Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Ravi Shankar Prasad said three movies collectively earned Rs 120 crore on October 2 and so, there's no economic slowdown at all. (Photo: PTI)

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said he is withdrawing his statement where he cited the earnings of three blockbuster movies to dismiss the economic slowdown.

The law minister issued a press statement saying: "My comments made yesterday in Mumbai about three films making Rs 120 crore in a single day- the highest ever, was a factually correct statement. I had stated this as I was in Mumbai- the film capital of India.

When Ravi Shankar Prasad was asked for his comments on the economic slowdown while addressing a press conference on Saturday, he dismissed it with a laugh, referred to the movies data and said that the economy is sound which is why the country earned Rs 120 crore from three movies.

"We are very proud of our film industry which provides employment to Lakhs of people and contributes significantly by way of taxes. I had also explained in detail about various measures the Govt has taken as pro-people move to strengthen our economy. Govt of PM Narendra Modi always cares for the sensitivity of common people," the BJP leader further said in the statement.

"Entire video of my media interaction is available on my social media. Yet I regret to note that one part of my statement has been completely twisted out of context. Being a sensitive person I withdraw this comment," the statement added.

Entire video of my media interaction is available on my social media. Yet I regret to note that one part of my statement has been completely twisted out of context.



Being a sensitive person I withdraw this comment. ...(4/4) pic.twitter.com/VfesKb84T8 Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) October 13, 2019

On Saturday, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "I was Information and Broadcasting Minister in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government and I am fond of movies. Movies have been doing huge business. Three movies released on October 2 and film critic Komal Nahta told me that the national holiday [October 2] saw earning of Rs 120 crore by three movies. Rs 120 crore comes in a country which has a sound economy."

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Soon after, the law minister received backlash from the Opposition, with the Congress terming his comments as insensitive.

Taking to Twitter, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asked Ravi Shankar Prasad if people should go watch movies when their future is at stake.

"Reserve my comments on this ill-informed view but this is insensitive. People are losing jobs, factories are shutting down, growth is dwindling and here we are referring to movie collections. People's future is at stake but maybe they should just go watch a movie Sir?" Supriya Shrinate tweeted.