SRINAGAR: Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has come out in defence of those who were called to use the state assembly as a set for the show, Maharani. Abdullah labelled it a “shame” and accused the government of diminishing “the symbol of democracy” to a mere set. He expressed dismay at a scene featuring an actor portraying a chief minister in the show.
Why is it a shame? How is filming of a drama demeaning democracy or the ‘mother of democracy’? Every body on a film set including actors, background actors(called ‘extras’ by you) are all citizens of this country and have every right to work with dignity and deserve respect and… https://t.co/JlvalzhhU1
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) January 12, 2024
Sharing images of the Maharani shoot, Omar wrote on X, “The true face of ‘the mother of democracy,’ where once elected representatives of the people from all parties, religions, backgrounds & parts of J&K legislated on matters of great importance, now actors & extras use it as a set for TV dramas. What a shame that the BJP-driven government in J&K has reduced the symbol of democracy, where they once sat & governed, to this sorry state of affairs. They even have a fake CM coming out of an office I was privileged to occupy for 6 years. What an absolute shame!”
Hansal Mehta responded to Omar’s tweet and wrote, “Why is it a shame? How is the filming of a drama demeaning democracy or the ‘mother of democracy’? Everybody on a film set, including actors, and background actors (called ‘extras’ by you), are all citizens of this country and have every right to work with dignity and deserve respect and understanding- at least from somebody as educated as yourself.”
He added, “In countries around the world, we are given use of public places, government buildings, council halls and the like for shooting. It is because of this unwelcoming attitude that India is considered an unfriendly shooting location and we often prefer shooting abroad. I have great respect for you but this feels very disrespectful, regressive and myopic.”
