Jaipur: It was supposed to be a literature festival. It still is for those who love books and are serious about reading and writing.
The writers, artists, academicians and general public at large still love – the once in a lifetime opportunity — to see, listen and interact famous and favourite names from the world of literature, films, theatre, sports, painting, yet, the overpowering debate on ‘intolerance’ in the country has once again eclipsed this very spirit behind Jaipur Literature Festival 2016.
Choosing to play down the intolerance debate in India, actress Kajol on Saturday said there are no such dividing lines in Bollywood.
“Our industry will always keep reflecting on what is happening in our society. It will keep on going and everyone is welcome. There are no dividing lines, no caste, no creed and no intolerance in Bollywood,” she said.
Filmmaker Karan Johar had kicked up a storm with his remarks about freedom of expression being the biggest joke in the country.
In recent months, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan too have landed in controversy for speaking up against the “growing intolerance”.
“These days people seem to have become oversensitive. As public personalties it is our duty to speak well and correctly. I have always said my ‘Mann ki baat’ and it is no different now,” she said.
A voracious reader, Kajol, who was at the JLF to launch author Ashwin Sanghi’s new book, The Sialkot Saga, said she agreed to marry husband Ajay Devgan because he promised her a library.
“I told my husband that I'll marry you only if you give me the Beauty and the Beast library. That was our love deal. That was what I received as a honeymoon gift,” she said at the cover launch of Sanghi’s book.
The actress also batted for publishers translating more literature in Hindi and other languages.
“It’s a travesty that there are so many people who cannot read a volume of literature because they don't know English,” she said.
