For us patriotism has become killing someone on street or abusing on social media or disagreeing with someone, said Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor.
“For me patriotism is not cheering for India in India vs Pakistan match. Patriotism is standing for the ideology, the country was built upon. That everyone should be equal, that everyone should get equal opportunities..,” said Kapoor.
Kapoor was in Panjab University on Tuesday to promote his upcoming film ‘Raag Desh’ (song of the nation) which is based on trials of members of Indian National Army (INA) at Red Fort. He is playing the role of major general Shah Nawaz Khan in the movie which is being produced by Rajya Sabha TV.
He added that taking out a ‘morcha’ (protest march) against someone with whom you disagree has also become patriotism.
When asked if actors from Pakistan should be allowed to work in Bollywood, Kapoor pointed out towards the ‘double-standard’ of the people who were opposing the move.
“A lot of people protested when Karan Johar’s film ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ was coming as it had Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. But later ‘Mom’ was also released which had a Pakistani actor. But I didn’t hear any noise. No one has problem. I think if we are going to have rules on who would work here and not, they need to be consistent,” he said.
“You can’t have rules for one person and different for someone else. It often happens in our country,” Kapoor said.
{{/usCountry}}“You can’t have rules for one person and different for someone else. It often happens in our country,” Kapoor said.
{{/usCountry}}Among the INA trials, held between November 1945 and May 1946, the most celebrated ones were the court martial of Maj Gen Shah Nawaz Khan, Col Gurbaksh Singh Dhillion and Col Prem Sahgal. They were convicted but later released.
“One was Muslim, one was Sikh and one was Hindu. But they all were Punjabi,” said Kapoor.
Kapoor rose to fame after the success of ‘Rang De Basanti’ which was released in 2006. It had a sub-plot of making of documentary on five freedom fighters.
He played the role of a Muslim character, Aslam Khan, in the movie who further portrayed the character of freedom fighter Ashfaqullah Khan in the documentary.