Responding to a question from IANS at the JLF’s sidelines presser on the current trend of ‘boycotting Bollywood’, Akhtar said: Indians love movies whether they are in the north, south, west or east of the country. We are a country of ‘Movie Bhakts’… Hearing stories and telling stories is in our DNA and this is a time-honored trend. Songs are always part of our stories… not invented by Hindi cinema. One should respect Hindi cinema. ”
“Our films are released in 35-36 countries around the world. Indian cinema is one of the most powerful goodwill ambassadors in the world. Better recognized in the world than a star.If you go to Egypt or Germany and say to people, “I am Indian,” they immediately ask if they know Shah Rukh Khan. Our films spread goodwill all over the world,” Akhtar added.
Renowned writer and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, who was sitting next to Akhtar, recalled an incident during the opening of the film “Veer Zara” in Germany.
“It was a special screening. , we came for Shah Rukh Khan,” she said.
–IANS