Words like democracy, patriotism have lost meaning, says filmmaker Saeed Akhtar Mirza

National Award-winning filmmaker Saeed Akhtar Mirza said words like democracy and patriotism sound hollow today and there is a need for the country to "retrieve" them.

The director, known for films such as Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro and Naseem, was speaking at the launch of his book, "Memory In The Age Of Amnesia: A Personal History Of Our Times".

The book is a collection of excerpts from Mirza's personal life that showcases the past and links it to the present.

"Words like democracy, patriotism, national interest have lost their meaning today. We need to retrieve those words. This book is to remind people of the past and give them hope. I don't write a book, they are installations of my experiences and memories in my mind," he said.

Academic-activist Ritu Dewan and fellow director Mahesh Bhatt launched the book, who said it has the "audacity of hope".

"What is unique about the book is that if you have torn the enemy to shreds, you still have the ability to reflect. Our nation's soul is much bigger than the government; the nation is not the government. And this book looks unflinchingly at that reality," Bhatt said.

The event was moderated by founding editor of The Wire, Sidharth Bhatia.

Also present on the occasion were Ashutosh Gowariker, Sudhir Mishra, Aziz Mirza and Makarand Deshpande.

with inputs from PTI