Sara Ali Khan disheartened by ban of 'Kedarnath' in Uttarakhand

Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s daughter Sara Ali Khan kick-started her Bollywood journey with Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath. Also starring Sushant Singh Rajput, the movie did moderately well at the box office and garnered many appreciations from the audience across the country. Sara’s performance in her debut film was highly appreciated and the young star has already established a huge fan base across the quarters. However, the film was banned in seven districts of Uttarakhand, owing to the protests by Hindu outfits. The rising star is quite disheartened by the ban and says the idea behind the film is “not to divide but unite people”.

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The decision has been taken by District Magistrates concerned in view of the situation prevailing in their areas, ADG (law and order) Ashok Kumar told PTI on Friday. There will be no screening of the film in seven districts of the state where Hindu outfits have protested against the film burning effigies of film-makers, Ashok added.

Kedarnath is a romantic flick which revolves around the disastrous 2013 Uttarakhand floods. Soon after the trailer was launched, the film landed in a pit of troubles when Teerth purohits (priests) of the shrine town of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand’s Chardham demanded that a blanket ban is imposed on the movie stating that it hurts the Hindu religious sentiments and promotes ‘Love Jihad’. 

Sara was unable to understand the reason for the ban on the film and exclaimed that for her, caste and religion has a different view altogether.

“I don’t consider ethnicity, religion, caste as markers and consider them as divisive. I don’t think the film does either. The film is not about dividing you, it rather calls for coming together. I don’t know how people are feeling hurt. I don’t think they have seen the film.”

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However, the Kedarnath star understands and respects the concerns. She says that as an actor all she can do is give her 100 per cent to the film.

“I have to respect that thought process as well. As an actor none of this in my hands. The only thing that is in my hands is to perform the given role, which I have done to my best. There is an element of regret that I can’t share it (the film) with people who have shared their lives with me,” she said.

Sara, who made her Bollywood debut, with this love saga was lauded by the critics and audiences across the country, for her outstanding performance.

The actor will soon be seen on the big screen opposite Ranveer Singh in Simmba, directed by Rohit Shetty. Produced under the banner of Karan Johar’s Dharma Production, the film is slated to hit the theatres on December 28.