Aap Ki AdalatControversial preacher and chief priest of Bageshwar Dham, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has cautioned Bollywood producers to “not target Sanatan Dharma, culture and deities” in films.
Answering questions from Rajat Sharma in India TV’s prestigious show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, Dhirendra Shastri said, “Saffron is the color of Sanatan Dharma. In 1987-88 the film ‘Jai Santoshi Maa’ came. People became his devotees and On Fridays, tomatoes and lemons sell less in the markets. People will lose faith in God, parents and gurus if they make films against Sanatan Dharma. They should not target our culture, our Sanatan Dharma and our Gods. ‘
When Rajat Sharma asked how he could say without watching the films that Sanatana Dharma and Lord Ram were targeted, Dhirendra Shastri replied: “We do not need to see the saffron colour. The color of our blood is also saffron.”
Rajat SharmaWhat is your problem with saffron colour?
Shastri: “There is no problem, there is love.” (No problem, only love)
Silver: Is it good to associate any color with religion? This country has a tricolor which has three colours. All colors should be respected.
Shastri: “Why Bhagwa Rang? Haraa Rang Bhi Toh Besharam Ho Sakta Hai.” (Why saffron? Even green color can be ‘besharam’) (alluding to the movie Pathan)”
Rajat Sharma: You are opposing films on the basis of colour. You are threatening not to release the film?
Shastri: “We oppose those people who are against Sanatanis. We are not opposing any person, any color or any religion. Our protest is against Sanatanis, irrespective of community they belong to.”
Rajat Sharma: You should understand that the film you are opposing (Pathan) became a super hit and was seen by millions of people.
Shastri: “It should be. I heard, they have made some changes. If they show films after making changes (corrections), we are not opposed to it, because it (film-making) is an art, and we respect.”
Rajat Sharma: There should be respect, but you keep mentioning Aamir Khan’s film again and again?
Shastri: “Because after making the movie ‘PK’ Shankarji was locked in the bathroom by pasting God on his cheek.. isn’t it? Lakhs of people are devotees (of Lord Shiva), and they were making fun of our God. By making fun of Have been.” Is our god okay? If speaking against such things is protesting, then we will protest till our last breath.
Rajat Sharma: Do you know film history? The famous bhajan ‘Man Tarapat Hari Darshan’ in the movie ‘Baiju Bawra’ was written by Shakeel Badayuni, its music director was Naushad and singer was Mohammed Rafi.
Shastri: “I want to tell you politely that we are not against any community. We respect Rahim and Kabir. I have friends like Sheikh Mubarak.”
Rajat Sharma: “When Aamir Khan made ‘Lagaan’, Javed Akhtar wrote the bhajans in that film and AR Rahman composed the music.”
Shastri: “We have respect for him. I haven’t seen that movie till now but we have respect. If you have any video of me against that movie please share…. Hamara protest a special song was against (in) Pathan)….Our funda is very clear.He is Sanatan…If anyone points finger at Sanatan, he will get a straight answer…We are born for Sanatan, our life is for Sanatan is dedicated. And we will die for the eternal.”