Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) Veteran actor Anupam Kher has walked out of the movie "Dear Friend Hitler" saying that he wants to "respect my fans' opinion".

"I had taken up the role as I considered it a challenge and after carefully monitoring the portrayal of the character. However, considering the ill-will that the project is generating among my fans, I wish to withdraw from it as I respect their sentiments.

"I have never been moved by commercial considerations. But I have always respected social opinions," Anupam told IANS through email from Scotland where he is shooting for Pankaj Kapoor's movie "Mausum" along with Shahid Kapur and Sonam Kapoor.

"Dear Friend Hitler" reportedly shows how the German dictator contributed to India's independence and what happened to soldiers in Bose's Azad Hind Legion in Germany.

The 55-year-old actor also revealed that he was moved by the messages sent by people on the issue.

"I am deeply moved by the outpouring of messages on social networks, the letters which I have received and the protestations I have heard about from organisations in many countries in the past four days about my role as Adolf Hitler in a forthcoming film," he said

"As I have said in interviews, whenever asked, the film does not glorify or romanticise the role of the dictator in India's independence struggle. Indeed he was the architect of a World War and the man responsible for pogroms against the Jews, this can never be denied," he added.

Even though the actor has declared his stepping back from the film, the producer, Anil Sharma, says otherwise.

"I have spoken to Anupam Kher. Actually international media is a bit confused with the script. He will do the film for sure. We have sent him the view and motto of doing the film and clarified that we are not doing the kind of film the international media is highlighting. The film is not portraying Hitler as great leader," Sharma told IANS.

The film also stars Neha Dhupia and will be directed by Rakesh Ranjan Kumar.