Hind".
     
    He says people shouldn't be ready to attack creative artistes every now and then.
     
    "In Indian cinema, there is a censor board to interfere here and there, and then there are a number of people with their own interest. They are ready to ban it (a film) or rip the theatres or burn posters.
     
    "I feel there should be constitutional right of freedom of expression. Either you give cinema artistes complete freedom of expressing themselves or you don't have them in the society because in cinema, people can't be open for attack all the time," Manoj told IANS in an interview.
     
    He stressed that defending themselves against attacks is not something "we are trained to do".
     
    "We are trained to receive praises or criticism but we are not trained to defend ourselves against the political attack or the attack on the theatres. So, Indian cinema needs freedom of expression in its totality" said the 46-year-old.
     
    In the wake of the bans -- be if beef or porn -- in the country, Manoj also said that decisions such as these curb the basic rights of freedom among citizens.
     
    "We got independence from Britishers definitely, but we need to find independence mentally. That is the question I have in mind. Are we free to talk, walk, eat or read? These are the questions that citizens should ask themselves.
     
    "Independence, for me, is the freedom to walk the way I want to walk, freedom to eat, freedom to dress up the way I want to dress up and freedom of expression. When these things will start happening, then I will think that we truly got Independence," he said.
     
    Manoj, who started his career with a television serial "Swabhimaan" and later went on to do small roles in films like "Dastak" and "Bandit Queen", got his big break in the 1998 crime film "Satya". He even won a National Film Award for his role as Bhiku Mhatre.
     
    He again received a National Film Award for his role in the film "Pinjar". He was last seen in "Tevar".
     
    Asked about the reason behind doing a short film like "Jai Hind", in which he stars with Raveena Tandon", Manoj said: "I committed to do a short film with Amit Sharma ('Tevar' director), but for some reason he could not manage to do it on the given schedule. Then this one came to me and I found the script very apt for the moment."

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Political Background Has Made Me Wiser: Riteish Deshmukh

     Actor Riteish Deshmukh, son of late former Maharashtra chief minister and union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, feels that being born in a political family has made him wiser.

    Political Background Has Made Me Wiser: Riteish Deshmukh

    I'm Enjoying Being Married And Doing Nothing: Rani Mukerji

    I'm Enjoying Being Married And Doing Nothing: Rani Mukerji
    Rani Mukerji, who exchanged vows with Yash Raj Films (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra earlier this year, says she is currently enjoying "being married and doing nothing".

    I'm Enjoying Being Married And Doing Nothing: Rani Mukerji

    Vegetarianism Making A Difference For Anushka Sharma

    Vegetarianism Making A Difference For Anushka Sharma
    "Dil Dhadakne Do" actress Anushka Sharma had turned vegetarian a few months ago, and she claims that she can feel the difference in herself post quitting meat.

    Vegetarianism Making A Difference For Anushka Sharma

    Guru-Shishya Oldest Tradition Of Our Culture: Big B

    Guru-Shishya Oldest Tradition Of Our Culture: Big B
    On Guru Purnima day on Friday, megastar Amitabh Bachchan stressed on the importance of the teacher-student relationship, which he says is the “oldest tradition of our varied and incredible culture”.

    Guru-Shishya Oldest Tradition Of Our Culture: Big B

    My Fashion Label Resonates With Me: Madhuri Dixit

    My Fashion Label Resonates With Me: Madhuri Dixit
    Madhuri Dixit Nene has entered the fashion world with her Madz clothing line. The dancing diva of Bollywood says the range represents her style sense and her approach towards life at its best.

    My Fashion Label Resonates With Me: Madhuri Dixit

    Late Actor Bhagwan Dada's Biopic To Go On Floors Soon

    After a prolonged legal tussle, "Ek Albela", a Marathi film which will unfold the life of late actor-director Bhagwan Dada on the silver screen, will go on the floors on August 5.

    Late Actor Bhagwan Dada's Biopic To Go On Floors Soon