Casteism isn't discussed in sophisticated circles: Prakash Jha

Director Prakash Jha, whose upcoming film Aarakshan starring Amitabh Bachchan, is based on the issue of reservation, said casteism is not discussed openly in so-called "sophisticated circles".

When asked whether he anticipated any kind of protests from pro/anti-reservation groups post its release on August 12, Jha said, "I can't tell what will happen after the release."

"But usually casteism is not openly discussed in, what they call, sophisticated circles. There is casteism but we don't talk about it among us. But I have taken up the issue in my film."

Bachchan is playing the role of a principal at an educational institution. The film dwells on his emotional side vis-a-vis his relations with a Dalit student and other characters of the institution.

"Debate over reservation has been there even before independence because ours is a caste-based society," Jha said adding that initially social reformers had taken up the issue, and now politicians "for vote bank politics."

The maker of Gangaajal , however, opined that the question about whether one was in favour or against reservation has lost its relevance.

Saying that his film depicted the present-day commercialisation of education, Jha claimed, "Those who have money can give higher education to their children irrespective of being in the reserved or general categories."

"What will be the situation of our education system when the next generation comes up? This has to be understood," he added.