Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; October 21, 2019)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met members from the film fraternity in a special event hosted at his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg on Saturday. The event was organised to talk about #ChangeWithin, an initiative that was launched to mark the 150th birth year of Mahatma Gandhi, and how the film fraternity can help popularise the teachings and philosophy of Gandhi through their projects.

As part of the initiative, a short film directed by Rajkumar Hirani was screened at the event. The two-minute film featured actors including Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Salman Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Vicky Kaushal, and Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Jacqueline Fernandez, apart from filmmakers, including Rajkumar Hirani, Ekta Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Aanand L Rai and Raaj Shaandilyaa, were part of the interaction with the PM at the event. In a video message on social media, Aamir Khan shared, “It was a wonderful interaction that we had with the PM Modi today, it was lovely to hear his thoughts and he was very warm and inspiring.”

SRK added, “I feel it is important that we create work and send out message in an engaging and entertaining manner. This kind of interaction that we had today was very nice.”

During the interaction, the PM said that as India celebrates its 75th Independence Day in 2022, the entertainment industry should showcase the inspiring stories of the country’s freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947 and the nation’s growth story from 1947 to 2022, a statement from his office read.

Recalling his interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram recently, he said Jinping had highlighted the popularity of Indian films such as Dangal in China. “Your work has reached all corners of the world. On the part of the government, I am happy to help in any way to ensure maximum impact of your creative initiatives,” said Modi.

Sharing more details about the interaction, director Raaj Shaandilyaa told us, “It was a very encouraging and inspiring interaction for all of us. The PM spent around two hours with us and he was very welcoming of new ideas that were shared with him. PM Modi appreciated all those filmmakers who have already been doing great work in popularising the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi. He encouraged others to make more such films and also said the government will always help the film industry in every way possible.”

PM Modi also appealed to those present at the event to visit the Dandi Kutir Museum and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

With inputs from PTI
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3 SHORTS SCREENED AT EVENT

Three short movies were screened for the guests during the event to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The screening went on for 12 minutes.

A short two-minute film, created by director Rajkumar Hirani, showed actors speaking about Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and teachings.

Another film highlighted the Swachh Bharat drive initiated by the government.

A third film, created by the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah team, conveyed Gandhi’s thoughts amid funny moments.
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 ‘Films also highlighted Swachh Bharat drive’: Boney Kapoor

We were a total of 30 people (from the entertainment industry) who met PM Narendra Modi. He is a fantastic speaker and can hold your attention. There is a lot of warmth. His way of addressing people is such that it feels as if you are interacting with an elderly member of your family. You feel, yeh toh apna hi koi hai.

It began with a screening of short movies celebrating the preachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The films also highlighted the Swachh Bharat drive. These films included a short by Raju (Rajkumar) Hirani, in which actors spoke about Gandhi’s teachings. Then there was a short showing an old Gandhi recital, in which singers from different regions sang a line or two. It was aesthetically shot. The third film was by the team of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. It conveyed the message amid funny moments. The screening of these short films went on for no longer than 12 minutes.

Later, the PM asked the attendees whether there were any suggestions. That is how he has been. Whenever we have had any glitches and problems that have been brought up to his notice, he has made it a point that they all have been addressed instantly.

After this session, we had an informal chat with him. During the high-tea, he mixed with everyone and even posed for selfies. The commendable thing about him is that he knows everyone by their names. He will address you by your name and make you feel warm.

— Onkar Kulkarni
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‘Art, music and stories can bring humanity together’: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

At the gathering, we watched the video made by Rajkumar Hirani on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth year. Gandhiji’s thoughts have even more value in today’s world. Our Prime Minister wants to spread thoughts of equanimity and goodness propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, which hold true even today. As a country, we have a vibrant culture and philosophy, which the world wants to adopt. Art, music and stories can bring humanity together and spread thoughts of change within for a brighter young India.

— Rachana Dubey
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‘Never had such conversations before... Amazing to see this change’: Kangana Ranaut

It’s very thoughtful of the Honourable Prime Minister to directly involve artistes and the entertainment industry to bring about desirable transformation in our society. A country like ours is struggling with corruption and many other evils.

Our country clearly needs internal transformation on many levels. In his speech, the Honourable Prime Minister mentioned Manikarnika’s name. I was moved to tears, it was such a special moment for our entire team. Only a visionary like him can recognise the vulnerability and the strength of art. We are fortunate to have him as a leader.

Yesterday, a lot of people spoke about the responsibility of entertainment industry beyond box-office, how to generate content that resonates with the audience, expands the dimension of their responsibility and brings about a positive change in their attitude. We never had such conversations before. It’s amazing to see this change in the industry. We are all set to lead by example. This is an amazing time to be an artiste.

— Rachana Dubey
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‘Modiji’s teacher sent a letter for him’: Asit Kumarr Modi

We have been the ambassadors of the Swachh Bharat campaign. On Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, we had created an episode on Gandhiji and his principles. We have also made a coffee table book based on the campaign. It was all showcased during this meeting. Everyone liked our efforts. Modi ji and I share a very different equation. He belongs to my hometown. We are from Vadnagar in Gujarat. He calls me ‘beta’, and that makes me emotional.

One of my uncles, who is 92 years old, was Modi ji’s teacher, back when the PM was in school at our native place. When I told my uncle that I was going to meet him, he shared a letter which he wrote for the PM. When I gave it to Modi ji, he was extremely happy, so much that he even spoke about it to Shah Rukh Khan, saying, ‘Dekho mere teacher ne mujhe ek letter bheja hai’.”

— Onkar Kulkarni
Asit Kumarr Modi, producer, and rest of the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah team with PM Narendra Modi