Bajrangi Bhaijaan director Kabir Khan isn’t happy with the way he thinks Indian films have depicted Mughal emperors in the past.
The ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ director has stated that he’s in fact ‘distressed’ in the way Mughal emperors are depicted in the bad light, calling them ‘builders of the nation.’
In a recent interview, the filmmaker stated that he cannot respect films “demonize” Mughals.
Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Khan was quoted saying:
“I find it hugely problematic and disturbing, because what really makes me upset is that it’s being done just to go with the popular narrative. I can understand when a filmmaker has researched something and a filmmaker wants to make a point… Of course, there can be different viewpoints.”
He further added:
“If you want to demonise the Mughals, please base it on some research and make us understand why; why they were the villains that you think they were. Because if you do some research and read history, it’s very tough to understand why they have to be villainised. I think they were the original nation-builders, and to write them off and say they murdered people… But what are you basing it on? Please point out the historical evidence. Please have an open debate, just don’t go with the narrative that you think will be popular.”
Wonder how actual historians would respond to Kabir Khan’s narrative here…