By Nirendra Dev

New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) Contrary to general impression that 'intolerance' debate has tarnished the image of the Modi regime, Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi has said that the large number of allegations of 'intolerance' has actually gone in favour of the Prime Minister.
'Mujhe lagta hae yeh yeh alochana ek sacchi democracy ka pratik hae, (I think such allegation is only a bigger proof of true democracy). These have only proved on the contrary that Modi’s regime has been one of the most tolerant dispensations,' Mr Oberoi told UNI in an interview here.
'Such allegations (of intolerance) and varied opinion including from Bollywood proves that one could make all kinds of allegations against this government. This is true democracy. Whatever is your view, you can express,' he said.
In this context, therefore he said – 'I salute such a Prime Minister who did not take any action against people who made these charges (of intolerance)'.
'Did you see any one being subjected to facing cases or any harassment,' said Oberoi, who was in the capital for first screening of the biopic ‘PM- Narendra Modi’ here on Monday.
Asked what would be his impression about the film stars – including the likes of legendary actors Naseeruddin Shah, for his remarks against the Modi government, Oberoi said: 'Unka haq hae bhai (This is their right. You also can bring out a protest march against Modiji in Delhi)'.
Shah had few moths back criticised the Modi government, saying that the country was becoming extremely intolerant under this dispensation.
Asked about his chances of formally joining BJP or seeking formal positions like Rajya Sabha berth, Oberoi said – 'Mein thoda sa pagal hoon (I am little mad about certain things. But I speak out very frankly. There is hardly any difference of what I say or what I think. I have received political offers from 2004 from various parties, but I have always stayed away from these'.
To a question he said, 'offers for parliamentary elections came from regional parties and also national parties'.
"One such offer came even for a by-election,' he mentioned adding, 'every time I have said no. Because I feel, I will not be able to maintain the so called disciplinary code of a political party. I may end up speaking against my own party leaders at times'.
He said as it is, he is undertaking various social works and he is certainly happy about those.
Asked to list out one 'big thing' Prime Minister Modi should do in next five years – if elected – Oberoi said: 'As a common man, I would say that single big thing will be to ensure higher empowerment of women through education'.
On what as Prime Minister, Mr Modi should not do – the noted film star said – 'We all know, Prime Minister works very hard for the country ....say even for 20 hours a day. But I would request him to find time for himself and spend some time as he did lately in a meditation in Kedarnath'.
"My film was never a propaganda but there was huge propaganda against my film. That was sad," he said.
Oberoi lambasted the opposition parties, saying 'those who criticised me and opposed our film perhaps they did not have confidence in their own work and politics".
"It was extremely erroneous to suggest that I am making a hero out of Mr Modi in the biopic. The fact of the matter is we made a film on him because he is already a hero," Oberoi said.
Oberoi said portraying the role of chief protagonist in the film is going to leave lasting impact on him.
"I have been stating that crores of Indians have made Modi popular," he said.
The film launch was opposed by opposition parties on the eve of elections and was stayed by the Election Commission.
It was screened here on Monday evening in presence of the film star and a galaxy of central ministers and BJP leaders.
A two-hour long film cannot portray the entire life and works of the Prime Minister, he said.
'The film will be released in cinema halls on May 24, Friday. On May 23, PM Modi will be re-elected and the next day, the film will be screened in cinema halls and also in many foreign countries,” he said.
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