Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 23, 2020)

Actor Saif Ali Khan is facing a severe backlash after suggesting in a recent interview that the concept of India was defined by the British. Saif was speaking to Film Companion about his recent period epic, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, when he said that he found the film’s historical inaccuracy to be ‘dangerous’, and adding there was no concept of India till perhaps the British gave it one.

Several people have since reacted to his comments, including his Rangoon (2017) co-star Kangana Ranaut, raising the pertinent question whether actors should refrain from making such comments.

Expressing his disagreement with what Saif said, actor Sanjay Mishra points out that India’s history dates back to the very early years of human civilisation. “Our culture, our history is very ancient. India has made a huge contribution to the world’s civilisation. All of this is very old and way before the Britishers came,” he says.

But filmmaker Hansal Mehta feels that there is nothing wrong with what Saif opined. “Why should actors not talk about it? Saif spoke from a place of passion and he is free to express his views, whether we agree or disagree with it. He has spoken his truth and there is no reason why he should be trolled or reprimanded for it. He should take all of this with a pinch of salt. These trolls have become a joke,” he says.

However, when it comes to period films or projects with a historical background, audiences often get a bit more sensitive about the treatment of the story by the filmmaker and the actors. Trade analyst Atul Mohan hence feels actors should be very careful about making such comments on sensitive matters. “He should have been more cautious about what he says in public, especially at a time when his film is doing really well at the box office. When you make such a statement, it not only affects the sentiments of the people but also the film’s box office results,” he says.

Filmmaker Ketan Mehta, who has helmed period films such as Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) and Rang Rasiya (2014), feels that there has to be extra sensitivity when making such films. “Everyone involved with the project has to be wary of what to say and what not to say,” he says. But he does not endorse the trolling of actors. “Everyone has a right to their opinion and so does Saif. And it can be countered in a civilised manner, you needn’t be harsh and aggressive,” Ketan adds. Saif’s response was awaited at the time of going to press.