MUMBAI – Bollywood Khans asked to break silence over the controversialIndian citizenship act 2019 by Bollywood’s leading directors.
They called on three superstar actors to break their silence about a newcitizenship law that has triggered riots in India, saying they couldinfluence millions of fans.
At least 21 people have died since crowds took to the streets enraged bythe Hindu nationalist-led government’s legislation, which critics saydiscriminates against Muslims.
The violence and the political storm raging around it has posed a dilemmafor a film industry that is dominated by Muslim actors, directors and crewbut caters for India’s broader, predominantly Hindu population.
A handful of figures have spoken out against the law and the violence, someat rallies in Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood. But none of its three leadingstars – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – have made publicstatements. All three are Muslim.
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“These three actors and their fan following is something else. One wordfrom them can influence millions,” director Anubhav Sinha, a critic ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi, told Reuters.
“I … understand why they may not be able to speak out. I am not angry atthem” said Sinha, who directed Shah Rukh Khan in the 2011 film “Ra One”.
