There should be be difference between war and art, says Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said artistes were beyond religion and country and there should be a difference between war and art.

"Artists are only artists irrespective of their religion and country. They inspire others. I think there should be a difference between war and art," he said at an event to unveil the trailer of his biopic "Anna: Kisan Baburao Hazare" to a question on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's threat to Pakistani artistes working in India to return home within 48 hours.

"We should not detest art. But if an artist is harming our country in some way, then definitely we won't tolerate that," he said.

Condemning the recent killing of 18 Indian soldiers in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, Hazare, who had seen action in the 1965 India-Pakistan war during his military service, said: "Being a neighbouring country, Pakistan should not do any harm to us. However, this is not the first time and repeatedly they are trying to damage our country.

"If they don't want to hear, I think it's time to fight. Even I am 79, I am still ready to go to the border and fight."

Hazare's biopic is directed by Shashank Udapurkar, who himself has portrayed Anna Hazare in the movie. Shashank, who has resembles the activist, has shot the film in Anna Hazare's native place, Ralegan Siddhi. The biopic delves into certain incidents from the childhood of the social activist and his fight against corruption.

The film, also starring Tanisha Mukherjee, Govind Namdeo, Sharat Saxena and Rajit Kapoor, hits the screens on October 14.

--IANS

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