Actor Rajkummar Rao recently spoke about actors not being too vocal on every social topic. He was asked about why actors have been quiet about the Hindi-Marathi language row in Maharashtra and other such pressing and sensitive topics. Rao explained why actors do not comment on every topic and why silence does not necessarily mean indifference.
In an interaction with IANS, when asked whether Bollywood actors avoid speaking on Hindi-Marathi issue and controversial topics to remain politically correct, Rao responded by saying that people should talk about issues they feel strongly about—but not out of compulsion.
`Not necessary to speak on every issue`
Rajkummar Rao shared, “I think if there`s an issue you feel strongly about, you should definitely talk about it. But it`s not necessary to speak on every issue. And just because you don`t post about something on social media doesn`t mean you don’t care about it. I think that`s a bit strange. Like, I love my country—I love my country immensely.”
“But even beyond the country, for anything—if something happens, of course I feel very bad. Especially as actors, we are very, very sensitive people. I feel very bad. But if I don`t post about it on social media, then it’s assumed that I didn’t feel bad. Since when did social media become the platform to decide whether or not someone cares? If you post, it means you care—and if you don’t, it means you don’t feel anything? Who decided that? There are so many people in this country, in this world, who aren`t on social media — don`t they feel bad? They do. Don’t they feel good when something good happens? Of course, they do.”
Rajkummar on his reaction to Ahmedabad plane crash
Sharing his own example, the Maalik actor said that he was deeply affected by the Ahmedabad plane crash that claimed over 200 innocent lives. He said that he cried watch the visuals but did not put it out on social media.
“I`ve cried when I saw those airplane crash visuals. We were shooting those days when it happened. But is it so important to put it on social media, that you know, when I saw this, I cried a lot. No, it`s a personal feeling that you have or don`t have. Too much of trying to put it on social media might also take away the sensitivity.”
In a recent development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have opposed the inclusion of Hindi as a third language in Marathi-medium and other government schools. A few days ago, the Maharashtra government had recommended Hindi as an optional third language in state-run schools.