Om Puri, Naseer slam 'Bollywood'

Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri have vehemently protested against the term 'Bollywood' used to describe Indian film industry, known for producing the largest number of films in the world.

The award-winning actors were speaking at a function 'Life and Times in Indian Cinema' at the Nehru Centre in London.

The event, which was organised by a UK-based film organisation India-EU Film Initiative, was held to honour the two Bollywood actors for their contribution to Indian Cinema.

Lord Meghnad Desai, renowned economist and film buff, honoured Shah and Puri with Roman Atticus trophies. Noted film director Jagmohan Mundhra also presided over the function.

Attacking the western media for calling them 'Bollywood actors' they said Indian film industry was not happy with the term Bollywood as it was perceived to be derogatory and humiliating.

They said they hate to be called Bollywood actors.

"The term Bollywood was used to mock us by the western press. And it's just an indication of our own idiocy that we still use it. It's like being called an idiot all your life and then making it your name," said Naseeruddin Shah, a winner of several national and international awards.

Om Puri, who received an Order of British Empire(OBE) for his acting talent from the British Queen, said "Bollywood is associated with Hindi films which are taken as 'those song and dance films'. These terms are created by media."

Shah also urged the Indian media not to use the term 'Bollywood'.