Vishal Bhardwaj has rubbished all controversies that seem to have infested the Hindi Film Industry AKA Bollywood lately.
The critically acclaimed filmmakers of movies like ‘Omkara’ and ‘Pataakha’ has stated that those making allegations and trying to allege Bollywood of maintaining a ‘toxic work culture’ are only serving their own ‘vested interests.’
The filmmaker appeared for a virtual press conference of Screenwriters Association (SWA) Awards on Friday, and here is what he was quoted telling by PTI on the subject:
“I don’t personally feel there is toxic work culture. I believe there is so much love in our work culture. The film unit becomes like a complete family. There is such a beautiful work culture (here).”
He further stated:
“I believe all this is rubbish about toxic working culture. Ours is a beautiful industry… jo barbad kiya jaa raha hai aajkal uske vested interest kis tarah ke hai sabko malum hai. And we also know why it is happening. So please forgive us, leave us on our own. We are doing good.”
Bhardwaj also lay down his thoughts on the whole ‘insider vs outsider’ debate, yet again, rubbishing the same:
“It has nothing to do with insider or outsider. All this is banai hui bakwas (All this nonsense has been made up). We are like a family. I never felt like an outsider in the industry. Whatever little I have felt, that might happen in any other profession (as well).”
“The emotional support that you get here, that you might not get in any other work culture. It is a beautiful industry, there is no toxic culture”
The filmmaker concluded his dialect stating that those criticizing the industry right now are the same ones who would purchase film tickets on a Friday.
“This is one side bowling happening. We are yet to get to ball because our theatres are closed. Those who are abusing are the ones who go and purchase tickets to watch films. Let our Friday come.”
Although, granted the everyone in the industry can’t be bad – but Vishal’s dismissiveness to everything that has been brought front and centre in the past couple of months, is equally eye-brow raising.