I talked about casteism in `Aarakshan` : Jha

Jha said that `Aarakshan`, starring Big B touched upon the reservation issue.

Ranchi: Noted film maker Prakash Jha today said his new film `Aarakshan`, starring Amitabh Bachchan, touched upon the reservation issue but declined to comment if it would invite protests from pro/anti-reservation groups post release across the country on August 12.

"I can`t tell what will happen after the release. But usually casteism is not (openly) discussed in, what they say, sophisticated circles. There is casteism but we don`t talk about it among us. But I spoke on it (casteism) in my film," Jha told reporters here. Jha was replying to a query as to whether he anticipated any protests from pro/anti-reservation groups over certain dialogues that pointed towards the reservation policy. Bachchan is playing the role of a Principal with an educational institution in the film which dwells on his emotional side vis-a-vis his relations with a dalit student and other characters of the institution. "Debate over reservation has been there even before independence because ours is a caste-based society," Jha said adding initially social reformers had taken up the issue, later politicians and "now for vote bank politics." The maker of Ganga Jal, however, opined that the question about whether one was in favour or against reservation has lost its relevance. Saying that his film depicted the present day commercialisation of education, Jha claimed "those who have money can give higher education to their children irrespective of being in the reserved or general categories." "What will be the situation in our education system when the next generation comes up? This has to be understood”, he added. "I am also inspired by Bachchan Sahab`s devotion. His hunger for work is still the same as ever. And this story fits him very much," Jha added. PTI