The two-day literature festival Sahitya Aaj Tak came to a close on Sunday with actor Anupam Kher’s autobiographical stage performance, Kuchh Bhi Hota Hai. The event, held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi, saw the country’s prominent journalists, writers, filmmakers and actors discussing issues ranging from demonetization to suppression of the press and literature in cinema.
On Demonetisation and Nationalism:
While journalist Rajdeep Sardesai argued that ‘those who have their bank accounts in Swiss banks’ cannot preach nationalism to others, actor Anupam Kher carefully batted for nationalists and the government.
“The intention of demonetisation is to end black money. This is the intention. But, the problem is with implementation. There should not have been any problem to people. The government should have planned it better…Don’t we adjust accordingly when our houses undergo a renovation?” he asked.
The actor also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s act of waiting in a queue at a bank to exchange old notes. “Those who never went to bank, if they stand in queue outside an ATM or bank, it raises doubts about their intentions. Has one person gone to Amethi after demonetization decision to see what sort problems people in his constituency are facing? Have you done anything for the people, who have voted for you for past 50 years?” he questioned.
Writer Chetan Bhagat, while agreeing that the prime minister’s decision was a very brave one, criticised the implementation. “Demonetization is a very bold decision. We have had prime ministers in India who just sat idle without doing much. But, what the current PM did was brave. But, someone’s inefficiency is causing problems to millions of people. The new notes of Rs 2,000 don’t fit in the ATMs. So, even though we have two lakh ATMs in the country, people have to wait for hours outside banks as the new notes cannot be disbursed through these machines.”
On Freedom Of Press:
Recommended
Talking about freedom of press and the recent one day ban on NDTV, journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh stated that the media was losing freedom of expression. He accused the Modi government for muzzling the press “In 1990, communism died and in 2016 liberalism died. Media is today scared to report against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah,” he said.
On Cinema:
Accusing the current generation films of being ‘80% erotic pulp fiction’, director Anurag Kashyap said that cinema should provoke and disturb the audience.
“Hindi cinema is a kind of literature in itself. But, the present Hindi cinema is 80 per cent Mastram (a popular erotic pulp-fiction) and 20 per cent literature. Hindi cinema is occupying the place of literature. If it is taking that space, it must serve the purpose of literature. Cinema should deliver the social message that literature is supposed to do. The objective of literature is to provoke you. But, some people expect it not to provoke you. Similarly, cinema should also provoke you. It must disturb you.” he said.