Not one to keep khamosh: Biography on Shatrughan Sinha

“I don’t remain khamosh and I will not remain khamosh,” exclaimed Shatrughan Sinha during the launch of his biography Anything But Khamosh on Wednesday.

Organised by the actor-politician’s close friend T. Subbarami Reddy, the event was attended by Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, Mohan Babu and author of the book Bharathi S. Pradhan.

In a jovial mood throughout the event, Shatrughan gave an insight into his life.
“My brothers are doctors now, but I wasn’t even fit to be a compounder. It’s a different story that I later went on to be the health minister,” he said with a laugh.

“When my proposal was sent to Poonam’s (his wife) home they rejected it because I was dark and she had a milky complexion and my mother-in-law thought we would look like a black and white photo,” he said.

And about the book he said, “I was scared about how to go ahead with the book. My family members didn’t agree with a lot of what was written. But I wanted the book to be honest and transparent and so it included the grey areas too.

The book talks about how a boy from Patna steps out of his town for the first time, studies in FTII and struggles to enter the film industry without any godfather.”

“It could be an inspiration for the younger generation. Later, out of social obligations I had to enter politics. On hearing of my decision, director Subhash Ghai didn’t talk to me for months.

“If I can do it with zeal, passion and commitment then anybody can do it. Even the girls who came into my life have given me so much.”

Shotgun, who was recently in the news for supporting JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar (against his party’s diktat), added, “I had commented on it initially before the matter went to court. I had only said that based on what I’ve heard so far, the guy has not spoken against the nation. Now the court will decide if that’s true.”

Asked why he had taken a stand against what his party stood for, Shatrughan said, “Never have I gone against the party, the constitution or my nation. I’m a very proud Indian and have the highest regard for Prime Minister Modi. I wish, hope and pray that soon there will be peace and people will walk on the path of progress.”

At the start of the event, T. Subbarami Reddy mentioned how Shatrughan was “mann ka aadmi and dil ka aadmi”, Shotgun, however, quickly rectified, “Dil ki baat karta hun, mann ki nahi” (referring to PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programmes).