Kolkata: Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan voiced his views on interventions into the freedom of expression and civil liberties. It happened to be a rare statement from him, who was always careful to keep controversies at bay and kept himself from delivering politically sensitive statements, NDTV reported.
The actor, who opened the Kolkata International Film Festival 2022 on Thursday, further talked in length about British censorship, pre-Independence films against oppressors, communalism, and on social unity.
NDTV quoted the 80-year-old Bollywood icon, "Even now, and I'm sure my colleagues on stage would agree questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression."
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, sharing the stage with Bachchan, said that the toxic culture of social media was driven by a certain narrowness of view that restrained human nature to its baser self.
Khan, whose upcoming release "Pathaan" was under the heat of a fresh boycott call, delivered a message after that which emanated complete positivity.
He said that they all are happy and he is the happiest. He does not have any qualms saying that no matter what anyone does, all positive people in the world are alive.
"We are all happy, and I am the happiest. And I have no qualms in saying that no matter what the world does, me and you, and all positive people in the world are alive," NDTV quoted him.
Bachchan was pleased to hear Khan's words, and he lauded Khan. "I salute your artistic temperament that embraces plurality and equality," Bachchan said.