Latest news with #Creators'Manch
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Pahalgam Attack Was On Country, Not Government: Javed Akhtar On Op Sindoor Delegations
New Delhi: Members of the opposition being part of the outreach delegations to various countries following Operation Sindoor is a welcome step because the Pahalgam terror attack was not carried out on the government, but India as a whole, noted lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar has said. In an over 30-minute discussion at NDTV's Creators' Manch on Friday, Mr Akhtar also spoke about where the real power centre in Pakistan lies and the row over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Amir in Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Sardaar Ji 3'. Asked if including leaders like the Congress' Shashi Tharoor and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in the outreach delegations was a calculated move by the government, the lyricist said in Hindi, "The Pahalgam terror attack was not on the government, it was an attack on the country. So everyone in the country will go. Among the people (who were part of the delegations) are some who keep attacking the government. But when it comes to the country, we are all one... the other issues are internal ones and we will keep talking about them internally," the lyricist said. Mr Akhtar said Mr Tharoor is very articulate and he was happy the Congress leader led one of the delegations, because he has diplomatic experience at the United Nations. "This is an issue that concerns the country, and that's when everyone is one. That is how it should be. This is not about a political party," he said. On the relationship between India and Pakistan, Mr Akhtar said it feels like this is the worst phase because it is a fresh wound, but pointed out that the 1965 war and the Kargil war had also happened. "Each time, the government in Pakistan tries to wash its hands of what's happening and claims it wasn't involved. In 1948, they said tribals had entered Kashmir; during the Kargil war, they said they did not know who had gone there. Similarly, in Pahalgam, they said they did not know anything about the attack. This is nothing new, it's what they do," he said. 'Not A Monolith' The lyricist stressed, however, that no country is a monolith and crores of people in Pakistan want friendship with India, but this does not suit the country's government, army and right wing. "It suits the common people there, and why won't it? India is such a big market, it has great universities, a rich culture... so young people from there will want to come here and work... in the entertainment industry and the corporate sphere. Businessmen would also want to collaborate with Indian businesses, how are all of them benefiting from strained ties? They only lose because of this," he said. Mr Akhtar said even the US knows where the real power centre in Pakistan lies and that democracy in the country is a sham. "Those who benefit are the right wing in Pakistan, because their existence depends on hatred for India and the country's army, because it'll have to stay in the barracks if there is no confrontation with India. Even when the American president wanted to talk to Pakistan, he could have spoken to the president or prime minister, but he knew where the real power lies, so he called their army chief Asim Munir. This made it clear that their democracy is a sham and the army rules the country. So, how will good relations with India suit them?" he pointed out. The lyricist repeated that it would not be in India's interest to treat Pakistan as a monolith. Indians, he said, should encourage people in Pakistan who admire and love India. Diljit Row On the row over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Amir in Diljit Dosanjh's 'Sardaar Ji 3', Mr Akhtar said it was pointless because the movie had been shot earlier. "How was he to know? Pakistan will not lose money (because of this), our countryman will... Laws can't be applied retrospectively... The Censor Board and the government should look at this sympathetically. They can say it shouldn't happen again," he suggested. One way of bettering the relationship between the countries when things weren't as bad as they are now, the scriptwriter said, would have been for artistes from both sides to make movies with the involvement of the governments.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chetan Bhagat weighs in on Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaar Ji 3-Hania Aamir row: The author says he admires the actor: 'We don't need to hate anyone to keep our country safe'
Amidst controversy over Hania Aamir's casting in Sardaar Ji 3 and escalating political tensions, Chetan Bhagat defends Diljit Dosanjh. He urges calm, emphasizing fairness and national dignity over outrage, as calls to ban the film intensify. Bhagat highlights the collective effort behind the film and advocates for focusing on national security rather than hostility. As controversy brews over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, author Chetan Bhagat has come out in support of lead actor Diljit Dosanjh . Amid rising backlash and boycott calls, Bhagat has urged for calm and perspective, advocating for a focus on art, fairness, and national dignity over outrage. Sardaar Ji 3 released in international markets today, skipping an India premiere due to heightened political tensions. The decision comes in the wake of the recent attack and India's retaliatory action targeting terror camps across the border. Calls to ban Sardaar Ji 3 and actor Diljit have intensified ever since the film's trailer—featuring Hania Aamir—was released on social media this past Sunday. The casting has sparked backlash amid escalating political tensions. Speaking at the NDTV Creators' Manch on Friday, Chetan expressed admiration for Diljit Dosanjh, calling him exceptionally talented and principled. He praised the actor for staying true to his identity—even while pursuing Bollywood fame—and highlighted his music, concerts, and social media presence as proof of his wide appeal and charm. At the event, the author spoke against the calls to ban Sardaar Ji 3, stressing that a film is a collective effort involving hundreds of people, not just the lead actor. He argued that punishing an entire crew over one controversy is unfair, especially given the investment involved. Bhagat also emphasized that safeguarding national interest doesn't require promoting hate. He further stated that India's focus should be on ensuring national security rather than engaging in hostility. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining dignity and perspective, he said that reacting with hate only serves to empower the other side. If provoked, India knows how to respond firmly—but hatred, he added, isn't the answer.
NDTV
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Chetan Bhagat Was Asked About The Most Overrated Book Ever. His Reply
In a self-effacing moment, author and columnist Chetan Bhagat pointed the finger at his own work and himself when he was asked about the most overrated book ever written. Answering rapid-fire questions on the sidelines of NDTV's Creators' Manch on Friday, Mr Bhagat also spoke about the authors he admires, whether AI can replace writers, and why writing in the mountains is not his cup of tea. On the most overrated book ever written, the author was given the option of skipping the question, but he said, "I'm thinking... It's mine. If I say someone else's, I'll get beaten up." "Any specific book?" he was asked, and he replied, "You know, I'm overrated. I'm overrated... It's okay, it's good, but I don't know... the reality is that there are better writers." As the banter continued, Mr Bhagat was asked if there are Indian authors he is jealous of and he said, "Not jealous, but admire. Like Gulzar, Javed Akhtar. There's no question of jealousy; they are very senior. But I really admire them. When I see some of their work, I wish I had done it." Worst Writing Advice? The author, who has been tremendously successful, also said that he looks back at some of his work and thinks he could have done better, even though the books were hits. "My writing has improved. It happens. Once you grow up, you think how stupid you were 10 years ago," he said. Asked about the worst writing advice he has ever heard, the author quipped, "That you need to go away in the mountains and write. No, I can't do that. I need people. I need a city, I need to be able to call an Uber. I can't go to the mountains and write." The author also explained that while artificial intelligence can write non-fiction, it can't generate fiction or something that has any "real emotion" attached to it. "Right now, it's not even close," he said.
