PM Modi To Bollywood: Create Films On Gandhism

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with prominent members of the film industry on Saturday in the Capital to popularize the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi.

The main reason behind inviting the film industry was to create films and television shows that popularise Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhism, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

Discussing about the thoughts of Gandhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Gandhi is synonymous with simplicity. His thoughts reverberate far and wide. The power of creativity is immense, and it is essential to harness this spirit of creativity for our nation. Several people from the world of films and television have been doing great work when it comes to popularising the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi".

Several stars and filmmakers were spotted at the event, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Jacqueline Fernandez, Imtiaz Ali, Ekta Kapoor, Anurag Basu, and Boney Kapoor.

Bollywood superstar Sharukh Khan also spoke about the need of the industry to come forward and make films on Gandhi which will help in the nation-building process.

He said, "I would like to thank the Prime Minister for bringing us all together, that too for a cause such as this. I feel we need to re-introduce Gandhi ji as Gandhi 2.0 to India and the world. The film industry can get self-obsessed and it is important we create work that is not only about business".

Aamir Khan spoke about the interaction session with the Prime Minister and said, "It was a wonderful interaction we had with the Prime Minister today. He was very inspiring, very warm, and very deep in what he had to say. I want to appreciate the PM for thinking about this effort. As creative people, there is much we can do, and I assure the PM that we will do even more."

"Modi ji is the first Prime Minister who is so inclusive of art and artistes and the film industry. Nobody has recognised the soft power of art and artistes in the country before. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the film industry, I thank the Prime Minister," said Kangana Ranaut.

Jacqueline said, "It was an extreme honour to be in the presence of PM Modi ji, and also to have a Prime Minister who is so willing to lend a helping hand to the film fraternity".

"For the first time it seemed like there is someone who knows our industry better than us," producer Ekta Kapoor said after the session with Modi.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali noted about the session and said, "The best thing about the session was that it was very informal. The film industry understands the informal language the best. The idea to make films on Gandhi ji will help reintroduce ourselves to Gandhi ji's philosophy".

"When we make films, there are moments we wonder why are we doing this. Today, we got a reason, a direction. All the creative people here are extremely upbeat after the session. I feel we will see results in a year's time." said filmmaker Anurag Basu.

Everybody at the event felt that Prime Minister Modi has recognised the power of the film industry.

Also Read: How Mahatma Gandhi Turned Into The ‘Half-Naked Fakir’

Take a look at the video created by Rajkumar Hirani on celebrating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi, his teachings and the legacy he left behind.