Javed Akhtar reacts to Bollywood's silence on 'Operation Sindoor': 'Some people want to earn more money or fame. Let them'

Recently when India launched 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan, very few celebs reacted to it. Javed Akhtar who had spoken about it has now reflected on why Bollywood was silent over it. The legendary screenwriter is always known to express his views boldly across social media or during his interviews.

Speaking about why he opened up on it, Akhtar said in a chat with Lallantop, "I spoke about it, I didn’t stay silent. Sometimes people may not like what I say, sometimes they do. But I say what I believe is the truth. Now who doesn’t speak. How would I know? many people are apolitical too."

He added, "Look, when I was young, even though I came from a politically conscious and very vocal family… But when my films were becoming hits one after another, I had no idea what was going on in politics… I probably didn’t even read the newspaper. So that happens. Some people are just busy with their own work… If they’re not speaking, so be it. What’s the big deal? Some people are speaking. Many are. Others are chasing different goals… They want to earn more money or fame. Let them. It’s not necessary for everyone to speak, or for us to ask why they didn’t.”


The writer also shared an incident wherein he was asked by a business about Bollywood being silent. He recalled this businessman asking him, "Aapke Bollywood waale jo hain, nationalist films toh bohot banate hain… par iss maamle par sab chup hain."

He reacted to him and said, "First of all, the term ‘Bollywood’ itself is an anti-national name. You call the Indian film industry ‘Bollywood’? In the world, if there’s any industry that can compete with Hollywood, it’s the Indian film industry. It has nearly wiped out European cinema. Our films are released in 136–137 countries on average… and you call it Bollywood?”

He then said, "And if you like to say that a person should speak on every issue… then stand up and tell me, in the past 15 years, you’re a businessman, have you ever spoken out against a government policy, taxation, or a rule you didn’t like? Then why are you saying others don’t speak? Do you? The moment you feel even a little afraid, you go silent. One should only expect others to speak when they themselves do. It’s easy to speak when it’s convenient… try speaking when there’s risk involved.”

Meanwhile, in this interview, Akhtar also gave a befitting reply to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari who had said that he should also remain silent like Naseeruddin Shah.

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