It's dangerous to be silent: Kabir Khan

Mumbai: Kabir Khan says he has often been advised to not speak his mind on topical issues but the director believes if it's problematic to speak out, it's equally dangerous to remain silent.

The filmmaker says it's important for like minded people to speak up and not let "negative forces run rampant" in a country.

"All my life I have been advised not to speak things as they are. But I think we should. If we don't speak up for each other, there will be nobody left to speak for you. We must voice our opinion.

"People who think in a certain way, if they keep quiet, let the negative forces in a society or a country run rampant, then they are also responsible for that. As dangerous it is to speak out in a certain way, it is equally dangerous to be silent," said Kabir.

The repercussions of speaking out are usually felt first on social media, where opinions which differ from the majoritarian view are met with abuse and trolling.

"There are too many lunatics on social media and we have let them run wild. We really need to take stock of where freedom of speech ends when it comes to becoming abusive. The fundamental difference between freedom of speech and abuse is that in the former, you own your words," Kabir says.

The Bajrangi Bhaijaan director says anonymous trolling has hugely affected social media discourse.

"If you are hiding behind a nameless social media handle, it is pure trolling and abuse. The social discourse has taken an incredible nose dive and is no longer about having a good discussion."