Prakash Jha: Bharat Mata Ki Jai debate a ‘joke’

Bollywood filmmaker Prakash Jha on Sunday described the raging debate over chanting of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as a “joke”.

“I do not understand why there is a debate over whether to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ or not. I feel the whole issue is a joke”, Mr Jha, who was here to attend a regional film festival, told reporters.

“Earlier, the debate over intolerance gripped the nation. Now, the controversy over raising the slogan (Bharat Mata Ki Jai) stirred passion in the country. Issues have been made out of non-issues,” he added.

Mr Jha, known for making movies on social and political issues, lamented that the real problems confronting the country such as farmers’ suicides, escalating conflicts over land acquisition for projects and growing unemployment among the youths have been pushed to the backburner.

“It seems hardly anybody is paying attention to the real issues facing the nation today,” he observed.

Commenting on his unsuccessful foray into electoral politics, Mr Jha, who lost all three elections he had contested, remarked, “I never contested elections to enter politics. I wanted a job as a member of parliament. Because, all resources flow from there, through which I wanted to develop my area”.

He ruled out entering politics in future saying, “I am not made for politics. The chapter is closed”.

Mr Jha said he would make departure to his traditional way of choosing social and political themes for making films and now focus on romantic themes for his future productions.