Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) : Veteran actress Shabana Azmi says the decision of several artistes and filmmakers to return their awards in protest against "a culture of intolerance” is a “symbolic gesture” of bigger things to come.

“It's not an either or. Artistes returning awards will also reflect their concern in their work but making a film, writing a book takes time... Returning awards is a symbolic gesture that brings attention. Instead of damning them, read the writing on the wall," Shabana tweeted.

Last week, prominent writers like Ganesh Vispute, Sambhajai Bhaga, Harishchandra Thorat, Pradnya Pawar, Milind Malshe, Yeshu Patil, Vasant Patankar, Urmila Pawar and Mukund Kale returned their various state honours, joining their counterparts across the country.

Also, some of the leading filmmakers announced in Mumbai that they were returning their National Awards and other honours.

They included Anand Patwardhan, Dipankar Banerjee, Paresh Kamdar, Nishtha Jain, Kirti Nakhwa, Harshavardhan Kulkarni, Hari Nair, Rakesh Sharma, Indraneel Lahiri, Lipika Singh Darai, Vikrant Pawar, Rakesh Shukla and Prateek Vats -- who took the step in support of FTII students.