Mumbai: Veteran film maker Mahesh Bhatt directly supports those people who return their national awards for ongoing Film and Television Institute of India FTII row.

The returning of awards issue has became a big sensation in recent times. When few filmmakers make it a point to return their awards, few celebrities made an open statement that they can’t return the awards as it is their recognition.

Vidya Balan made it clear that the award was given by people and not Government. Kamal Haasan said there is a special jury to select the nominees and final list of winners. Similarly Anil Kapoor and Hema Malini too criticized this act of returning awards.

Now veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has supported those who have returned the awards. He says, “I find nothing wrong in the fact that the makers are returning their National Awards. Indeed I would label it as a brave act. As an Indian citizen they are entitled to express their dissent through the means which they choose.

If this is how they want to express their unhappiness about the existing atmosphere in the country and growing violence, then that is their privilege.” Mahesh Bhatt also said, as he never accepted the awards, he cannot return them.