Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has produced a Sikkimese film, came under attack after calling the hill state insurgency-troubled. She has apologised to the Sikkim government, which sought another apology in more “clear-cut terms”.
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Demand for apology:
- Netizens on Thursday slammed Priyanka for being “politically illiterate”
- after she spoke about Sikkim in an interview on the sidelines of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
- She was discussing “Pahuna: The Little Visitors”, her Sikkimese production which premiered at the gala.
- Sikkim Tourism Minister Ugen T. Gyatso termed Priyanka’s statements as “unfortunate”.
- “I have received an apology letter. We have to be satisfied with it,” said Gyatso, adding:
- “She must have thought Sikkim is like other northeastern states. It’s a very peaceful state.”
- The state government has sought another letter of apology from the actress.
- Sikkim Tourism Secretary C. Zangpo Bhutia said:
- “We have received an apology note from Priyanka Chopra for her comments, where she has written ‘I tender an apology’.
- But we are not satisfied. We have asked her to send us another letter in more clear-cut terms.”
- Asked what the Sikkim government felt about Priyanka’s comments, he said:
- “Whatever she said is totally unacceptable. This has tarnished the image of our state.
- So we asked her to take back her statement and apologise to us. But as we are not satisfied with her first letter.
- We are waiting for a fresh note from her.”
- Priyanka, who now divides her time between the US and India, is yet to issue an official statement.
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The Widely slammed remark :
- Priyanka’s film “Pahuna…” is about three Nepalese children who get
- separated from their parents, escape the Maoists in Nepal and flee to Sikkim.
- Talking about the movie to ET Canada, Priyanka said: “This is a Sikkimese film.
- Sikkim is a small state in the northeast of India which never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there.
- And this is the first film ever that’s come out of that region because it’s very troubled with insurgency and troubling situations.” This remark was widely slammed.
- “Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states, dear Priyanka. We don’t have any insurgency here.
- Please comment responsibly,” tweeted Santosh Subban from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
- In addition Tawqeer Hussain said:
- “Celebs like her are ‘politically illiterate’. Earlier, many celebs (didn’t) know the name of the President of India. So don’t expect them to be politically correct.”
- Biswatosh Sinha, a scriptwriter from Assam, wrote:
- “Dear Priyanka Chopra, Sikkim is a peaceful place and Pahuna is not the first film from the region. Plz get the facts right.”
- Incidentally, Priyanka is the tourism ambassador of BJP-ruled Assam.
- Furthermroe, directed by first-timer Paakhi A. Tyrewala, “Pahuna…” was launched as
- an association between Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra’s banner Purple Pebble Pictures and Sikkim’s Ministry of Tourism.