Rajkummar Rao Speaks Out on Hindi-Marathi Language Debate and Social Media Pressure
Rajkummar Rao Discusses Language Controversy in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Actor Rajkummar Rao has weighed in on the ongoing discussions regarding the Hindi-Marathi language issue in Maharashtra, shedding light on the lack of commentary from Hindi film stars on such critical matters.
In a recent interview, the 'Stree' star expressed his thoughts on why not all actors feel compelled to voice their opinions on every issue, emphasizing that silence does not equate to apathy. When questioned about whether actors in the Hindi film industry shy away from controversial subjects to maintain political correctness, Rao stated that individuals should speak on matters they are passionate about, rather than feeling obligated to do so.
He elaborated that while actors are often sensitive to societal issues, the expectation to publicly express these feelings, particularly on social media, can be misleading. Rajkummar Rao remarked, “If there’s an issue you feel strongly about, you should discuss it. However, it’s not essential to comment on every topic. Just because you don’t share something on social media doesn’t imply you don’t care. That notion is quite odd. I have immense love for my country.”
He continued, “Beyond national pride, I feel deeply affected by various events. As actors, we are inherently sensitive individuals. It pains me when I see distressing news. But if I choose not to share my feelings online, it’s assumed I am indifferent. Since when did social media become the benchmark for measuring empathy? There are countless individuals who aren’t active on social media yet feel deeply.”
Rao also shared personal experiences, recalling how he was moved to tears by footage of an airplane crash during a shoot, yet opted not to express those emotions on social media.
“I cried upon seeing those airplane crash images. We were filming at that time. But is it necessary to broadcast my emotional response online? It’s a personal sentiment, and over-sharing on social media can sometimes diminish the essence of those feelings.”
In related news, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have voiced their opposition to the proposal of introducing Hindi as a third language in Marathi-medium and other government schools. Recently, the Maharashtra government suggested making Hindi an optional third language in state-run educational institutions.