Railway Minister Laloo Prasad was not a man who could inspire a movie, said the legend of Hindi film industry, Dev Anand here while announcing launch of his latest movie Mr Prime Minister.

His statement was in reply to a query whether any character in his new movie depicted the Railway Minister.

The evergreen film star said that being associated with the film industry for over four decades and having seen the political upheavals in the country during the period, he found himself to be qualified to make a "political statement" now.

"I have been around the country, read many books and seen the country - both before and after the partition. I find myself mature enough to comment on the political status of the country," he said yesterday at a function organised to celebrate his 81st birthday.

He, however, lamented at politicians belonging to the party instead of "belonging to nation" and added that it was the reason that prompted him to disband the National Party of India that he had formed during the seventies.

"I can work more for people by not getting involved with any particular party," Dev Anand said and added that his experience from the short political stint would not feature in the film.

To a query, he said it was too early to comment on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and added, "he is yet to taste power. He is a noble man and I have met him in Zurich".

Refusing to name his favourite politician, the actor said the country needed visionaries who could command respect of the billion people. "The countrymen should be able to fashion themselves after their leader," he said.