Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, held a programme in Delhi named 'Change Within Meet', an initiative that marked Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The event was not just attended by political heavyweights but included the who's who of Bollywood, namely Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ekta Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Rakul Preet Singh and several others. However, this meet served to be a memorable moment for the stars present, it apparently didn't go down well with celebrities down South, who were nowhere to be seen at the event. South cinema personalities including actor Ram Charan's wife Upasana Konidela, soon after pictures from the celebration went viral on social media platforms, expressed her grievance and felt Southern industry was completely neglected and said this fact was painful for her to accept.
"Dearest @narendramodi ji. We in the South of INDIA admire you & are Proud to have you as our Prime Minister. With all due respect, we felt that the representation of Leading personalities & cultural icons was limited only to Hindi Artists and The South Film Industry was neglected. I express my feelings with pain & hope it’s taken in the right spirit. Jai Hind," Upasana wrote on her Instagram account while sharing a picture of PM Modi with Shah Rukh and Aamir.
Not just Upasana, but veteran actress Khushbu Sundar also expressed her disagreement. She, on Twitter, wrote that not just Hindi films, but the South industry also plays an important role in helping the economy. She further added that South films represent the nation globally and are credited to some of the finest actors and technicians. "With al due respects to all those who met our H’ble PM @narendramodi ji last eve on behalf of Indian cinema, would like to remind @PMOIndia that Hindi films alone do not represent or contribute to the economy of this country. South Indian cinema is the largest contributor. South Indian cinema represents our country globally. The best of talent comes from south india. The biggest superstars come from south india. India’s best actors belong to south india. Best technicians are South Indian. So why was South industry not invited? Why this inequality?" Khushbu questioned. Khushbu, further expecting for some recognition with Hindi film stars, wrote, "Would really appreciate if my pioneers and peers who have made South Indian cinema a pride of the country, are invited and shown same respect as I feel they rightly deserve it. Expecting @PMOIndia to look into it."
With al due respects to all those who met our H’ble PM @narendramodi ji last eve on behalf of Indian cinema, would like to remind @PMOIndia that Hindi films alone do not represent or contribute to the economy of this country. South Indian cinema is the largest contributor.. cont.
— KhushbuSundar master of all trades, jack of non (@khushsundar) October 20, 2019
South Indian cinema represents our country globally. The best of talent comes from south india. The biggest superstars come from south india. India’s best actors belong to south india. Best technicians are South Indian. So why was South industry not invited? Why this inequality?
— KhushbuSundar master of all trades, jack of non (@khushsundar) October 20, 2019
Would really appreciate if my pioneers and peers who have made South Indian cinema a pride of the country, are invited and shown same respect as I feel they rightly deserve it. Expecting @PMOIndia to look into it.
— KhushbuSundar master of all trades, jack of non (@khushsundar) October 20, 2019
Well, with this amount of disagreement being expressed, all we hope is PM Narendra Modi takes them into consideration and we get to see the best of both the worlds.
(Source: Instagram/Twitter)
