Disheartened on 'Kedarnath' ban, but respect people's concerns, says Sara Ali Khan

Sara Ali Khan, whose debut film "Kedarnath" has been banned in Uttarakhand, is "disheartened" by the move and says the idea behind the film is "not to divide but unite people".

The film, set against the backdrop of the natural tragedy in the temple town of Kedarnath, is a love story of a Hindu girl (Sara) and a Muslim porter (Sushant Singh Raput). Those seeking ban on the film have accused it of hurting Hindu sentiments and promoting love jihad.

"The dream was that I could pass on this story to some people. We shot the film in Uttarakhand, we stayed there for 40 days, I have best memories of my career there. It is very disheartening to not give back to them because they have given me so much. And that is the only real regret," Sara told PTI.

The young actor was unable to understand the reason for the ban on the film and said she has a different view on "caste and religion".

"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."
"You can't distinguish me from 'Kedarnath'. But if people say 'Kedarnath' is waahiyad (pathetic) I would not be happy as it is my first film."
"I have to stay grounded and be real and continue doing my best. The reviews, opinions, comments will keep coming and going, I have to do my best."