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Lyricist and scriptwriter Manoj Shukla, whom many viewers know as Manoj Muntashir. Manoj Muntashir, who hails from Amethi, has become a big name in the film industry today. He wrote beautiful songs like 'Galiyaan', 'Tere Sang Yaara', 'Kaun Tujhe', and 'Teri Mitti' and also scripts for many big films. Now he has become a part of 'Zee News's biggest conference 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. He had a special discussion on topics ranging from the country and abroad to the film industry. Here he recalled Hindutva, politics, caste census, and his days in Amethi.
Has everything really changed in the new India? On this question, Manoj Muntashir said, 'If I say that everything has changed, it will be a lie... It is also a lie that nothing has changed, it is also a lie that we have lagged behind in the last few years. This is the thinking of those people, there are shortcomings. Overall, there is a little and a little more is needed.'
The journey from Manoj Shukla to Manoj Muntashir
Manoj Muntashir, who hails from Amethi, also reacted to his journey in the industry. He said, "Even today I have not been able to transform from Manoj Shukla to Manoj Muntashir. If you remove my layers, you will still see the same boy from Amethi. Even today I am the same boy who was once lying on a towel at Pratap Nagar railway station. I am the same boy who was once bargaining with the rickshaw puller. A boy who calls tea Amrit. Gives reasons to prove this. I am still the same as I was. I am proud of what I am doing."
What did Manoj Muntashir say when there was controversy over his words?
On being surrounded by controversies many times over his words, Manoj Muntashir said, 'My words bring relief to some people and create problems for some others. It is not my words but the truth that is responsible for this. Some people do not like the truth.'
I am not against any party: Manoj Muntashir.
Regarding the politics of Uttar Pradesh, Manoj Muntashir says that if you vote, you choose your leader, then you cannot say that you are neutral. We choose the government of our choice. I have always been inclined toward an ideology. I was never against any party, I am always with Satya Sanatan.
Is Manoj Muntashir going to join politics?
On contesting elections and joining politics, he said, 'If I tell the whole truth, it will create a lot of problems. Right now, I don't have politics in my mind. But if ever a turn comes in my life that politics is the only way left to help my people, then I can join it. I am in a good place today. So I will never join politics for fame and money. If I come here, it will be to change something. My coming may bring some change. We will see when the time comes.'
What did Manoj Muntashir say about Hindutva?
'We are those Hindus who do not consider anyone as alien. We talk about the welfare of all. This is what Hinduism means to me. Hindutva is a huge concept and I am its servant. I work in films. I aim to break such stereotypes. Many things have been shown wrongly in the industry. Like the names of films, 'Gunahon Ka Devta', 'Hawas Ka Pujari', and many more. I want to break such narratives. Which shows the villain worshiping the goddess before committing a crime. Brother, why always show Sanatan behind the wrong deeds? Why only the worshiper of lust... they could have also kept a priest of lust. I do not accept such a cinema. As long as I have a pen in my hand, I will keep raising my voice.'
Do not consider our decency as a weakness.
Reacting to the incidents of stone pelting, Manoj Muntashir said, 'Stones should not be thrown at any religion... Religions are not for fighting, but for living according to one's own way of worship. I respect every religion. This is what our Hindutva teaches me. Just do not throw stones at my temple. Do not consider our decency as a weakness.'
Manoj Muntashir also reacted to the caste census.
Regarding caste census, he says, 'Now the truth is that if you look at a Brahmin, you will find him working as a watchman, carrying bricks and stones or if he does more work, he is doing a job of 5-6 thousand rupees. I don't know how much bad the Brahmins have done but today bad things are happening to them. I am from an industry, I sometimes feel ashamed of those who showed Sanatan as a part of a conspiracy. Now is the era of information revolution, people have the power to know the truth.'
