Addressing a press conference here early this week, Jackie said the unholy alliance has been part of the film world. Because of the recession film producers have been attracted towards taking financial help from the underworld. It was unfortunate though that they also had to face the consequences of the liaison.

On his part Jackie said he had always tried to remain `clean'. As such he had never had any problem from the underworld unlike many of his counterparts who have needed police protection. Some have even hired private security to protect themselves. However, it is a well-known fact that the alliance with the underworld has been everywhere else in society, so the film world should not be seen with a jaundiced eye, he pleaded.

Asked why a majority of the Hindi films fail to click at the box office, Jackie said onereason was the high entertainment tax charged by the government. Secondly, over the years the rates of the cinema tickets had increased considerably and gone beyond the reach of the average middle class. Since prices of other commodities too had increased it is very difficult for people to spend more on entertainment now, he said. People would rather buy onions at Rs 40 a kilo than pay that much for a cinema ticket, he said.

Jackie appealed to the government to abolish entertainment tax so that the film industry could survive. The cable and video piracy too must be curbed.

Refusing to comment on the fate of the banned Marathi play, `Me Nathuram Godsey Boltoi', he said he would not like to comment on subjects with political overtones. He had never been interested in politics. Main sirf ek abhineta hoon, mujhe neta na banao, he pleaded.

Talking about the role of the Censor Board, Jackie said it has an useful role to play in society and it should never be abolished. Some changes should be madethough to make its functions more smooth, he suggested.

Jackie's forthcoming films are Bandhan, Jad, Grahan and Aag hi Aag. In his free time he loves to cook and playing with children. Social service also interests him. He loves Nagpur because of its cleanliness and less crowds, said Jackie.