Priyanka Chopra voices her support for Shah Rukh Khan over 'intolerance' controversy

26 Dec 2015

Shah Rukh Khan's intolerance statement in an interview had created a mass outrage on social media that resulted in bans and protests recently when the film Dilwale was releasing. Priyanka Chopra, whose film Bajirao Mastani also released on the same day as Dilwale, came out in defence of Shah Rukh Khan and voiced out her opinion not only on Twitter but also in an interview in a popular news channel.

Priyanka Chopra recently was interviewed by one of the leading news channels over the success of her debut American series 'Quantico', the release of Bajirao Mastani and her journey in the industry. Amidst several questions that were directed towards her even by the audience, one of them asked her about how important it is to think before you speak as an actor. The actress was also questioned about a tweet she had posted a few days ago wherein she had written about the 'baseless propaganda' against actors and their films.

She had written on her Twitter handle saying, "I can't help staying silent on this anymore.. It's too sad to see how films and actors become political pawns! Bans based on baseless propaganda.. Holding films ransom just before they release so that publicity can be garnered for certain agendas by forcing a producer to their knees.. How does no one speak up for what is right? How is this fair? People think films r just fun and games to make?! They r made with blood sweat and tears for entertainment!! Pls stand by the filmmakers who put in their life's money and hard work to make people laugh and smile. Don't let them be blackmailed and threatened by holding their films ransom just before release. Speak up before if there is an issue!! Everyone has a right to an opinion. The timing right before release just seems very suspect!! I know I may get into trouble for saying all this but I can't be a silent witness to character defamation based on opinions anymore.. That is not what, the India I grew up, taught me."(sic) Claiming that actors are soft targets because of the fame and popularity, Priyanka Chopra not only maintained her stand but also said that this was not the India where she grew up in where everything is divided into religion. While she agreed to the fact that actors pay a price and these are haphazard of the acting profession, she also stated that actors too are entitled for opinion in a democratic world.

The 'intolerance' controversy also affected the collections of Shah Rukh Khan's recent release Dilwale after the several protests and ban in many regions of India. On the other hand, Bajirao Mastani too faced issues in certain sections of Maharashtra who claimed that the film had insulted the royalty of Marathas and the family of Peshwa Bajirao.