Shatrughan Sinha slams Maneka Gandhi's statement, says let's not find a scapegoat in cinema

New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday took to Twitter to condemn Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi's statement against cinema. In an array of tweets, the 71-year-old star also highlighted the importance of movies with strong social messages.

"Humble suggestion to Smt. Maneka Gandhi. Please choose right subject at right time and after consulting right people. There are other ways of staying in the news or coming into limelight than holding movies responsible for crimes. And who would you hold responsible for corruption - movies or politicians? And what about terrorism, anti national behaviour, molestation, attacks on airline staff, rioting etc. Let's not find a scapegoat in cinema. What about movies Pink, Dangal with strong social messages," he posted on the social media.

Earlier, Maneka blamed movies for the rising crime against women in the country and also urged the film fraternity to portray women in a better light.

"We have very important reason why men believe they can get away or they indulge in violence against women and that is films. If you look at films,which is a way to communicate messages, you will find romance almost always starts with eve-teasing. The man and friends will surround a woman, be mean to her trip her up, show her down, abuse her, touch her inappropriately and slowly she falls in love with him," Gandhi said while speaking at Goa Fest on Friday.

She said that violence against women is increasing because of the indecent representation of them in Bollywood and regional movies.

"Romance in almost every film starts with eve teasing, be it Hindi or in regional films," she added.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit also slammed her comments.

(With ANI inputs)