Union Minister Babul Supriyo, who has seen a successful stint as playback singer in Bollywood before joining politics, has come out in defence for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited magnum opus — Padmavati. Talking to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, Supriyo voiced his concern over the violent protests against Deepika Padukone and why he feels that 2019 belongs to BJP. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview.
Union Minister Babul Supriyo, who has seen a successful stint as playback singer in Bollywood before joining politics, has come out in defence for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited magnum opus — Padmavati. Talking to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, Supriyo voiced his concern over the violent protests against Deepika Padukone and why he feels that 2019 belongs to BJP. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview.
Q: How do you look at the Padmavati controversy?
A: Creative freedom exists in our country. The entire noise which exists around the film Padmavati is not desirable and lot of people have taken freedom of speech for granted. Whatever has happened is sad and shouldn’t have happened. Obviously, the CBFC is looking into the matter. The Information and Broadcasting ministry has made it very clear that matter should be left to the Censor Board. Controversies like these invites people to make comments out of turn. Only way to resolve the issue is through process and dialogue.
Q: So, is it about creative freedom which artists enjoy?
A: That is fair enough. I cannot give you an answer from an extreme point of view. Let’s take Padmavati aside for a moment. The debate on artistic freedom has been age-old worldwide. In France, a piece of art became controversial and it was removed. The debate about good cinema and bad cinema continues. Padmavati is a huge film. There are many people who want to see the film but there are some question marks on it too. People who have not seen the film are raising the questions. There are apprehensions and I feel dialogue is the way forward. We can celebrate the life of the queen without hurting the sentiments, which also needs to be looked into.
Q: Deepika Padukone and other actors are being threatened?
A: That’s not correct. Deepika is just an artist who portrayed the character. She did what she was told. Film is a director’s medium. Threats are deplorable and no one subscribes to it. Deepika Padukone is a beloved artist. The law of the land applies to everyone. There were lot of controversies around 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,' that subsequently got resolved. I’m sure this too shall be resolved despite all the noise. It is going to find a good closure.
Q: Do you think that in the word of internet, the bans work?
A: I would say that let process take its course. Even if the CBFC doesn’t agree, filmmakers will still have tribunals to look into the issue. People have the liberty to approach other bodies. Artistic disagreements can happen with the CBFC and other bodies. I think it should be resolved peacefully. Music is about peace as it provides reprieve from the grind of daily life. I just hope that at the end, good for everyone shall prevail.
Q: Should films be judged from the positions from community’s honour?
A: The CBFC has to do the job. Life is not what is happening to you but how you react to it. Film is a huge process. Any good form of art it goes through its metamorphosis. I’m sure it will find its own way to reach people. As an artist, I pray for it and don’t want to take sides by adding fuel to the fire. For an example, with MF Hussain there were many controversies and I would see him at Lokhandwala but no one would attack him. We aren’t living a dream. People have their own apprehensions but I hope Padmavati reaches people in most beautiful manner. Cinema is about beauty.
Q: Is the BJP well-placed in Gujarat?
A: I’m certain that the BJP will surmount problems in Gujarat. Unless and until you move into a house you cannot decide what to do with it. The GST is only having teething problems which is being addressed properly and at regular intervals. GST is the biggest reform. The debate will continue. If you don’t bring larger section into the tax net it would not work in future for India. Modi has belled the cat and shown the courage to take reform agenda forward. Lot of praise should go to the Prime Minister Modi. We will win Gujarat. The debate only makes the follow up of the election very interesting.
Q; How do you see Rahul Gandhi’s campaign. The economic policy of the Centre has become an issue.
A: If Rahul Gandhi choses to take the side of the tax evaders, he will obviously find support. Lot of people wouldn’t like to pay taxes. But lot of people also pay taxes. Honest people pay taxes. They pay taxes for the country as poor needs to be subsidized. The government needs to meet those goals. Rahul has a lineage and people will listen to him. But he is confusing people. All state elections in past have shown that the mandate has been for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress by promising reservations to Patels is akin to fooling people as our senior leadership has pointed out.
Q: Why couldn’t this be solved by the local BJP leadership?
A: In a party, you cannot have six or seven Narendra Modi. He is the biggest leader and he will be at the centre stage. His move to centre from the state has not weakened the state unit. His vision is being implemented. You cannot have his replacement yet others are doing their job. He will be missed in key areas in the state but it doesn’t mean that job is not being done.
Q: Why is the BJP importing leaders from other parties like Mukul Roy?
A: Lot of people are getting convinced by our ideology. What is wrong in people joining us. People change with times and get attracted to other ideologies. Don’t people in corporates move. Don’t people want to do better in life. Coming to BJP is a promotion and I welcome them. When you are trying to do better in life then the better place to go is BJP. They are doing the right thing.
Q: What were the hits and misses of BJP campaign in West Bengal?
A: Trinamool Congress and the Left for a long period of time have practiced different kind of politics. In remote areas, they have done nothing. Votes were purchased. 100 rupees also make a difference in some areas. They have given cycles in the name of government schemes.
Q: But BJP was not able to funnel its support into seats?
A: BJP has not been traditionally present in West Bengal. It was Left and Congress and then TMC. We are taking steps. Mamta out of 30 minutes spends majority of time attacking BJP. We will do very well in 2019. We have the space in West Bengal.
Q: Is BJP prepared for 2019 elections?
A: There will be few hits and misses but in the end, we will come out stronger. Our party has done exceedingly well under the Prime Minister. The reform agenda will continue.
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