Mumbai, Jan 15: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has said that the imposition of Emergency was an attack on democracy and the principles for which the leaders of the independence struggle had fought.
“Emergency was an attack on democracy and the democratic principles our leaders had fought for. Media bore the maximum brunt because of censorship and there was anger against the system among the youth of that time,” said Bachchan, who was once close to the Gandhi family.
The 69-year-old Bollywood icon, elected on a Congress ticket in the 1984 general elections from Allahabad, was the guest editor of the Sunday edition of a Marathi daily.
Airing his views on his “angry young man” image, Big B said he had never tried to deliberately cultivate it.
“It was just part of my job. There were stories which reflected anger of the youth against the system which was evident especially during the Emergency period,” he said, adding that the anger of the youth came out, not necessarily due to Emergency, in forms of various character he played.
Emergency was imposed in country for 21-months by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977.
On Mumbai, Bachchan said the city emanated so much energy that it inspired each of its residents.
“Delhi is a completely political city and you are known by who knows you and whom you know. Whereas in Mumbai, everybody is equal,” he said.
Bachchan admitted that he has not read many authors but is still in the process of understanding his father Pandit Harivanshrai Bachchan's works.
“I read his work every day and as per his wish, one page each of ‘Ramayan' and ‘Bhagvad Geeta'. My father had translated ‘Bhagvad Geeta' as ‘Jan Geeta'.
His celebrated work ‘Madhushala' was first translated into Marathi.
“There are several good writers and poets in the film industry and I often organise small get togethers at my home where we discuss literature and poetry. Even though there are many kavi sammelans happening in different parts of the country, they are more towards humour. The sensitivity is lost,” he said.
