'Sarbjit' isn't meant to bash Pakistan: Randeep Hooda

The movie is based on Sarabjit Singh who was killed by fellow prisoners at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore

Bollywood actor, Randeep Hooda, who plays Sarabjit Singh in his upcoming film, Sarbjit, claims that the film does not show Pakistan in a bad light.

"I don’t think there is any Pakistan bashing per say in the film. But yes, there are a lot of prisoners over there and some are subjected to atrocities. I am not sure if that happens here as well...If you treat somebody for such things just because of their nationality and not their crime, then, if it happens in India or Pakistan, it is always wrong,” Hindustan Times reports the actor as saying.

Sarabjit Singh died on May 2, 2013 after he was attacked by his fellow prisoners at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. The Indian national was sentenced to death for a series of bomb attacks in the 1990s.



The director, Omung Kumar said that the movie is not about belittling the image of Pakistan, rather it is about the life of a man who was stuck between the political climate of the neighbouring countries.

Dna reports Omung as saying, "We are sending it (the film) to them for their censor (board). There is nothing objectionable in the film. We would like it to release everywhere. We have just told the facts and these are from both sides, India as well as Pakistan."

Omung wants the Pakistan censor board to watch the film before making a decision. "Once they see the film it will be clear to them. Without seeing the film anybody can say it's a wrong thing. They should see the film and take a judgement on it," he said.

Randeep added that the film merely portrays the life of a common man, who was stuck between the intense political climate of India and Pakistan. “The film is based in a Pakistan prison. But there is nothing that we are bashing a country like Pakistan. It’s just a situation where a normal person is stuck between the political ups and downs between the two countries,” reports Hindustan Times.



The actor was speaking at a special prayer meet organised to commemorate the third death anniversary of Sarbajit who died on May 2, 2013. The film’s entire cast, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Richa Chaddha, Darshan Kumar and producer Jacky Bhagnani were also present along with Sarbajit’s sister Dalbir Kaur, his wife and his daughter.

PHOTO: HINDUSTANTIMES

Aishwariya Rai, who was visibly emotional along with the entire cast and crew after Sarbajit's sister, Dalbir’s speech, said she was honoured to play the part. “It is their (family’s) story, their film, they have a birth right to be privy and yet they extended liberty, faith and grace, which is truly commendable. Your story does need to reach far and wide,” the Jazba star said.

Sarbjit is scheduled to release on May 20, 2016.