Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his iconic roles as Shaktimaan and Bhishma Pitamah, has once again taken a strong stand against what he calls the "degrading influence" of modern Bollywood cinema. While speaking to the media at the launch of Paheli Geet 2 in Mumbai, Khanna launched a scathing attack on recent films and filmmakers for spreading what he believes are dangerous and disrespectful messages.
“This is not just a song launch,” Khanna began, “It’s a message. Just a few days ago, my new film Vishwaguru released in Gujarat — my debut in Gujarati cinema. It’s a meaningful, message-driven film. And I want to say this clearly: our youth are being misled. Outside organizations, platforms, and so-called creators are poisoning young minds. They are feeding them violence, guns, and garbage in the name of entertainment. They are not just ruining our youth — they are destroying our land, agriculture, and even our medicinal systems.”
Khanna didn’t hold back as he took direct aim at Animal, the controversial blockbuster starring Ranbir Kapoor. “I urge everyone to support films like Vishwaguru. And I say, without hesitation — films like Animal should be banned. Yes, I’m saying it. I am against films like Animal. I’m also not against it — meaning, I recognize that it may have made money, but the message it delivers is absolutely wrong. Don’t glorify a film just because it earned at the box office. If it promotes a toxic message, it doesn’t deserve praise. Period.”
The veteran actor then turned his criticism towards Aamir Khan’s PK, calling it out for its portrayal of religious figures. “Let me say this loud and clear — I am against any film that disrespects religion. In PK, they made fun of Shankar Bhagwan — and people keep defending it in the name of ‘freedom of expression.’ I say — my foot! If you have the guts, try mocking the religious beliefs of Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians. There will be riots in the streets. But because Hindu Dharma is tolerant, these filmmakers think they can get away with anything. Shame on them!”
He concluded with a powerful message to the industry: “Such producers and directors should hang their heads in shame. They are polluting our society and calling it cinema. Bollywood needs to wake up and realize that responsibility comes with influence. Enough of selling poison wrapped in gloss and glamour.”