Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has produced a Sikkimese film, tendered a written apology following her statement calling the Indian hill state insurgency-troubled. She has apologised to the Sikkim government, which has sought another apology in more “clear-cut terms”.
Netizens on Thursday slammed Chopra for being “politically illiterate” after she spoke about Sikkim in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She was discussing Pahuna: The Little Visitors, her Sikkimese production which premiered at the gala.
Sikkim Tourism Minister Ugen T. Gyatso termed Chopra’s statements as “unfortunate”.
“I have received an apology letter. We have to be satisfied with it,” said Gyatso, adding: “She must have thought Sikkim is like other northeastern states. It’s a very peaceful state.”
The state government has sought another letter of apology from the actress.
Sikkim Tourism Secretary C. Zangpo Bhutia said: “We have received an apology note from Priyanka Chopra for her comments, where she has written ‘I tender an apology’. But we are not satisfied. We have asked her to send us another letter in more clear-cut terms.”
Chopra, who now divides her time between the US and India, is yet to issue an official statement.
Sikkim MP Prem Das Rai said her comment was a mistake and there was no need to sensationalise the issue.
“She definitely doesn’t have her facts correct. Sikkim has been an insurgency-free state for three decades but she didn’t know that,” he said. “She is a star in her own right and Sikkim is a star in its own right. We should bury this issue.”
Chopra’s film Pahuna... is about three Nepalese children who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists in Nepal and flee to Sikkim.
Talking about the movie to ET Canada, Chopra said: “This is a Sikkimese film. Sikkim is a small state in the northeast of India which never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film ever that’s come out of that region because it’s very troubled with insurgency and troubling situations.”
This remark was widely slammed.
“Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states, dear Priyanka. We don’t have any insurgency here. Please comment responsibly,” tweeted Santosh Subban from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Tawqeer Hussain added: “Celebs like her are ‘politically illiterate’. Earlier, many celebs (didn’t) know the name of the President of India. So don’t expect them to be politically correct.”
Directed by first-timer Paakhi A. Tyrewala, Pahuna... was launched as an association under Chopra’s banner Purple Pebble Pictures and Sikkim’s Ministry of Tourism.
