Mumbai : Veteran Actor Vikram Gokhale said that he agrees with the statement made by actress Kangana Ranaut on Independence of the nation. Kangana Ranaut’s recent remark is that Independence India attained in 1947 was a “bheekh” (alms), adding that he also supported Ranaut’s statement that India got “real freedom in 2014”.
Addressing the sidelines of the event, organised by Bramhan Mahasangh in the city to honour Gokhale on his 75th birthday, the actor said, “I agree with what Kangana has said. We got freedom in alms. The fighters who wanted to snatch it from the British were hanged and the bigwigs at that time did not attempt to save them.”
Gokhale later told the Indian Express: “I also agree with what Ranaut said that we got real freedom in 2014.”
Gokhale, though, said he was not a blind supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “When PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah go on election campaign, I don’t agree with what they say. But yes, when they work in national interest, like how they put China on the backfoot, I support them.”
Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, “If Gokhale is supporting her (Ranaut), he should better join a political party like BJP.” To this, Gokhale said he was not a supporter of any political party. “My views are my views. They are not dictated by any political parties. All parties are similar,” he said.
Actor Sharad Ponkshe, whose play “Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy” had created a storm a few years back, said, “India gained freedom because of the fight put up by freedom fighters, patriots, satyagrahis, those who believed in non-violence, and even those who stayed home and prayed…Indian gained freedom in 1947 and not in 2014.” Stating that he did not want to get into a verbal duel with Gokhale, he said, “I don’t know what he said and what was reported by television channels, which are known for twisting things.”
Santosh Shinde of the Sambhaji Brigade said, “Gokhale supporting Ranaut should invite seditious charges…We will file a complaint with the police tomorrow (Monday).”
Mukund Kirdat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said, “We are consulting our legal team and might file a police complaint against the actor.”
Gokhale, a well known name in theatre and films, also said that the Shiv Sena and the BJP must join hands, adding he was putting in efforts to bring the two parties back together. “My efforts are on. I had personally asked Devendra Fadnavis (former CM and senior BJP leader) why he did not give CM’s post to Sena for 2.5 years. He (Fadnavis) told me that it was a mistake.”
He said that in the future too, he would personally speak to Fadnavis and CM Uddhav Thackeray.
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