Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has produced a Sikkimese film, came under attack after calling the hill state insurgency-troubled.
She has apologised to the Sikkim government, which wants another apology in more “clear-cut terms”.
Netizens slammed and trolled Priyanka for being “politically illiterate” after she spoke of Sikkim in an interview to ET Canada during the Toronto International Film Festival.
She was discussing Pahuna: The Little Visitors, her Sikkimese production, which premièred at the gala.
Sikkim Tourism Secretary C Zangpo Bhutia said: “We have received an apology note from Priyanka Chopra for her comments where she has written ‘I tender an apology’. But we are not satisfied. We have asked her to send us another letter in more clear-cut terms.”
Asked what the Sikkim government felt about Priyanka’s comments, he said: “Whatever she said is totally unacceptable. This has tarnished the image of our state. So we asked her to take back her statement and apologise to us. But we are not satisfied with her first letter. We are waiting for a fresh note from her.”
Priyanka, who now divides her time between the US and India, has yet to issue an official statement.
Her film Pahuna: The Little Visitors is about three Nepalese children, who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists in Nepal and flee to Sikkim.
Talking about the movie to ET Canada, Priyanka said: “This is a Sikkimese film. Sikkim is a small state in the northeast of India, which never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film that’s come out of that region because it’s very troubled with insurgency and troubling situations.”
This remark was widely slammed.
“Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states, dear Priyanka. We don’t have any insurgency here. Please comment responsibly,” tweeted Santosh Subban from Sikkim capital Gangtok.
Tawqeer Hussain added: “Celebs like her are ‘politically illiterate’. Earlier, many celebs (don’t) know the name of the president of India. So don’t expect them to be politically correct.”
Biswatosh Sinha, a scriptwriter from Assam, wrote: “Dear Priyanka Chopra, Sikkim is a peaceful place and Pahuna is not the first film from the region. Plz get the facts right.”
Priyanka is the tourism ambassador of BJP-ruled Assam.
Directed by first-timer Paakhi A Tyrewala, the film was launched as an association between Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra’s banner Purple Pebble Pictures, and the Ministry of Tourism Sikkim.
The national award-winning actress, a former Miss World, is a known face globally courtesy of American television show Quantico.
IANS