Mumbai: Veteran film actor Suhasini Mulay, who stars in late legend Dharmendra’s last movie ‘Ikkis’, has stood up for the movie, pointing at how critics in the current social circumstances uphold a movie like ‘The Kashmir Files’, but have been trolling ‘Ikkis’, which carries the message that war brings only bloodshed and trauma.

‘Ikkis’, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is an anti-war film at its heart, but continues to be trolled online and face severe criticism.

Speaking at the Gauhati Press Club, Mulay, who is known for her roles in Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, and Jodhaa Akbar, defended and praised the movie, stating that by no means did ‘Ikkis’ depict Pakistanis as ‘ghosts and demons’ but showed them as ‘humans’, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Comparing it to ‘The Kashmir Files’ and similar movies, the senior actor said that it was the impact of the present setup in society. “I was told by the scriptwriter that they were being trolled by the people. If you are in this society in this era, then you will be trolled. So, you don’t make such films. You make ‘The Kashmir Files’, you will get your entertainment tax waived,” she added, sharply.

Calling the current political cinema ideologically right-wing, Mulay said, “Religious dominance is the norm. There has been an incredible projection of violence, which we never saw earlier. And it is both mental and physical. There is also the huge question of ‘otherisation’ of indigenous people and minorities, not just Muslims, but all minorities.”

In a recent conversation with Scroll, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan spoke about the trolling since the release of ‘Ikkis’.

“I was completely surprised. There are all kinds of movies made by different kinds of people. I have made what is best for me, what we felt had the most heart, which would resonate. I am not pro this or pro that. I wanted people to come out with a certain feeling in their hearts. It’s a humane feeling,” the director said.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday dismissed speculation over confusion in the BJP-JD(S) alliance, asserting that there was clarity within them and that discussions on the chief minister post were premature.

Addressing reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after chairing a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the immediate priority was to remove what he termed an "anti-people government" in the state and to strengthen the alliance to face upcoming polls.

"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said, underlining that leadership questions would be taken up at an appropriate time.

The JD(S) second-in-command said there is still a lot of work to be done and it was not appropriate to speak about such matters now.

"On the issue of alliance, both I and our party are open-minded. When the time comes, we will discuss it on the party platform and take a decision. There is no confusion regarding the alliance, and there will be no confusion in the future. This is my stand," Kumaraswamy said.

"There is a bad government in the state. My objective is to remove it and bring in a pro-people government. Removing this corrupt and bad government is my agenda. The JD(S) and BJP parties will work together to accomplish this task," he added.

Reiterating his stand, Kumaraswamy said, "My objective is to remove the anti-people government in the state. I have been saying this from the beginning."

On reports of internal differences over the alliance and the CM's position, the union minister said he would not respond to every statement made by individuals.

"Some people are speaking about the alliance and the chief minister's position. I do not feel the need to respond to them. If I start answering each of them, people may think I lack maturity. Therefore, I will not speak about it. We will strengthen the alliance together, face the elections together, and bring a pro-people government," he said.

Kumaraswamy added that discussions within parties were natural and not final.

He said there were still two years left for the Assembly elections while there were four to five months left for the local body elections.

The union minister said the JD(S) is also preparing for the municipal elections in Bengaluru city just as other parties.

He clarified that there had been no discussions so far between the two parties specifically on local body or GBA elections.

Earlier, the JD(S) leader chaired a meeting with Members of the Legislative Council, former MLAs and other leaders of his party to review preparations for the GBA elections.