Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s latest release, Manmarziyaan, may have gotten a thumbs up from critics, but members of the Sikh community are not happy about the fact that Sikh characters in the film have been shown smoking. They’ve lodged a complaint against the makers of the film in Nainital.
Meanwhile, Kashyap has defended his depiction of the community, saying, “Every step of the way, we asked for guidance from Sikh people.”
He has put out a statement regarding the matter on Twitter, and it reads, “We created what we saw with our own eyes and after discussion. It was never the intention to hurt the community and why would we do that when we got so much love from them. The city of Amritsar opened their hearts and doors to us and everything was done with utmost care. Not a single thing was shot without guidance. We wanted to show things the way they are. No religion teaches crime or anything anti-humanity, yet those things happen. It doesn’t mean they are offending the religion (sic).”
He has also apologized to anyone hurt by his actions, saying, “To those whose hurt is genuine, I offer a genuine apology, that wasn’t my intention. And for those who are doing it for attention, I am glad you have got the attention (sic).”
To those whose hurt is genuine, I offer a genuine apology, that wasn’t my intention. And for those who are doing it for attention, I am glad you have got the attention”
— Anurag Kashyap
