“Difficult to discuss any issue in media” – Irrfan Khan

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Irrfan Khan got into a controversy while promoting Madari when he raised questions about the way Baqr-i-Eid is celebrated in India. When Bollywood Hungama‘s Faridoon Shahryar asked for his views on the Sonu Nigam’s Azaan controversy and how things are being blown out of proportion, Irrfan said that he hopes for responsible media because today whatever is said is conveniently twisted and sensationalised. He is also concerned about the way India is being perceived by people in other countries.

There is this huge controversy surrounding Sonu Nigam’s reservations about loudspeakers used for Azaan. He is being dubbed as anti Muslim which he is not. You had some valid points about the way Baqr-i-Eid is celebrated in India which was twisted and the context was changed. How do you look at this phenomenon of celebrities making a credible statement but they’re represented in an unethical manner by the media. 
The problem is that in this age of Social media, news originates, then travels. People don’t try to scratch that where exactly did it come from. You start believing in that story. You don’t even know what exactly did the person concerned say and in what context did he say it. I think it should be media’s responsibility to put things in proper context so if there is a debate then we get something out of this debate. The debate should not become a source to make more noise, more controversy and make it just a headline. That is my problem and that’s why it is difficult to discuss any kind of issue in media right now. I wish we could have responsible channels, responsible platforms where we could go and discuss these serious matters.

And then you should be having the faith and confidence that you shall be presented properly 
Everybody is looking for a headline. They twist it and turn it and put it in a wrong context. I faced it. The helpless situation is that you don’t even know what was it that you said in the first place so it is difficult to comment on anything like that.

We have always tried to present your point of view objectively. 
Oh yes oh yes. But what you would present they will take something out of it and twist it. This is what Irrfan said in an interview with Faridoon and out of five lines remove two and the context will change. It is unfortunate, very unfortunate. For any growing nation, a healthy debate is very important. It is necessary and if you don’t have that then it is sad.

In a way it is taking the country backwards.
Oh yes. It affects the perception of your country.

When you travel abroad do you come across statements about India which are not flattering especially with regards to strange regressive things happening regularly?
When you read write ups about what’s happening in your country, when your country is perceived that it lacks openness and you can’t discuss things, you feel bad about it. You don’t want this perception to be prevalent.

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