Filmmaker Iqbal Durrani wants to join politics

Ranchi, March 1 (IANS) Filmmaker Iqbal Durrani is planning to join politics, from the state where he was born.

After a gap of 20 years, Durrani's love for his birthplace, Jharkhand, seems to have gripped him. He came to Ranchi from Mumbai to assess the ground situation and he wants to espouse the cause of this state.

Durrani was born in a village in Deoghar district of Jharkhand. His father was teacher in government school.

'If people of the state desire I am ready to join politics,' said Durrani talking to the media here Saturday.

He said: 'I was born here and I want to do something for my soil.' After carving a niche for himself in Bollywood, he wants to contribute to his home state.

In his two-decade career in Bollywood, Durrani has made his presence felt in script writing and direction.

Durrani said he was hurt and upset by the manner in which Raj Thackeray attacked people from Bihar and Jharkhand recently. 'Mumbai belongs to all. Even non-Maharashtrians have given sweat, blood and tears to build Mumbai and the statement of Raj Thackeray only leads to hatred,' he said.

'If Raj Thackeray can strengthen the slogan of `Jai Maharashtra', then I will do whatever little contribution possible for my state and make people here feel proud by saying `Jai Jharkhand'.'

Some of the films for which he has written scripts include 'Khuddar', 'Benaam Badhsah', 'Kohram', 'Phool aur Kante', 'Dhartiputra' and 'Betaaj Badhshah'.

Durrani also wants a film studio to be made in Jharkhand. 'This is a beautiful place. If a film studio comes up here, then it will be a boon for Bhojpuri, Bengali and other regional languages films,' he said.