Exclusive! Suniel Shetty on raising #BoycottBollywood concern with UP CM Yogi Adityanath – Times of India

The actor spoke exclusively to Bombay Times about taking to the valid, very important discussion at a high-profile event held in Mumbai. He said, “The event and mood were brilliant because the intention was brilliant. There were a lot of people attending the event, someone asked for an entertainment park (in UP), someone asked for more theatres etc. All I asked for (at the event) was some help for our film industry because we probably are at the worst stage that we have ever been in. I asked for help to revive the industry and get our respect back. One rotten apple doesn’t mean that the entire tree is rotten.”

He further added, “I didn’t ask for anything else. Subsidies mil jayengi, faida hoga… munafa hoga sab theek hai, lekin audience bhi toh chahiye na, woh pyaar bhi toh chaiye na. So, all I asked for was love. And there is no harm in asking this on a public platform. When you need help, you need help and whoever can help you in that journey is absolutely okay.”

Suniel urged that it is time #BoycottBollywood becomes the thing of the past and people accept Hindi films with arms wide open once again, because trends like these don’t affect just the actors, but also the other talents, from various departments associated with the films.

He elaborates saying, “Mera ek hi kehna hai ki if I do something wrong, if I project myself wrongly, then hang and ban me, but don’t ban my industry because there are 1000s of workers. After all, the film industry is not only about actors. It is about people at various levels and various stages, right from spot boys, carpenters, dancers etc. and all of them are a part of the film industry. I keep praying and wishing that our golden days come back. We have connected the world through music. At birthdays or naming ceremonies, it is our music that is played, and that is what people enjoy.”

“As I said earlier, I didn’t ask for a piece of land, I didn’t say I needed subsidy for one of my movies, I just said help the industry stand on its feet. Wherever I go, that is the only thing I ask for, whether it is my friends from the media or others. Yogi ji is someone who wanted to meet the industry and listen to us. We are on the back foot right now and someone needs to come forward. I know I will get a lot of gaali from people who want to boycott Bollywood. They will abuse me and say, ‘Yeh toh flop actor hai, etc.’ Par woh sab mujhe chalega.”

To the points he raised at the event, Suniel did get a reply from the UP CM last night, who said, “There were people who accused Lord Ram also, and such accusations are made everywhere. We should ignore these and move on with a positive outlook. Films have contributed to national integrity and to connect society. The promotion of Hindi by Hindi films is commendable. We have to see the positive aspects.”

To this, Suniel says, “Yogi ji gave a very positive reaction and I am happy about that. The new beginning can happen beautifully from a state like UP, because UP and Bihar are the heartland of India when it comes to Hindi movies. Bolte hain ki UP, Bihar mein film chal jaati hai toh all-India mein ripple effect hoke film chal jaati hai. UP has always been a state where we have shot our films and enjoyed them. I became an action hero thanks to UP, Bihar. That love still continues. I needed to talk about this.”