Opinions from Bollywood celebrities are coming in on daily basis on the ban of Pakistani artistes. Up till now, few celebs have openly condemned the ban on cross border artistes while others are of the thought that during these trying times this is a legit step.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated since the 18th September terrorist attacks on army base camp in Uri. As many as 19 soldiers lost their lives in an attack sponsored by Pakistan.
The surgical attacks which the Indian army carried out on terror launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), in response to the terror strikes, added more fuel to the fire.
While hostilities rose at the borders, political parties including Raj Thackrey led MNS asked for ban on Pakistani artistes. The parties said that Bollywood working with Pak artistes in these trying times is not for the best interest of the country. MNS even threatened to ban release of movies ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Raees’ which star Pak actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, respectively.
This demand to ban drew mixed reactions from renowned personalities of film fraternity. Some were of the opinion that art should be left alone. There were others who said that boycotting artistes is the obvious thing to do.
Woven around the latter thought, The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, on 28th September, passed a resolution banning Pakistani artistes from the Hindi film industry. In the resolution the film body said that it cannot indulge in ties with Pak actors when soldiers are dying on the border.
Also Read: Om Puri’s ‘insensitive’ comment on martyrs gets him showered with flak on Twitter
On the imposed ban, almost everyone from Salman Khan to Nana Patekar has a say. Here’s a quick look to all statements made by eminent personalities in the past few days:
Salman Khan: Terrorists and artists are different. Do you think there is no difference between an actor and a terrorist?
Karan Johar: Telling Fawad to pack up and leave isn’t a solution. Today if my film is being targeted because of this it will make me exceptionally sad. Banning art or artists isn’t a solution.
Saif Ali Khan: The world is open to our film industry and our film industry is open to talents from around the world especially cross border. We are artists who talk about love and peace.
Mahesh Bhatt: Kill terrorists, not talks.
Varun Dhawan: The government has to say that. (The ban) has to come from the government. And if they take any steps, we will have to see what they do after that. If by banning actors, terrorism can be stopped then they should do it.
Ranbir Kapoor: I hope that you guys don’t get swept away with the bitterness and negativity, the violence that’s happening around the world and around us.
Kangana Ranaut: Right now we are very overwhelmed with the loss of our soldiers, our jawans and our sons. So the country is not in that (frame of mind). It’s very hard to be objective right now. But we hope that the love and art prevail. Right now we can’t expect people to be objective. It’s such a big loss.
Randeep Hooda: We are trying to isolate Pakistan economically & diplomatically so the cultural isolation must follow #BanPakArtists
Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Right now, the situation between India and Pakistan is very sensitive and they should leave India.
Sonali Bendre: The producers body has already banned them. If they’re not your friends and if you’re cutting the relations in business, every business should stop. Of course, considering the times it should be the norm of the day and should be applicable to everybody.
Nana Patekar: I have been in the Army for two and a half years, so I know who are our original heroes. Our jawans are the biggest heroes and no one can be bigger than the soldiers. We actors are just fake and insignificant people, and people should not pay heed to what the celebs are saying.
Om Puri: When the government is taking an action, we all should stay quiet. It hardly matters if we send back the artists from Pakistan, who are working here, or let them stay.
Hansal Mehta: MNS for next central govt. In one master stroke they have solved the India Pakistan problem. After all it is artistes who provoke attacks.
Guru Ram Rahim: f the actor comes in the capacity of an actor, then it’s alright, but who can guarantee that he has come just as an actor? Because more often than not, terrorists and not actors come from Pakistan. So I feel if the government is asking them to work in their own country, why should there be a problem?
Abhijeet: I never said boycott .. I said kick these Paki bstrds #ActAgainstPak ..shame @karanjohar @MaheshNBhatt for breeding feeding them #UriAttack.
Hema Malini: As an artiste, I can appreciate their work. But whether they should stay here or not, I can't comment.
Richa Chadha: Ek film ki release se agar terrorism khatam ho jaata, toh hum bohot saari films pehle bhi ban kar saktey the
Ayan Mukherjee: Ranbir is tensed, everyone is worried about how things are unfolding. He is hoping for the best
Kunal Kapoor: I hope it gets a good release, and better sense prevails
Imran Khan: "I don't want to get beaten up or threatened, will keep my opinion to myself"
Abhay Deol: If you want to ban anything to do with Pak,then go the distance. Don't just ban filmmakers
