Mumbai: Kabir Khan, the director of films such as ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ and ‘New York’ said that he cannot respect films that demonise the Mughals, whom he described as the ‘original nation builders’. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said that he finds it ‘problematic and disturbing’ to watch films that demonise the Mughals because they’re made ‘just to go with the popular narrative’ and aren’t based on ‘historical evidence’.
“I find it hugely problematic and disturbing, because what really makes me upset is that it’s being done just to go with the popular narrative. I can understand when a filmmaker has researched something and a filmmaker wants to make a point… Of course, there can be different viewpoints. If you want to demonise the Mughals, please base it on some research and make us understand why; why they were the villains that you think they were. Because if you do some research and read history, it’s very tough to understand why they have to be villainised. I think they were the original nation-builders, and to write them off and say they murdered people… But what are you basing it on? Please point out the historical evidence. Please have an open debate, just don’t go with the narrative that you think will be popular,” Hindustan Times reported quoting Bollywood Hungama
He added, “It’s the easiest thing today, demonising the Mughals and various other Muslim rulers that India had at different points in its history. Trying to fit them into preconceived stereotypes, it is distressing. I cannot respect those films, unfortunately. That’s my personal opinion, of course, I can’t speak for larger audiences, but I definitely get upset by those kind of portrayals.”
