India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th of October hosted a ‘Change Within‘ meet at his residence.
Several prominent Movie actors, producers, and musicians were invited to discuss and mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
From the Bollywood Industry, several popular actors and Filmmakers like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Jacqueline Fernandez, Imtiaz Ali, Ekta Kapoor, Anurag Basu, Sonam Kapoor, Sonu Nigam, Kapil Sharma, Rajkumar Hirani, Boney Kapoor and many others graced the event.
From the South Film Industry, a few Celebrities including popular singer SP Balasubramanyam, producer Dil Raju and few more others graced the event.
However, the way South Indian Celebrities were treated at the event sparked so much controversy.
I was asked to leave cellphone with the security personnel, but I was bewildered at the STARS taking Selfies with the PM on that day, says SP Balasubramanyam.
On 2nd of November, SP Balasubramanyam (SPB) on his Facebook page wrote, “I am grateful to Ramoji Raoji, (Eenadu), because of whom I was able to attend a reception hosted by our Hon. Prime Minister at his home on the 29th of Oct.”
“Upon entering the premises, we were asked to leave our cellphones with the security personnel and were given tokens for the same. But I was bewildered at the STARS taking selfies with the PM on that day,” SPB wrote.
“THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM?????,” he added.
Khushbu Sundar and Upasana Konidela also made comments on the event.
South movie actress Khushbu Sundar on 20th of October questioned India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting only Hindi film actors at Mahatma Gandhi event.
Khushbu Sundar took to social media platform Twitter and wrote, “With all due respects to all those who met our H’ble PM Narendra Modi ji last eve on behalf of Indian cinema, would like to remind PM Of India that Hindi films alone do not represent or contribute to the Economy of this country.”
South Indian Cinema is the largest contributor and it represents our country globally, she wrote.
She also wrote, “The Best of talent comes from south india. The biggest Superstars come from south india. India’s Best Actors belong to south india. Best technicians are South Indian.”
“So why was South industry not invited? Why this inequality?” she questioned Modi.
She further said, “Would really appreciate if my pioneers and peers who have made South Indian cinema a pride of the country, are invited and shown same respect as I feel they rightly deserve it. Expecting PM fO India to look into it.”
South Megastar Chiranjeevi’s daughter-in-law and wife of actor-cum-producer Ram Charan Upasana Konidela also questioned Narendra Modi for inviting only Hindi film actors at Mahatma Gandhi event.
Upasana on 20th of October took to social media platform Twitter and wrote, “Dearest Narendra Modi ji. We in the South of India admire you and are proud to have you as our Prime Minister. With all due respect we felt that the representation of leading personalities and cultural icons was limited only to Hindi Artists and the South Film Industry was completely neglected. I express my feelings with pain and hope it’s taken in the right spirit.”
This of course not the first time the famous personalities from South India are raising their voice against North Leadership and its bias against South.
In April 2017, JanaSena party chief Pawan Kalyan was also observed criticizing the BJP-led-NDA Government for being partial to the North.
Pawan Kalyan raised his voice repeatedly on the issue of imposition of Hindi in South states and also challenged North leaders to at least speak in one South language.
Pawan Kalyan criticized North Political leadership on the issue of “North-South” disparity.
Pawan Kalyan said, “North Indian Political Leadership should understand & respect the cultural diversity of our Country.”
“If centre doesn’t respect the Sub-National identity in a country like ours; which is known for its cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity then.. they are creating fertile breeding grounds for separatist movements,” Pawan Kayan said.
DMK leader, MK Stalin also slammed the Central Government for imposing Hindi on non-Hindi residents of the country, and he asked the government to give up its efforts to sideline non-Hindi speaking people.
Later at NITI Aayog meeting of the Chief Ministers, PM Narendra Modi unlocked the idea of making South languages mandatory in the schools of North to promote National Integrity.
