Sad that student chose death over life: Prakash Jha

Filmmaker Prakash Jha, known for his politically charged movies, on Wednesday said it was sad that a Dalit student chose death over life.

"... a student felt death is better than life. What kind of a situation he was in that drove him to commit suicide... it is pathetic," Jha told the media when asked about his views on the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula.

In the city to promote "Jai Gangaajal" (sequel to the hit "Gangaajal"), the National Award winner said his research team was working on the issue that there was one suicide every 10-15 days last year in Kota in Rajasthan, known as the hub for tutorials and coaching classes.

"I have been tweeting about it. I am definitely worried about it. Why have we stopped studying humanities? Every student either wants to become a manager or an engineer," he lamented.

Asked whether he would make a film based on his research, Jha said: "I am not sure, it may take a few years."

With Priyanka Chopra donning khaki for the film, "Jai Gangaajal" aims to examine the current society-police relationship on the big screen.

"It mirrors the time we live in. Today, police is not able to function independently. Criticism is heaped on them by the public and nobody lauds them. It is challenging... the way they stay true to their job," explained Jha.

Asked whether he has dealt with the ongoing debate on intolerance in the film, the director said he has not "directly" dealt with it in the movie.

Jha will also be seen playing the role of a police officer in the movie that will hit the screens in March. The filmmaker said he was open to acting offers.