Stop naming public structures after politicians: Actor Rishi Kapoor at JLF
Jaipur
January 20
Known for his sharp takes on Twitter and on other public platforms,
Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor on Friday expressed his resentment at the naming
of public structures after political figures, particularly from "one family",
in a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival here.
Kapoor said that he feels it is injustice to several prominent
figures from all other walks of life as roads, buildings, bridges and hospitals
are all named after political leaders.
"There are so many structures and roads named after the
Gandhi family in Delhi alone. Is it necessary to have it in such numbers? What
purpose does it serve?"
"I was angry when I saw a bridge being named after Rajiv
Gandhi. I mean it may be a way of paying respect, good that he was there but
why name structures after him even now? Can you ignore the contribution of Lata
Mangeshkar or JRD Tata? Why not name these structures after such figures rather
than political leaders," Kapoor asked in response to a question on his
controversial Twitter posts.
In conversation with author and professor of Indian Culture
and Cinema at the University of London, Rachel Dwyer, Kapoor was here to discuss
his just-launched book "Khullam Khulla."
"I have no complaints against any one family but when
I saw structures being named after the family, it irked me because there are
so many others like Lata Mangeshkar and JRD Tata who have contributed to Mumbai.
"Whichever political party comes, they name the structures
and yojnas after them. I think the constitution should ban the naming of such
structures after politicians," he said.
The 65-year-old actor also said that he has no political inclinations
and does not wish to join any political party as he is "content, happy
and satisfied" with his life.
Kapoor wished that more people from Bollywood and other walks
of life came forward and expressed their concerns over important matters on
social media.
Later, addressing a press conference here, Kapoor said that
demonetisation has had no effect on Bollywood as there is no "stashed money"
in the film industry.
"I can tell you Bollywood has not been affected by demonetisation.
There is no stashed money there. It is the real estate and the black market
that is, rightly, suffering," he contended.
Responding to a question on his inclination towards the presemt
government, Kapoor said: "I have no political ambitions and I am not a
BJP chamcha. I say and do what I feel is right. I spoke against the beef ban.
I am not doing any chamchagiri," he mainatained.
Jaipur
January 20
Known for his sharp takes on Twitter and on other public platforms,
Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor on Friday expressed his resentment at the naming
of public structures after political figures, particularly from "one family",
in a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival here.
Kapoor said that he feels it is injustice to several prominent
figures from all other walks of life as roads, buildings, bridges and hospitals
are all named after political leaders.
"There are so many structures and roads named after the
Gandhi family in Delhi alone. Is it necessary to have it in such numbers? What
purpose does it serve?"
"I was angry when I saw a bridge being named after Rajiv
Gandhi. I mean it may be a way of paying respect, good that he was there but
why name structures after him even now? Can you ignore the contribution of Lata
Mangeshkar or JRD Tata? Why not name these structures after such figures rather
than political leaders," Kapoor asked in response to a question on his
controversial Twitter posts.
In conversation with author and professor of Indian Culture
and Cinema at the University of London, Rachel Dwyer, Kapoor was here to discuss
his just-launched book "Khullam Khulla."
"I have no complaints against any one family but when
I saw structures being named after the family, it irked me because there are
so many others like Lata Mangeshkar and JRD Tata who have contributed to Mumbai.
"Whichever political party comes, they name the structures
and yojnas after them. I think the constitution should ban the naming of such
structures after politicians," he said.
The 65-year-old actor also said that he has no political inclinations
and does not wish to join any political party as he is "content, happy
and satisfied" with his life.
Kapoor wished that more people from Bollywood and other walks
of life came forward and expressed their concerns over important matters on
social media.
Later, addressing a press conference here, Kapoor said that
demonetisation has had no effect on Bollywood as there is no "stashed money"
in the film industry.
"I can tell you Bollywood has not been affected by demonetisation.
There is no stashed money there. It is the real estate and the black market
that is, rightly, suffering," he contended.
Responding to a question on his inclination towards the presemt
government, Kapoor said: "I have no political ambitions and I am not a
BJP chamcha. I say and do what I feel is right. I spoke against the beef ban.
I am not doing any chamchagiri," he mainatained.
Tags: Rishi Kapoor