Vidya Balan makes controversial statement on National Anthem
Vidya Balan, who is basking in the success of her latest box-office release Mission Mangal, opened up about her views on religion, science and nationalism among other things in a recent interaction.
Actress Vidya Balan, on being asked about the integration of nationalism and cinema, said, "It (nationalism) should be there in the cinema and not in cinema halls. We don't have to get up for the national anthem." "There are so many things that Indians can be proud of but we don't necessarily do that," she added.
"We need to question ourselves over how open-minded we are. This is also a world, where freedom, I think means that I want to be free but I want to control you. That, to me, is not freedom... Everyone is screaming out loud. There are some blatant wrong things that are angering but look at what happens on Twitter. Everyone is taking offence to what is being said," said Vidya Balan.
On the other side, India national anthem no longer compulsory in cinemas. India's Supreme Court has reversed its previous order that the national anthem must be played in every cinema before a film is screened. This was all happened in January this year. The reason is National anthem should always be sung in open area under the sky but not under the roof.
The film, released on Independence Day, features an ensemble cast including Vidya, Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Nithya Menon and Kirti Kulhari. Vidya Balan acted as a god-fearing ISRO scientist in Mission Mangal.
