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Shahid Kapoor: “A socially-relevant film needs to be made entertaining”

Shahid Kapoor, star of upcoming socially-driven film ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’, believes that adding mainstream entertainment in a film with a strong message helps spread it to a bigger audience.

At the trailer launch of ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’, Kapoor shared, “I have done socially-relevant films like ‘Haider’ (2014) and ‘Udta Punjab’ (2016) in the past. This is my third such film; it addresses an issue that people in the country are going through today. I must say, the love that I got from people when I did those last two films was overwhelming,”, adding that, “I think making films about social issues is good for society and the country. But at the same time, we’re not making documentaries, because those won’t reach anyone. A socially-relevant film needs to be made entertaining, for which you need mainstream actors, so that it reaches the widest possible audience.”, The Asian Age reported.

‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ is a film addressing the lack of sufficient electricity in India. According to Kapoor, “It talks about the issue of electricity, which is a fundamental right. But, as our trailer showed, there are an estimated 31 million houses where not even a single light bulb has been lit. And there are several houses which have no electricity, but the meter is still running. Ever since electricity has been privatized, there’s a sudden rise in the bills. So it’s a very relevant issue.” The film also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Divyendu Sharma and Yami Gautam, and will release on 21st September.