Mumbai: Veteran actor Annu Kapoor, whose upcoming film "Hamare Baarah" ran into legal trouble over allegations of being derogatory towards Islam, said on Thursday that he does not follow any religion and identifies himself as an "atheist".
The film, which will release in theaters on Friday, is directed by Kamal Chandra. It is produced by Radhika G Film and Newtech Media Entertainment. Ravi S Gupta, Birender Bhagat, Sanjay Nagpal and Sheo Balak Singh are credited as producers, with Triloki Prasad as co-producer.
Kapoor described "Hamare Baraah", previously titled "Hum Do Humare Baraah", as the story of a Muslim family led by his character Mansoor Ali Khan Sanjari.
"I have no relationship with any religion. I am an atheist. I don't participate in religious discussions because I don't have that intellect," the actor told reporters here at a press conference ahead of the film's release.
On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court allowed the release of the film after its makers agreed to remove certain objectionable parts. It was originally scheduled for release on June 7 and then June 14.
"Hamare Baarah" became embroiled in a legal battle after a series of petitions were filed in the apex court alleging that it distorted the Quran and was derogatory towards the Islamic faith and the Muslim community. The statement sought a ban on the film's release.
When asked why films like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Files" seem to target a particular community, one of the producers urged the media to "not make it a communal issue".
When a journalist claimed that even Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes films but "never demonizes any community", Kapoor said the filmmaker showed the Hindu faith in a "disrespectful" way in his 2018 film "Padmaavat".
"I don't watch films at all, but he (Bhansali) had done something for sure. In 'Padmaavat', Sanjay Leela Bhansali was showing the Hindu faith in a very respectable way? The name of the person you have mentioned, is known what kind of films he makes and how disrespectful he has shown the Hindu faith..." added the actor.
Several Rajput organizations in Rajasthan had accused Bhansali of distorting history in "Padmaavat". The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, was earlier titled 'Padmavati'.
Artists need "creative freedom" to make films on any subject, Kapoor added.
"Actors, directors, producers make films because it is their means of making money and they make a film so that it works well (in theaters)," he added.
According to producer Bhagat, the two high court judges who watched "Hamare Baarah" called it a film about "women empowerment".
"I was present when our appeal was heard by the Supreme Court. There were many things reported in the media that the Supreme Court said that the advance was offensive and that it should not have been like that. But none of that happened. They (the high court) said, "His matter is pending in the High Court." He directed the High Court to hear the matter soon.
"We are grateful to the honorable high court that on the next date they only requested to watch the film so that they could make a better judgement. Two judges of the high court watched the film and then one of them said, 'The film is about women'. empowerment and that is necessary to make films like that," he added.
Last month, the makers of "Hum Do Humare Baraah" said the film's title had been changed to "Humare Baarah" as per a directive by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The film, which will release in theaters on Friday, is directed by Kamal Chandra. It is produced by Radhika G Film and Newtech Media Entertainment. Ravi S Gupta, Birender Bhagat, Sanjay Nagpal and Sheo Balak Singh are credited as producers, with Triloki Prasad as co-producer.
Kapoor described "Hamare Baraah", previously titled "Hum Do Humare Baraah", as the story of a Muslim family led by his character Mansoor Ali Khan Sanjari.
"I have no relationship with any religion. I am an atheist. I don't participate in religious discussions because I don't have that intellect," the actor told reporters here at a press conference ahead of the film's release.
On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court allowed the release of the film after its makers agreed to remove certain objectionable parts. It was originally scheduled for release on June 7 and then June 14.
"Hamare Baarah" became embroiled in a legal battle after a series of petitions were filed in the apex court alleging that it distorted the Quran and was derogatory towards the Islamic faith and the Muslim community. The statement sought a ban on the film's release.
When asked why films like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Files" seem to target a particular community, one of the producers urged the media to "not make it a communal issue".
When a journalist claimed that even Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes films but "never demonizes any community", Kapoor said the filmmaker showed the Hindu faith in a "disrespectful" way in his 2018 film "Padmaavat".
"I don't watch films at all, but he (Bhansali) had done something for sure. In 'Padmaavat', Sanjay Leela Bhansali was showing the Hindu faith in a very respectable way? The name of the person you have mentioned, is known what kind of films he makes and how disrespectful he has shown the Hindu faith..." added the actor.
Several Rajput organizations in Rajasthan had accused Bhansali of distorting history in "Padmaavat". The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, was earlier titled 'Padmavati'.
Artists need "creative freedom" to make films on any subject, Kapoor added.
"Actors, directors, producers make films because it is their means of making money and they make a film so that it works well (in theaters)," he added.
According to producer Bhagat, the two high court judges who watched "Hamare Baarah" called it a film about "women empowerment".
"I was present when our appeal was heard by the Supreme Court. There were many things reported in the media that the Supreme Court said that the advance was offensive and that it should not have been like that. But none of that happened. They (the high court) said, "His matter is pending in the High Court." He directed the High Court to hear the matter soon.
"We are grateful to the honorable high court that on the next date they only requested to watch the film so that they could make a better judgement. Two judges of the high court watched the film and then one of them said, 'The film is about women'. empowerment and that is necessary to make films like that," he added.
Last month, the makers of "Hum Do Humare Baraah" said the film's title had been changed to "Humare Baarah" as per a directive by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
