The Hindu : National : Sunil Dutt was my choice to lead the movement against fundamentalism: Sonia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Sunil Dutt was my choice to lead the movement against fundamentalism: Sonia

— Photo: PTI/Vijay Kumar Joshi

MEMOIR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi release a book on Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt authored by Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt, in New Delhi on Friday.

New Delhi: It was a real emotional moment for actor Sanjay Dutt and his two sisters when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi released a book on their actor parents — Sunil and Nargis Dutt.

The Bollywood star was emotionally overwhelmed and so were Namrata and Priya Dutt when “Mr. and Mrs. Dutt” written by the sisters was released at a function at the Prime Minister’s residence on Saturday evening.

Extraordinary

Prime Minister and Ms. Gandhi hailed the couple as “extraordinary” individuals who represented the composite nature of the country’s heritage.

Ms. Sonia said she could not think of anyone but Sunil Dutt to lead the movement against fundamentalism and communalism when she decided to form the “Sadbhavana ke Sipahi.”

“It is rare to find a couple whose life of romance, love and exceptional artistic accomplishments was so deeply influenced by the larger vision of India,” Dr. Singh said, adding that the book was a “labour of love.” Recalling “Mother India” in which the couple acted, Ms. Gandhi said heroism had entered the real life of Sunil and Nargis as they worked on issues like fighting communalism, spreading cancer care and campaigning against drug addiction.

“I hope this book will inspire a new generation of film personalities to think beyond their daily work and think about how they can contribute to nation building and national integration,” the Prime Minister said. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National