Kangana Ranaut recently stated at a summit that India’s independence was a “bheekh (handout).”
Javed Akhtar took to Twitter to say, “It’s completely comprehendible (able). Why should individuals who had nothing to do with the independence movement feel uncomfortable if someone refers to our freedom as a “bheek”?”
Kangana was chastised for her statement by various Bollywood stars as well as political figures. Police have also filed charges against her. During the last Times Now Summit, the Padma Shri awardee warned, “…blood would flow.” However, it should not be Hindustani blood. They were aware of it, and they paid a price for it. Of course, it was not freedom but bheekh (alms), and we achieved true freedom in 2014.”
“It is an anti-national conduct that must be condemned as such. Not doing so would be a betrayal of all those who shed blood so that we might stand strong and free as a nation today.”
Kangana took to Instagram Stories to respond to his remark, writing, “Despite the fact that I explicitly stated that the 1857 revolution was the first freedom fight that was curtailed… which led to more atrocities and cruelties from the British, and that almost a century later freedom was granted to us in Gandhi’s begging bowl… Ja aur roo ab (go weep now).”
Swara Bhasker, who shared a video clip on Twitter, remarked, “Who are the fools clapping is what I want to know.” “Will we now start celebrating a new Independence Day?” filmmaker Onir wondered.
“Many people were mute bystanders when our liberation heroes were executed,” veteran actor Vikram Gokhale said in support of Kangana. Many prominent authorities were among those who did not help the freedom fighters.”
Kangana’s next production endeavour, has recently begun filming. It is directed by Sai Kabir and stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Avneet Kaur. Her first digital enterprise, Manikarnika Films, will produce the film.
