New Delhi:
Farhan Akhtar, who has essayed the role of a prisoner in his latest film Lucknow Central, believes that reformed criminals must be given a chance to start their lives afresh.
Lucknow Central, which was released on Friday, is the story of four prisoners who form a music band.
Farhan, when asked if he as an individual would be open to employing a former prisoner in his company, told IANS, “Well, we have to look at the larger picture. Yes, tomorrow if you are introducing me to someone saying he is looking for a job and had a criminal record, for a moment I might sit back and the thought might cross my mind that he was a criminal; I think that is only human.”
“But we have to look at the larger picture for the betterment of our society. According to our laws, a person who commits a crime, goes to jail and, based on the severity and brutality of his crime, he serves a sentence — and comes out as a reformed individual.”
“We have to understand they are all normal people and that the crime (may have) happened in a moment of madness. So, accepting these people in the mainstream of society could inspire many not to attempt crime and we can build a better society.”
Farhan further added that whatever vocational training prisoners receive while incarcerated they must put it to better use.
