New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) Expressing surprise over the controversy generated over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati', renowned writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar on Saturday said the story of 'Padmavati' is as much a work of fiction as that of Salim's Anarkali.

Participating in a session in 'Sahitya Aaj Tak', Javed Akhtar said, 'Padmavati's story is as much fictional as that of Salim's Anarkali,'

Speaking during the programme, the writer lyricist slammed those trying to impose Nationalism on others.

'Some people think of themselves as the nation . If you oppose, you are dubbed as 'anti-national'.

These leaders will not be there forever but the country will always be there. If a leader thinks, he is the nation, he has a misconception. If you look at history, it has often happened that a party, an ideology and a leader think of themselves as symbolising the country. That is wrong.

'Our commitment is for the country. 'There is a difference between country and state. Maybe my commitment is not for the government. However, commitment to one's country cannot be altered,' he said.

On the controversy around the Taj Mahal and the renaming of roads, he said, "No list of great leaders of the country can be completed without including the name of Akbar in it. He was a great man who could

see 500 years ahead. At a time when Europe did not understand the idea of secularism, a man (Akbar) in India was not only understanding it but also implementing it. It is surprise if some people say that Akbar,

Jahangir and Shah Jahan were outsiders.'

UNI AR RSA 1900