Vidya Balan: 'Politicians want to divide and rule!'

Pratibha Devasenapathy| Nov 2, 2017, 06.53 PM IST

Vidya Balan is known not just for her talent as an actor but also for her vivacious nature. She immediately lights up the room as soon as she enters one and her impeccable energy is so contagious that you can't help but just stay in awe of her.

All set to rule our hearts once again with 'Tumhari Sulu', Vidya recently opened up about something that most actors refrain from commenting. Speaking to a leading entertainment portal, Vidya expressed her opinions on the political scenario in the country.

She said, "I think as a society, not just the Indian society, in the world there is too much negativity today. Y'know, we are only focussing on the negative. We're quick to jump to conclusions, to voice our opinions, to judge people, to persecute them depending on our judgement. There's too much... (pauses) divide and rule seems to be not just the thing of the British Raj. I think it's true of politicians the world over now. They seem to want to divide and rule, to foster insecurities; they seem to encourage people to think of themselves as different from others. They want to drive home how they have been wronged - as a people, as a community, race, religion, gender..."

She further said how we have been choosing our leaders by our right to vote in the democratic nation. Drawing a difference between terrorists who also believe in the "divide and rule" policy and politicians, Vidya said, "Politicians are the people who we are voting for, so they have a sense of responsibility. Terrorists are anti-social elements whom we would like to wish away but we can't and don't know how to do away with them. But what we can do is fortify ourselves as a society by showing people that there are no differences. What are the basic differences that you're born with? Gender is the only difference. Biological differences are the only natural differences that people have been born with. Everything else is superimposed - the religion you are born into or the country you are born in. To me, all this is very disturbing. I don't read the papers anymore. It's very depressing. There is no credible source to the news. I dare say that most publications, TV news channels and websites - I'm given to believe and I don't know the truth - have a political agenda. You would want media to be above any political considerations. Maybe not all publications, but we are living in an environment of distrust therefore."

She concluded by saying, "It is not just expecting others to be more accommodating or large-hearted or inclusive or secular. I think the change is to start with us. We should reach a stage where the politicians are actually working for us and not working us."

Itni hi dikhat hai toh wy don't you contest the elections