Naxals are not terrorists: Suniel Shetty

Jun 15, 2010 IANS

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Suniel Shetty, who plays a pivotal role in "Red Alert - The War Within", says he condemns the increasing Maoist violence but adds that the guerrillas are not terrorists.

Based on a real life story, director Ananth Mahadevan's "Red Alert - The War Within" is about a farmer, played by Suneil.

"Naxals are often helpless people who have been exploited, their mineral ores seized and their existence threatened. One cannot just eliminate or deal with them harshly because they are our own people and not terrorists," Suniel said in a statement.

"It is quite disheartening that the Naxal violence has taken such shocking proportions. Violence can only result in violence and the Red Belt is bleeding with violence now. The more we try to get out of this complicated situation, the more we get knotted up," he added.

The film, which is slated for a July 9 release, was screened at the South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) and Suniel was honoured with the best actor award there.

Shot and dubbed in four languages - English, Hindi, Telegu and Chattisgarhi, the film has a planned Bengali version in the pipeline.