Javed Akhtar says worry of ED, CBI, source of revenue tax raids stops most sensible Bollywood actors from talking out, remembers Meryl Streep’s viral speech towards Donald Trump – The Times of India

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who is understood for his outspoken perspectives towards the central executive, lately shared why many Bollywood celebrities, particularly most sensible stars, select to stay silent on political issues. Speaking on Kapil Sibal’s YouTube channel, Akhtar stated it isn’t indifference however worry that holds them again.He drew a comparability with Hollywood, mentioning Meryl Streep’s daring speech on the 2017 Golden Globe Awards, the place she criticised then-US President Donald Trump.“Meryl Streep gave a statement [against the US government], but there was no income tax raid on her,” Akhtar stated. “Whether this insecurity is real or not, I don’t want to get into that debate. But the perception exists. If this fear is in one’s heart, then they will worry about the ED, the CBI, an income tax raid… that their files will be opened and they’ll be investigated.”He additionally clarified that this worry isn’t rooted throughout the movie business itself. “They may be in the industry, but they live in the same society. They operate like ordinary people. There’s just more dhoom-dhaam in this profession,” he added.Akhtar maintained that he doesn’t blame others for opting for silence. “I might be one of the few voices speaking up, but I understand why others might not,” he stated.

Streep’s Golden Globe speech, which Akhtar referenced, changed into a viral second in 2017. Accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, she stated, “There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart—not because it was good; there was nothing good about it—but it was effective and it did its job. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter—someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. It broke my heart.”