Vivek Oberoi questions silence on release of Lalu’s autobiography and furore over his picture
"If a movie can be released during Diwali and Eid to take advantage of the festive atmosphere why can't one be released during the election," said Vivek Oberoi, who portrays Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming movie of the same name.
Oberoi, who was in the city to promote his film, was replying to a question as to whether they had timed the release of the movie to coincide with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "Festivals come every year while elections come once in five years and it is a celebration of democracy," said Oberoi.
As to whether the movie makers had anticipated problems with the release of the movie during election time, Oberoi said that they had consulted legal experts and they knew there should not be any problem as long as the movie was not financed by any political party.
"I don't understand the uproar over the movie or efforts to stall its release. People who are questioning the timing of the release of the movie have no qualms when a book on the life of one of their political allies is released during election," said Oberoi in a veiled reference to Lalu Prasad's autobiography.
He also did not answer a question whether the movie makers had done a special preview for Narendra Modi or the BJP. "Like the climax of my movie it will be revealed later," he said laughing.
Given his association with the BJP, Oberoi, however, said he has no intention of taking the plunge in politics. "I was active in student politics, was the general secretary of Mumbai University and was even part of the Senate all the while not being associated with a political party. I had been offered a ticket in 2004, 2014 and even in 2019 but I said no because politics is not part of my life," said Oberoi.
"All the service I want to do I have been doing through my foundation," said Oberoi. As to the work that went beyond portraying Modi, Oberoi said he had the unfair advantage of having known the man since he was the chief minister of Gujarat. "I also observed and learned about him. We wanted to do a human narrative not show him as a superhuman but show his vulnerabilities and strengths too," said Oberoi. He said even the critics have been represented in the film.
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