Malik Sameed
Mounting tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months has spilled over into the area of culture. On the one hand, Pakistanis have been banned from working on Indian films, while on other hand Bollywood movies have met the same fate in Pakistan.
After the Uri attack, which claimed the lives of at least 19 soldiers and the injured many in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been a constant state of unrest across India.
Social media platforms were bombarded with messages of hate as well as those of love and peace in equal amounts, and from people from both countries.
Though the relationship between the two countries have been on tenterhooks since 1947, recent incidents have only led to further strain. In India, MNS (Maharashtra Navnirmana Sena) has called for a ban on Pakistani actors. Many have seconded the party’s decision, while many others in the industry and outside have supported the Pakistani artistes and questioned the MNS boycott. Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt have both spoken openly in support of Pakistani actors working in India.
The ban on Pakistani artistes in India has become one of the major issues. Kashmir Scenario Senior Editor Malik Sameed gathers viewpoint from different eminent artists on the move to ban Pakistani artists from Bollywood.
Arjumman Mughal, an Indian model and film actress.
“As long as Pakistani actors are empathetic and compassionate towards victims of violence, an arrangement could be possible. But they are probably in a Catch 22 situation, where they cannot even express their sadness over attacks. That is the irony.”
She added- “How many centuries this fight will go on and on. Will people feel alleviation of this nonsense and live their lives invulnerably. it is about whole India not only Kashmir. The whole India should be one to compete with enemies. Why only government should take decision. Everyone has the same right to keep their thought and efforts in front to save India. We should not solve the problem temporary we should finish it this time forever. So that our next generations feel proud of being Indian. feel fear everyday that if we will wake up tomorrow or not.”
Rahul Singh , Film actor and Model
“Our films and artists have been banned in Pakistan, isn’t it ?
Anyway, there are far more important matters in India, than Pakistani artists. For example…. Actions of our brave soldiers who have been tolerant since decades and decades ! Jai Hind.”
Anupam Shyam, Indian Film and Television Actor
“Art and terror cannot go hand in hand. We support our fraternity decision to ban Pakistani artists. Pakistani artists cannot be allowed to continuously provided platform here while our country bleeds. In these circumstances, Pakistani artists have no place here.”
Jitendra Singh Sabu, Indian Film and Television Actor
“We have enough talent outhere and terror promoting country Pakistan artists have no place here. Pakistanis should develop infrastructure to produce own megastars .Pakistan should learn the language of peace and shun war mentality. National interest comes first and we need to be firm behind our brave soldiers not double faced Pakistani artists.”
King Pal Singh, Actor and bollywood Singer
Well if we look through via prism of civilization outlook the ban on artists of any country looks weird, but when bloodshed happens the logic takes a back burner and emotions weigh in and the ban looks justified.
Artists are humans and they are bound to react in a human way.