Reserved for BIG B

Amitabh Bachchans evening in Delhi,on Monday,started with a confession.

Amitabh Bachchans evening in Delhi,on Monday,started with a confession. This is the first time that Ive worked in an issue-based film. Some of my films did have issues woven around the story,but they were incidental, said the actor,gazing thoughtfully at the posters of Aarakshan on the walls behind him at Hotel Le Meridien. Set to release on August 12,the film revolves around the reservation in Indias education system,one of the most controversial issues of recent times.

Dressed in a cream suit,with a tika on his forehead,Bachchan was his usual eloquent and charming self as he spoke in chaste Hindi. But it was the films producer-director,Prakash Jha,who did most of the talking. He also clarified that the slogan of the film India vs India,was not inspired by Rahul Gandhis Bharat vs India. Hum do Bharat ke beech ki khai darshana chaahte hain (I want to show the gap between two Indias).

Rubbishing talk that the film is based on real life characters and instances,the producer-director added,The film is not about Super 30 or Rehmani 30 (educational schemes in Bihar). It is just about a college professor,Prabhakar Anand,who believes that all his students have the right to equal opportunity in life.

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With the 2006 Supreme Court ruling that 49.5 per cent seats will be reserved for OBCs in the educational institutions,Aarakshans release may lead to controversies,but Jha is not apprehensive.

My movie may not offer any solution,but it will state the pain of both sides. Aarakshan (reservation) is already there,but my movie shows how to drive the youth through this situation, he said. The remaining star cast of the film Deepika Padukone,Saif Ali Khan,Manoj Bajpai and Pratiek remained conspicuous by their absence. They will come together for the promotion before the films release,but for now Mr. Bachchan is enough to pull the crowds, observed the director,who seemed to be in a defensive mood.

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