Anupam Kher says 'intolerance' only felt by 'rich intellectuals'

Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Fest, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher said that the entire debate about intolerance was a joke. He was quoted saying by ANI: “People are talking about intolerant India, that's a joke. The fact that they can make statements like this is a proof enough that there is a freedom of speech.”

'It is ironical that this 'intolerance' and 'lack of freedom of speech' is only felt by rich intellectuals who roam around with bodyguards,' he said. Referring specifically to the Kashmiri Pundits issue, the 60-year-old actor said he did not see or has seen anybody returning their national awards when four lakh members of that community were rendered homeless and stateless for the past 26 years. 'We cannot have outrage which is selective or unhappiness about certain things. So, when people talk about intolerance, I react because I have never seen people raising their voices or returning awards for those four lakh Kashmiri Pundits who for the past 26 years are struggling as refugees in their own country. This is what I call intolerance,' he said. 

Anupam Kher has adopted a Kashmiri Pundit family in the remote village of Zadroo, Pulwama, in South Kashmir. They were one of the few Pundits who chose to stay on in the valley after others had fled following the start of militancy in 1989.

Earlier in the day, Kher was honoured with the second highest civilian award the ‘Padma Bhushan’ for his contribution to Indian cinema. He had said: “I got this award at the interval of the span of my acting-life. Rest is still left. As said in Hindi movies, ‘Picture to abhi baaki hai mere dost’. I have a lot more to work and achieve more,’ he said.

 Speaking at the ninth edition of Jaipur Literature Festival, the 60-year-old actor said that responsibility towards his country encourages him to work better. ‘Responsibility towards society, people, country, students and parents gives me the determination to do something more than just be an actor all my life,’ he said. Evidently accepting the fact that ‘whenever you something good, you wait for some honour’ the ‘Saransh’ actor said that he feels humbled to receive this award.

‘I feel humbled, I feel honoured, I feel happy and ecstatic and I want to thank India for giving me this biggest award of my life,’ he said. In 2004, Anupam was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema.

With inputs from agencies

Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi movie ‘Aagman’. But he came into the limelight in 1984 with ‘Saaransh’, where the then 28-year-old actor played a retired middle class Maharashtrian man who has lost his son.

Other than appearing in hundreds of movies and several plays, the ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ actor held the post of chairman of Central Board of Film Certification and National School of Drama in India.