Veteran actor and outspoken activist Prakash Raj has once again stirred the pot with his bold views on the Indian film industry’s reluctance to engage with political discourse. In a recent interview with Lallantop, the National Award-winning actor criticized Bollywood for staying silent on crucial issues, stating bluntly that “half of them are sold, and the other half is afraid.”
Known for his strong political stance and advocacy for free speech, Prakash Raj argued that any powerful government will naturally try to suppress dissent and dialogue. However, he believes that filmmakers and artists should possess the conviction and resilience to produce socially relevant cinema and fight for their films’ release.
“Artists Must Have the Courage to Fight”
“Any powerful government will stop discussions,” he said, emphasizing the importance of artistic resistance. “It should be within the artists also. They should have the consciousness of the kind of films they make and be willing to fight to release them. That resilience is needed.”
Raj was candid about his frustration with the industry’s passivity, even calling out his own colleagues. “Half of them are sold, my own colleagues, and half of them are afraid because they don’t have the strength,” he said. Recalling a conversation with a close friend, he shared, “He told me, ‘Prakash, you have the strength to speak up. I can’t.’ I told him that I understand, but I can’t excuse him. When history is written, it will forgive those who committed crimes, but not those who stayed silent.”
On Being Sidelined in the Industry
When asked if his activism has led to fewer roles, Raj acknowledged that the industry has, at times, distanced itself from him. “They are just worried that if they work with us in a film, they won’t get what they expect,” he said. “This is part and parcel of it. This environment is like that. But it only makes me stronger to say that this is not right, and we have to raise our voices.”
While he admits that speaking out may affect the volume of work he receives, he remains defiant. “It’s not that you won’t get work—you do and you will—but not as much,” Raj added.
The actor’s remarks come at a time when censorship and pressure from political forces are increasingly influencing the Indian entertainment landscape. Raj’s insistence on the responsibility of artists to speak up resonates as a call to action for the creative community.
Sources By Agencies
