'I greet all my friends, Hindu or Muslim, with "Jai Shri Ram".'
Anubhav Sinha can't understand why his court drama Mulk -- that shows the isolation of Indian Muslims -- has been banned in Pakistan.
"This is such a predictable and banal response. As soon as you hear 'Pakistan' being mentioned in a Hindi film, just get rid of the film," says Anubhav.
"At a time when Pakistan has risen to a new leader and a new hope, a film that talks peace instead of violence seems to displease them," adds Anubhav, urging Pakistanis to download the film illegally to watch it.
"I know what I asking them to do is illegal. But not watching the film would be even more unpardonable. In any case, don't Pakistanis watch films anyway, regardless of a ban or not?" he asks.
The idea of making a film on the dilemma of Indian Muslims, Anubhav says, snatches the monopoly of Hindutva back from fringe elements.
"I greet all my friends, Hindu or Muslim, with 'Jai Shri Ram'. My biggest joy is when my Muslim friends reply with 'Jai Shri Ram' as I would to their 'Asalaam wale qum'," says Anubhav.
"I did many of my media interviews wearing saffron. I also did some in a Pathan suit. I love the colour green as much as saffron," the director adds.
"And to those critics who want to know why my storytelling in Mulk lacks subtlety, I want to ask you: 'You want me to be subtle at a time when human beings are being lynched in our country?'"
