“Mahesh Bhatt is an idiot. He has completely lost it,” Poonam Dasgupta

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-As told to Flynn Remedios –MumbaiWire.in Veteran actress Poonam Dasgupta  who has featured in over 150 films in the last 15 years and played main lead roles opposite the likes of stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and Dharmendra to name a few, hit out viciously at director and producer Mahesh Bhatt for his special visit to the Bigg Boss house to “speak to porn star Sunny Leone about his film and ‘ask’ her if she was interested” as reported in the media. “Mahesh Bhatt is an idiot. He is growing old and senile. He has really lost it. A good and reputed director or producer would never do stunts like this. He could have waited for one or two weeks till Sunny Leone was out of the Bigg Boss House. He has lowered his own status and the status of the entire Hindi film industry by his so-called publicity stunt. Either he is getting big money from Colors for this stunt, or he is completely mad. Or he wants to compete with other Reality TV stars like Raja Chaudhary, Rahul Mahajan, Rakhi Sawant, etc?”

“If it was so urgent and he wanted to meet Sunny Leone for some god-forsaken film, he could have done it in secrecy. Lawyers, artiste managers and family members are allowed to meet Bigg Boss inmates under exceptional circumstances. Mahesh Bhatt could have met Sunny Leone privately instead of tom-toming it all over the media. In doing so he has not only made a fool of himself but also belittled the standing of the film industry. What will the world think? Our filmmakers are so desperate for porn stars and Indians are so hungry for the trash and scum from the west, that they will go out of their way and visit the sets to meet them. Or is that India is so devoid of talent that there is no woman left for Mahesh Bhatt to cast. Does he visit the girls who are victims of the casting couch? Does Mahesh Bhatt visit the poor girls who come from small towns in search of a career and livelihood in the film industry? Does Mahesh Bhatt visit the struggling girls who are forced to sell themselves to pay their rents which may be as little as a few thousand rupees?

Poonam Dasgupta who produced the play Begum Sahiba with Rahul Roy is now working on some new projects. Poonam who has done over 150 films and tele serials including Dil Ka Doctor with Anupam Kher, Mr Bond with Akshay Kumar, Dil Ke Jharoke Mein with Manisha Koirala & Vikas Bhalla, Fauji with Dharmendra, Ganga Kahe Pukaar Ke with Rakesh Pande,  Geeta Ki Saugandh with Dharmendra and TV serials like Betaal Pachishi directed by Sunil Agnihotri, Black Cat produced by Kumar Sanu, Bus Stop Ki Raat, Commander,Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Kismat and Kya Baat Hein directed by Ramesh Sippy, Marshall with Mukesh Khanna, Nagin by Ramsays, Shri Adhikari Brothers Top Ten, Shrimaan Shrimati, Swabhimaan (produced by Shobha De), Tehkikaat with Karan Razdaan, Teri Bhi Chup Meri Bhi Chup with Shafi Inaamdar, The Great Maratha directed by Sanjay Khan and the The Zee Horror Show to name a few, was also very critical about Veena Malik’s Swayamvar.

Speaking to Flynn Remedios, Editor of Mumbaiwire.in, Poonam Dasgupta said, “As a reputed film maker, Bhatt has made a big fool of himself. His publicity-seeking antics have angered a lot of senior actors and film industry professionals who may not come forward and speak out because they do not want to get involved. Why should we give so much importance to a porn star? She has chosen the career of a porn star of her own free will. She is making a lot of money selling and peddling porn in the West. It’s not that Sunny Leone was born in utmost poverty or was forced into the porn industry. She chose it on her own free will for the quick and enormous returns that it provides. Why should film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt shed tears for her now? Either he is really stupid or has completely gone mad.”

“India has become a dumping ground for the world. Even when it comes to manufacturing, countries like China and the US are dumping their unsold products in India be it electronics or even automobiles. Now we are offering centre-stage to artistes like Veena Malik who are given pride-of-place in shows like Swayamvar. “I was aghast to read about the killing of Hindus in Pakistan and Veena Malik’s swayamvar drama on the same page of the newspaper. The first thing I can’t tolerate is why we should encourage people from an unfriendly country that export terrorism to India to work here? Also we have the best of beauty and talent in India which is recognized around the world and there is no reason to entertain a Veena Malik who has nothing special to offer. Veena comes from a country where such swayamvar-type dramas are taboo. Is India a dust bin where shallow people without character or integrity come to dump their stunts? Are Indian channels so devoid of creative ideas to boost their TRPs. Getting a Sunny Leone or Veena Malik is the least creative thing a channel can do?

Source: Here