I am Marathi, says Aamir:Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan today described himself as Marathi having been born and brought up in Maharashtra.

I am Marathi, says Aamir:Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan today described himself as Marathi having been born and brought up in Maharashtra.

Mumbai: Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan today described himself as Marathi having been born and brought up in Maharashtra.

He was responding to a question whether he considered Marathi people lucky for him as his two home productions -- Lagaan directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and Taare Zameen Par whose script was written by Amole Gupte, both Maharashtrians -- were India's official entry for Oscars.

"I am a Marathi. I am born and brought up in Maharashtra. I am lucky for myself," he said.

A fortnight ago, actress-MP Jaya Bachchan's comments that she was from Uttar Pradesh and would speak in Hindi had raised a furore.

Aamir said differences over languages was a non-issue and was raised at a political level. "We are one country. There are many cultures and languages. We should respect our own culture and also accept the culture of others. A film is beyond such boundaries," he added.

Without naming any political party leader, Aamir said, "I always tell my friends and myself that we have to be alert and keep off politicians who try to divide us on the basis of language, religion, caste. We have to support leaders who are progressive and positive and who bring people closer."

When asked about his nephew Imran Khan's forthcoming film Kidnap, Aamir said he was looking forward for the film. "I hope it has turned out well." he said.

To a question on why he felt an Indian film has never won an Oscar, Aamir said, "it is simply because other films were better than ours. The present times are extremely good for Indian cinema. There is awareness about it.

Before Lagaan , the Oscar jury members were not inclined to watch an Indian entry. They never miss an Iranian film," he added.
VIA:indiainfo