Emraan under threat, Uncle Bhatt slams Bollywood

By Subhash K Jha

Emraan Hashmi is not allowed to speak any more. But his sms to his uncle and mentor Mahesh Bhatt says it all.

"My grandmother wants to take me to an astrologer to help me arm myself for the painful future that may lie ahead of me. According to her this is the end of me."

Chilling, omnipotent and indicative of the threat that the young actor has created for himself and his family by openly speaking on the issue of religious profiling that other actors from Bollywood including Shabana Azmi, Saif Ali Khan and Arshad Warsi have candidly admitted to this writer.

On Tuesday Emraan's Pali Hill residence looked like a fortress with approximately 8-10 police vehicles parked below his building. The threats, apparently, are relentless.

The actor himself seemed petrified of speaking. "If you want to talk to me on the flat issue I can't. My lawyer Majid Memon has advised that I let him comment on the issue from now on." Emraan's uncle Mahesh Bhatt couldn't be stopped from voicing his concerns over the issue.

"A politically motivated application has been made by a BJP activist. They allege that we (Emraan and Mahesh Bhatt) tried to fan communal passion.The cops are yet to register a charge against us. The security given to Emraan is precautionary. He's fine."

When Emraan has come out with his declaration of being denied housing because of his religion, the film industry is surprisingly mum. Even those who have gone through such religious profiling have chosen to remain silent.

Mahesh Bhatt lashes out, "It's the politics of silence. It's the fear of being attacked or criticized if they take a stand. Our industry says things which are acceptable not what is RIGHT. We need to step out of this 'I Me Myself' syndrome to live sanely."

As for Shah Rukh Khan dodging the issue Mahesh Bhatt, "His silence is truly eloquent. He says it all by not saying a word."