Aarakshan:Stars have no opinion on it

Reservation: In real, stars play their roles with caution

Bachchan, Deepika and Saif Ali Khan, the main cast of Prakash Jha's upcoming film Aarakshan, refused to take the bait at an interaction with the media on Friday, when asked for their opinion on the controversial subject.

Taking different routes, they avoided taking any position and preferred to glorify the beauty of Bhopal, where the film is being shot, and its people, many of whom feature in the film in roles that Jha described as "talking."

The director himself was non-committal when asked whether the film was against reservation or for it. "It's neither but the film tries to bring out the emotional pain," Jha said. Bachchan gave a cryptic reply. "I say the lines given to me by the director. I will keep my opinion private," said Bachchan, who plays a principal in the film.

When asked about his character's take on the issue, Bachchan said, "Those who are poor should get education." There are reports a long speech in the film by the veteran actor on the volatile topic was shot with extra care to make the words sound 'apolitical.'

"Reservation" means "reservation" Padukone said when asked what the word meant to her. She plays a college student with Bachchan as her father.

"I would not like to reveal my role," she said after praising the view from her hotel room, which had "a calming effect on her." "I have no opinion on the issue. I will make no political comment," Saif said when asked for his views on reservation in general and reservation for Muslims in particular.

The only other issue that appeared to agitate Saif was gossip about his relationship with Kareena Kapoor, who incidentally was in Bhopal on Thursday, though she has no role in the movie.