NCP's twist to 'movie-economy' logic: 'People want to forget problems'

NCP leader Majeed Memon has reacted to Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's comments on the economy. The NCP leader said that the Union Minister has made a 'laughing stock' out of himself by making such comments. The MP further attacked the Minister and said that people go to the movies to their problems.

Ravi Shankar Prasad dismisses claims of an economic slowdown

Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday dismissed concerns about an economic slowdown and quoted the box office collections of movies in a day, at a press briefing in Mumbai.

 "As I am in Mumbai, I have come to know about a very interesting story regarding slowdown. As I was an Information & Broadcasting minister in the Atalji government, films have always been dear to me. In the huge business by movies - on October 2 three movies were released. According to trade analyst - Komal Nahta, 'The national holiday of October 2 saw the movie earning of Rs. 120 Crore  a record by three movies- War, Joker and Sye Raa.' If the nation's economy is sound, then only such a return can be witnessed in a day?" the Union Minister said.

His comments got reactions from ministers across the political spectrum and people called him out on his comments.

READ | Ravi Shankar Prasad withdraws 'movie' remark on economic slowdown

Asaduddin Owaisi slams Prasad

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also attacked the Government and Ravi Shankar Prasad at a rally on Monday. The AIMIM leader said that when ministers are questioned about the economy they quote movie collections. 

"The economy is falling, people don't have jobs and he says 3 pictures have released because they have earned a 320 crore business," he said. 

READ | Yechury terms Ravi Shankar's comments on econmoy as 'laughable'

'Laughable'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Chief Secretary Sitaram Yechury has also reacted to comments made by Ravi Shankar Prasad. The CPI(M) leader said the statement was laughable and said India is actually suffering.

"It is laughable. India has a population of 130 crores. There is a small section, which purchases tickets and watches movies, but the rest of India is actually suffering," he said.

The CPI(M) leader also said that the comment was equivalent to a famous statement during the french revolution. 

"Prasad's comment is equivalent to the famous statement made during the French Revolution that "people do not have bread, why not eat cake", he said. 

RS Prasad clarifies his statements

However, Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday gave clarification about his statement on Twitter. The BJP leader said that his statements were factually correct and he stated them because he was in Mumbai and alleged that he was taken out of context.

READ | Ravi Shankar Prasad dismisses slowdown : '3 movies earned 120 crores'

READ | Priyanka Gandhi attacks Ravi Shankar Prasad: 'Come out of film world'