Mahesh Bhatt photographed in Mumbai.
Mahesh Bhatt has supported the filmmakers who have returned their National Awards.
Several celebrities including Anil Kapoor and Hema Malini have criticised this stance. However Mr Bhatt said that they are entitled to their opinions.(Also Read:
Bollywood Divided: 9 Actors Who Don't See the Point in Returning Awards)
"I find nothing wrong in the fact that filmmakers are returning their National Awards. It is a brave act. They, as citizens of India are entitled to express their dissent through the means which they choose. If this is how they want to express their unhappiness about the existing atmosphere in the country and growing violence, then that is their privilege," Mr Bhatt told PTI.
"I think after they started expressing and others joined it, the government did send a representative, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who approached the leaders of the industry. This is the result of the agitation, and the whole
awardwapsi process," added Mr Bhatt.
When Mr Bhatt was asked whether he would return his National Awards, he said, "Since I never went to accept them, how can I return them."