Javed Akhtar feels that Bollywood is silent about the government for fear of raids
Javed Akhtar said that many Bollywood celebrities avoid criticizing the government for fear of raiding and investigating by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He emphasized that while the stars can be privileged, they share the same fears as common citizens in today’s political atmosphere.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar shared his point why Bollywood stars do not speak against the government. In a recent conversation with senior advocate Kapil Sibal, Akhtar said that many celebrities remain silent as they are afraid of raiding and investigating by agencies such as the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sibal asked Akhtar why the film is silent about matters related to the celebrity government, while in the West he does, who gives the example of Merril Streep. Akhtar said that the film industry is not as large, and is under industrialists.
Comparing the Indian film industry to Hollywood, he said in Hindi, “Meril Streep made a statement (against the US government), but there was no income tax printed on it. Whether this insecurity is real or not, I do not want to go into that debate.” He said that the problem remains not only in the film industry but all over India.
He also shared that Bollywood stars may be famous, but they live in the same society and face the same risks. He said, “His life can be more grand, but he has the same fear. I can speak, but I think why other people remain silent,” they explained.
Javed Akhtar is one of some in the film industry, who openly criticizes the government. Over the years, he faced a lot of trolling for his thoughts. “Even my friends say,” Let it happen. Why do you want to go in it? You are above all these things. ” Sorry for me for my immodesty, I mostly feel above these, but sometimes you have to come down and tell them that, ‘No, you can’t take this freedom, and if you do, I will pay you back to the same coins, “Javed Akhtar had said the first PTI about that hate.
Javed Akhtar is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet. He rose in 1973 for fame as a screenwriter with Zangeyer. He received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007, two highest civilian awards of India.