ID :
33470
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 08:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33470
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Deshmukh dismisses controversy over RGV,son in team to Taj
Mumbai/New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Facing flak over Mumbai terror attack, a beleaguered Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh Monday dimissed the controvery over his actor-son Reitesh and filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma accompanying him on a visit to terror-struck Taj Mahal and Trident-Oberoi hotels saying there was "no bad intention".
Ram Gopal Verma on his part said he happened to be at the
Taj premises by chance and that the issue should not be
"politicised."
"There was no bad intention in it. Many people come to
such places," Deshmukh said, when asked by reporters in Mumbai
how the film director was in the official team that visited
the luxury Taj hotel.
About Reitesh being present, Deshmukh saw nothing wrong
and asked "If my son is with me what is wrong in that? It was
a big incident and he wanted to see it."
The issue was believed to have been raised at the
all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
last night with the chief minister reportedly coming under
criticism for his "casual" attitude.
Deshmukh pointed out that the video footage of the
official visit to Taj had been provided to TV channels by the
government.
The filmmaker, who has made multiple films based on
the underworld, played down the controversy saying that he
happened to be with Reitesh at the time.
"Let me clarify that the Chief Minister did not invite
me as I have never been even formally introduced to him. It
was just that I happened to be with Reitesh at that time, whom
I know very well," said Verma, who has been accused of being
insensitive to the huge tragedy that struck Mumbai.
Verma said he had no intention of making a film on the
recent Mumbai terror strikes, which left over 180 dead and
over 250 injured, and said his visit should not be
politicised.
The three terror attack spots--Taj, Oberoi hotel and
Nariman house--have been cordoned off since November 29
when the last of the sites was cleared off terrorists and only
official visitors have been allowed in.
The Chief Minister said there was nothing wrong in his
son Riteish being part of the group as well.
The film director said that no one should derive any
other meaning from the visit by politicising it as he
maintained that it was time to fight unitedly against
terrorism.
Bollywood filmmakers, who are known to have used some
tragedies as their movie plots, are being cautious this time
keeping in mind the shimmering tension among the public.
"A humble appeal to Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Verma,
Sanjay Gupta, Rahul Dholakia and Apoorva Lakhia, Sirs, what's
happening in our beloved Bombay is terrifying and sad," an SMS
doing the rounds said reflecting the vox populi.
"Don't insult us by thinking of making a 'realistic'
film glorifying or capitalising on this situation. God please
save our country from such terrorism and such filmmakers," it
said. PTI SSG
Ram Gopal Verma on his part said he happened to be at the
Taj premises by chance and that the issue should not be
"politicised."
"There was no bad intention in it. Many people come to
such places," Deshmukh said, when asked by reporters in Mumbai
how the film director was in the official team that visited
the luxury Taj hotel.
About Reitesh being present, Deshmukh saw nothing wrong
and asked "If my son is with me what is wrong in that? It was
a big incident and he wanted to see it."
The issue was believed to have been raised at the
all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
last night with the chief minister reportedly coming under
criticism for his "casual" attitude.
Deshmukh pointed out that the video footage of the
official visit to Taj had been provided to TV channels by the
government.
The filmmaker, who has made multiple films based on
the underworld, played down the controversy saying that he
happened to be with Reitesh at the time.
"Let me clarify that the Chief Minister did not invite
me as I have never been even formally introduced to him. It
was just that I happened to be with Reitesh at that time, whom
I know very well," said Verma, who has been accused of being
insensitive to the huge tragedy that struck Mumbai.
Verma said he had no intention of making a film on the
recent Mumbai terror strikes, which left over 180 dead and
over 250 injured, and said his visit should not be
politicised.
The three terror attack spots--Taj, Oberoi hotel and
Nariman house--have been cordoned off since November 29
when the last of the sites was cleared off terrorists and only
official visitors have been allowed in.
The Chief Minister said there was nothing wrong in his
son Riteish being part of the group as well.
The film director said that no one should derive any
other meaning from the visit by politicising it as he
maintained that it was time to fight unitedly against
terrorism.
Bollywood filmmakers, who are known to have used some
tragedies as their movie plots, are being cautious this time
keeping in mind the shimmering tension among the public.
"A humble appeal to Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Verma,
Sanjay Gupta, Rahul Dholakia and Apoorva Lakhia, Sirs, what's
happening in our beloved Bombay is terrifying and sad," an SMS
doing the rounds said reflecting the vox populi.
"Don't insult us by thinking of making a 'realistic'
film glorifying or capitalising on this situation. God please
save our country from such terrorism and such filmmakers," it
said. PTI SSG
