While talking to media persons, he also advised the people to stay away from political leaders who try to divide the country on the basis of religion, caste or community.

Answering a question on the recent controversy between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, the actor said, “People should stay away from politicians and leaders who try to divide the masses on the basis of religion, caste or community. It is harmful to the country and does no good to anyone.”

He further added, “India (has) several languages and people should respect each one of them. One should respect the local language as it is also an integral part of any culture.”

Aamir’s statement in favour of Maharashtra and Marathi people was a cautious step to avoid any kind of controversy. However, the actor-turned-director has always been surrounded by controversies, like for lending support to social causes. Aamir has already suffered the wrath of Gujarat government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on supporting social worker Medha Patkar for the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

In April 2006, the actor joined the NBA activists along with other Bollywood actors like Atul Kulkarni, Kunal Kapoor, and director Rakeysh Mehra at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. At that time, Aamir extended his support to NBA activists and appealed to the Prime Minister to draw his attention to the Narmada issue.

The actor’s support to NBA had sparked off a major controversy across the country. BJP workers had stopped the screening of his movie Rang De Basanti in Ahmedabad and pulled down posters of the film as well.

After the NBA controversy, Aamir’s movies were not screened in major cities of Gujarat. The party workers did not allow screening of Aamir’s next film, Fanaa in Ahmedabad and other parts of the state as well. In fact, Taare Zameen Par was also banned from screening in Vadodara and other cities of the state.

Since then the actor has become cautious and usually avoids speaking on controversial issues. His pro-Maharashtra statement was cautious one as well, keeping in mind the recent rage of MNS workers against Bachchan family on their anti-state remarks.

Bottom line is that Bollywood is losing its freedom under political pressure and the industry people are not free to express their views on social causes. Hence, they give censored statement to save themselves from political parties like MNS and BJP.