Hansal Mehta on intolerance: ‘The world has never been in such a rotten state as it is now’ | Bollywood News

Following the backlash against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for a jibe against Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Miner Eknath Shinde, in a social media post, you recalled how you had been publicly humiliated loyals from the same, then undivided political party for a single, almost trivial line of dialogue in your 2000 black comedy Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! After such a traumatic incident, how did you muster up the courage to speak up on issues that silence the majority?Yes, the incident was traumatic and the trauma numbed me. But then, I realised that when I speak up, it feels like healing from past trauma. But when I was silent, not expressing my thoughts and holding back my personal angst, it affected my interactions with the world at large, both as a filmmaker and a human being. My 2012 biographical drama, Shahid, inspired lawyer and human rights activ Shahid Azmi who was assassinated in 2010, was, I think, part of the healing process.
When I recounted the Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! incident where I was assaulted, my face blackened and my office vandalized, watched at least 20 political figures, nearly 10,000 onlookers and a helpless Mumbai Police, the point I was making was that it doesn’t matter who is in power, these people will ride roughshod when they want to and they will be nice when they want to, all for their nefarious, political/personal gains.
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What kind of reactions did your post on Wednesday elicit?
It got lots of reactions and overwhelmingly, many from the artic community have reacted and connected to what I recounted. I didn’t recount it as a victim, but to connect my experience with the fact that 25 years later, nothing has changed.
This kind of intimidation has been going on since perhaps when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was Prime Miner. Names change, faces change and parties change, but ultimately, they are all birds of a feather who give a damn about us.
How long will we as citizens allow this to happen? We are getting fooled all the time. I don’t side with any party, I believe hamam mein sab nange hain.Story continues below this ad
Also Read | Kunal Kamra hits back at Mumbai venue vandalism with parody video ‘Hum Honge Kangal’ amid ‘gaddar’ row. Watch
Kunal Kamra has refused to apologize for his remarks, stating, “I don’t fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down (sic)?”
It’s very brave of him to say so. Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina were forced to capitulate after the former’s inappropriate remark on India’s Got Latent, but Kunal Kamra has held his ground even after all the outrage and that is quite brave!
Irrespective of language, several stand-up comedians have been harassed down the years.Story continues below this ad
And sadly, most of the time, this outrage is for terrible jokes which are often not even funny, the humour is so crude. Personally, I feel that there is room for every kind of opinion and all kinds of outrage provided the anger is expressed in words and not violent action. There is no room, I repeat, no room for vandalism, goondagardi, intimidation and humiliation.
Is it because we lack a sense of humour?
We lack the ability to laugh at ourselves, it doesn’t come naturally to us. The other day, I was watching this video of, I think it was the Golden Globes, and this person was saying some really mean things about Hollywood greats like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Clint Eastwood who were all in the audience and laughing. Culturally, we are not as sporting, we are hyper sensitive.

And we have grown particularly hypersensitive about religion in the last 10-15 years.
I don’t agree, even when I made Shahid, the division on religious lines was there, whether you were a part of the majority or into minority appeasement. I would say that both sides have contributed to this divisive agenda.Story continues below this ad
Where will this end? Intolerance is not specific to India today, but has spread across the world.
The world has never been in such a rotten state as it is now and something’s gotta give.
Also Read | Kangana Ranaut attacks Kunal Kamra amid Eknath Shinde row, says ‘venue demolition ‘completely legal’: ‘Shinde used to drive auto a while ago, what are Kamra’s credentials?’
Whether it is politicians or fringe elements, actors and filmmakers are among their first targets. In this scenario, would you make a political film/series today?Story continues below this ad
Why not? I would do it cinematically, with the utmost sensitivity. I believe if your intention is to tell a story, and through that allow for introspection, create room for reflection, then that intent can never be questioned or threatened. It’s only when you go with a pointed agenda, whether it’s Left, Right or Centre, that there is a need to be fearful. I’ve never been afraid because my intention has been to provide room for introspection, for critical thinking, and not for effect or furthering any political agenda. In fact, I’ve made one irreverent political film. It’s ready, but currently in the cans because we haven’t marketed or sold it yet.
Given your stature, it would find buyers easily.
Well, it’s a little complicated because of the way the film is structured in terms of the production budget. There’s a complicated business aspect to it which has nothing to do with politics. Let’s see!