Religions should light up the lamps; not set fire : Prakash Rai
Interview : Satya K.
Mangaluru, April 25th: National Award winning Actor Prakash Rai is in the news for his political activism. He is in the lime light for opposing communal politics and questioning the drawbacks of the ruling party. He is continuing his political activism inspite of stiff resistance from several quarters.
He is touring across the state and through his ‘#Just Asking’ campaign trying to evoke the power of questioning among the common people and literates on the eve of Assembly elections. He spoke to Vartha Bharati on the sidelines of his program at Mangalore.
Q: You made news as an actor but you are in the news for your political activism. Do you feel you are moving away from your audience as an actor?
PR : Both in life and the world basically one should be identified as a human being. In acting you grasp certain things through certain roles, certain situations. Earlier, literature and life and the way I looked at them helped me to grow in my profession. Society enables an artiste to grow.
A man will never be great just because of his/her talent. Recognition depends on the way society receives him. An artiste who receives so much should reciprocate and give back. Some don’t like me even as an actor, it’s all about one’s taste and feelings.
Political consciousness too is similar. My anguish is not against a particular party; but against certain thought process. Inspite of certain alarming things are happening in society, I can yet live and lead a happy life. Everybody is asking the same question; Why don’t you lead a comfortable life... Now what does that mean? You have a conscience, don’t you? I am speaking with the awareness that, I can be happy if the society is happy.
As an actor I am busy as ever. When I speak on certain ideological things they say, ‘don’t watch his films!’ It’s their discretion. Reality is different from acting, they do not know this.
One should get in to debate and dialogue when you have certain dissent. I should not deceive myself by keeping quiet. Do you think I should speak to please everyone? That I should lie? I am not made of such stuff. I am straight forward. I Live honestly by my convictions.
Q: Do you have plans to enter politics gradually?
PR : I have clarified long back that I will not plunge in to electoral politics. I have certain political consciousness. I won’t give up cinema, or theatre. I won’t stop reading literature. I will not stop working as a farmer in my farm. I will not stop being a good father to my children; or a good son to my mother or a good friend to my friends. What is wrong in having) a political consciousness without really giving up all these things?
Q: You have a huge fan following. Do you think this activism has affected your fan following?
PR: See twitter or FB. Some say that they will not watch my films, or react that they cease to be my fans. It is left to them. They say, I don’t agree with your ideology, hence I won’t agree with you or see your films... Ok, who am I decide their wish and will. It’s natural that we don’t speak if we don’t like a person.
Q: When you started this activism did you expect this degree of reaction?
PR: Look, I am 53 now. For three decades I have been living, feeling the pulse of the people. I have acted in regional language films. Wherever I went I have faced certain resistance that I am an outsider, but I have also received lot of love. I have faced all sorts of obstacles. But I never expected that people would use abusive language or obscene expressions .
Q: You are a busy actor. Hence what is it that inspired you to this activism?
PR: I was a good organizer. I am the vice president of TN Film producers Association. I rebelled against certain injustices there and brought changes. But for this new involvement, Gauri’s murder triggered it. It happened when I was about to take the initiative. She was a friend of 35 years; more, I grew under the influence of her dad and my teacher Lankesh.
If this can happen to Lankesh’s daughter, what would happen to other brutally honest minds? If you can be killed for speaking against an ideology…. I felt Gauri saying, “Prakash, you too are alone”
This is not a healthy society. If a society can celebrate a murder before even the killers are caught.. I thought this is wrong; terribly wrong. Death is not something that can be celebrated. A murder or someone's pain is not something that can be celebrated.
Why did such a demonic thought processes grew? What made it happen? When I saw that in my state, in my country; when I saw these forces- I stepped out to fight against those forces. This is a very natural act. When you suppress something, something else springs up; Very natural for a human being. This is what brought me to this struggle.
Q: Do you think your activism has garnered good response?
PR: Sure, much more than what I expected. .Ordinary people are extending their support through social media too. Wherever I go they come to listen to me. I am not a leader of any political party. When I am on stage as an actor the audience was different. But as a political activist when I go, the people who come in hordes are different set of people. We are with you. We need a voice like this, they say. That’s a huge development
Q: Is your activism affecting your cinema career?
PR: Some of the forces who are against me , may stop certain ad films. But there are the very few producers or directors who listen to these forces. My recent films have become box office hits. I am acting with Mohanlal and Puneeth Rajkumar. These are suppressive politics. They are not ready to debate with me or ask why I am speaking. They stoop to the level of stopping my films or burning my posters. It is a dirty plan to hit where they think, would hurt. But I am not scared of these tactics. I am rich enough now. Quite strong to withstand these pains; there are people to shower love and take care of me. What else do I need?
Q: How about support from colleagues?
PR : They too are human. They too have their headaches. Everyone cannot speak like me. Each one has his own way of expression. Some express their opinion, some respond slowly, others send needed details..
We are building a # ‘JustAsking’ team across Karnataka. We become the voice of the people. That’s good enough.
Q: Tell us something about #JustAsking.
PR:Just Asking is not a political party. Its purpose is to encourage people to ask questions. There may be an impression that just asking is an election ploy. It is not. In fact real task of # Justasking is after the elections. It’s about consolidating the conscientious citizenry. And It is about building local organizations. For ten years we want to organise literary events, debates, symposiums. We want to go to colleges and create socio-political awareness.
We want to be in solidarity with those who question. In fact, people are the eternal opposition in democracy. Whichever party wins, people should be in a vantage position to decide. Parties have limitations. But the people of this country are not political party. One should live like a citizen in a democracy. We elect a party to govern, but people don’t belong to political party. Elected representatives should govern without favor. They should stop lying. We are forcing them to work for people by questioning.
Q: There are allegations that you are Anti Modi, Anti Hindu; pro congress and left; what is your reaction?
PR: It’s natural to suspect a man. I am an actor, one need not agree if he claims something. As I am opposing BJP in general ,it’s natural that people think I am pro congress or left. But people will judge me in future after watching my work. I have that patience to wait.
But BJP people are saying that I am a communist; a left agent. But I am saying this again. I am a citizen of this country. Answer my question. Instead of answering they are accusing me!. How can someone who talks about democracy, become a communist instantly? I am neither pro Congress, nor a member of that party. I don’t want to become MP/MLA or MLC.
How do I become anti Hindu if I question Amit Shah, Modi or Pratap Simha, I am not anti Hindu. All religions are the fruits of the best thoughts. Religions speak about tolerance. They do not ask you to kill. These people are using religion for their political ends. This is patently wrong. Hence I am questioning these individuals. I can cite examples. When I oppose anti democratic, anti religious people, they paint a different picture before innocent people. How can I be against any religion? All religions aim at evolving man in to a better human being. If you want to expand religion, build temples, go for committees; nothing wrong. But don’t aspire to rule.
IT is not the job of the state to protect a religion. State belongs to everyone. After getting elected, it is wrong to impose a particular ideology or set of thoughts on others. This is my worry. Every religion has a right to exist and flourish in this world. It cannot be the strength of a religion to claim that mine is bigger and stronger. Religions should not set fire, they are born to light up lamps. They exist to show the path to human beings through that light. Religion is not meant to burn and kill.
They say, When Hindus are in majority, what is wrong in, making this country a Hindu country? . But then where should Jains, Sikhs, Muslims or Christians go? When, Sun, you worship does not discriminate, why discriminate a hapless human being. How do you dictate this to the air, water, ocean that nourishes you, or the birds that fly? When motherhood has no religion or caste where did you find this religion that discriminates?
Prime minister ticks off his MPs saying don’t provide masala to media.. Dear PM allow them to talk, then only we will know their mindset. By making them, shut their mouth people won’t know about their leaders.
I am not reacting to something that did not happen or does not exist. As a citizen, as a sensitive actor and artiste I should respond. Shut up Prakash, go to Pakistan, they say. Why should I go to Pakistan? Tell me to go to a better country..!! Why do you say Pakistan?; Because it reveals your sickening attitude about that country. I understand this. Now, Answer my question. Don’t say, we won’t watch your cinema,
Q: Do you think you will succeed in your struggle of strengthening the democracy?
PR: When I started #JustAsking, they said, you are all alone. Now, Lots of people are with me. Thinkers, retired officials, lawyers, doctors, youth are joining me.
Q: Are you producing or directing new films?
PR : New films will roll out after July. Presently Godhi Banna is being produced in Tamil. I act in several languages; plus I produce and direct, It’s all part of my profession. I will be active till this election is over. I have already covered Mandya, Mysore, Madikeri and Udupi. This political activism will continue.
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Q: Prakash Rai focuses on his role in every film. Film field is your bread and butter. Hence can you choose one film or the role you cherish most.
PR: There are many. My role in Nagamandala, or Kanjivarm etc,. Each role explores a different dimension. The kind of experience it gives is different. Hence I can’t say this one is a perfect role. Each role or a film is special at its given time.
Q: Do you feel that we need a regional party given the present political climate in the state?
PR: Yes, it will evolve. People are fed up with this politics of violence. They are electing one or the other as they have no alternative. But after three years of new govt, people will start exploring alternatives. Or those who govern will learn from the present reactions. Otherwise people will lose their patience. When I look at BJP I don’t see a stalwart like Vajpayee among their rank. The kind of mindset BJP had during Vajpayee’s time, you don’t see now.
When the old order dies and the new one is at its infancy, certain kind of insecurity breeds this kind of demonic traits. It is inevitable that we look for an alternative
Q: What’s your future course?
PR: For the next ten years citizens should act as an opposition. Instead of Prakash Rai emerging as a leader , the courage expressed should be contagious and make people find their own voices
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