Prakash Jha refuses to show 'Satyagraha' to team Anna

Team Anna reportedly wanted to see "Satyagraha" before its release as they fear that the political thriller shows social activist Anna Hazare in an unflattering light, but Prakash Jha is in no mood to accede to their request.

Speculation that Jha's "Satyagraha" is based on Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement and that Big B plays Anna Hazare while Ajay Devgn plays Arvind Kejrilwal is gathering momentum.

The latest on this front is that Team Anna has asked Prakash to show them the film.

Jha, known to take on political dissenters during the release of his earlier films, said: "They are free to buy tickets and see the film when it releases on Aug 30. It's a free country. No one can stop anyone from seeing any film."

Beyond that, Jha refuses to be drawn into any debate on who the film is modelled on.

"Characters in 'Satyagraha' are not modelled on Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal. People are free to speculate. During 'Raajneeti', there was widespread speculation that I had made a film on (former prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi and (his wife) Sonia," he said.

"I know there is a suspicion among Anna Hazare's supporters that I've made a film on him. My film is about a 'jehad' against corruption. But it is not based on any one particular character or campaign," he added.

Jha then quipped: "Just as democracy is our birthright, films about cleansing the democratic process are every filmmaker's birthright. Every film about fighting corruption has its own logistics."