Shatrughan Sinha talks about PM Modi’s flash-visit to Lahore
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 28, 2015)
2015 has been a year of mixed blessings for Shatrughan Sinha. He was in the news for the backlash he faced within his political party the BJP, for his rebellious stand on several issues. Unfazed the actor-politician dares his parent party to dismiss him. More excitement comes from Shotgun Sinha with the publication of a tell-all biography due to be out next week.
As a champion of improved relations between India and Pakistan what do you feel about the PM’s flash-visit to Lahore?
I am so happy. It’s wonderful to see talks between the two countries resume again. Our honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi’s unexpected visit to Lahore to meet our friend the honourable prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif on the latter’s birthday is amost welcome.
You’ve always been a vocal supporter of better relationship between the two countries?
We are neighbours! Why should we be enemies? In fact Nawaz Sharif has spoken very highly of me in my biography which releases next month.
What has Nawaz Sharif said ?
He says even if there was one person like me in Pakistan all problems would have been sorted out between the two countries. So sweet and generous of him. I remember once at a meeting in Pakistan, Mani Shankar Iyer had said that talks between the two countries should be uninterrupted. I am happy to see our Prime Minister resume talks with Pakistan. May this be a happy year for both countries.
Your biography by Bharathi S Pradhan releases next week. What should readers expect?
Honest and transparent revelations on my humble achievements in politics and cinema and without any godfather in either field. L K Advani Saab will be releasing the book.
How was the year for you?
This year has certainly been eventful for me and some others of my party members. I hope the coming year would be fruitful for me. Stones have been hurled at me. But these attacks have earned me the respect of the people. People like Abhigyan Prakash repeatedly want to know why I am not being expelled.
If your party is unhappy with you, why don’t they expel you?
Only they can answer that. Maybe they feel if I go many from our party in Bihar would also go with me. Our troika in Bihar has done more damage to the party than we could ever imagine. But we being the senior and mature members of the party must forgive them for they know not what they’re doing.
Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were slammed for speaking against intolerance?
They should be forgiven. They are intelligent people, But when they try to comment on issues that they don’t know about they cut a sorry figure. They are artistes par excellence. And they should be asked mostly about cinema. Aamir Khan talking about intolerance and breaking his fast with Anna Hazare in full public view is not my idea of a politically aware actor. As for energy-king Shah Rukh he says anything and everything in a light vein. His words shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Finally your thoughts on Bollywood?
It was a terrific year for my daughter Sonakshi and for the film industry. I just saw Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and I am absolutely bowled over.