Mumbai: Actor Salman Khan on Friday spoke out against the ban on Pakistani artistes imposed by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association, saying they had entered India with permission and were not terrorists.
“There is a difference between terrorists and artistes. They come to our country with permission and visa. Terrorists don’t," the actor said at an event when asked about the growing chorus to send back Pakistani artistes.
Leading the charge against them was Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navanirman Sena which issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes and actors, including Fawad Khan and Ali Zafar, to leave India by September 25 or else they would be “pushed out".
The actor said the action (surgical strike) taken by the Indian Army is proper as it was against terrorism, but he would prefer to have a situation of peace and harmony. "Ideal situation should have been that of peace. But, now a reaction to an action has happened. It was a proper action as they were terrorists. But still in this day and age, I think if we lived in peace an harmony it would have been better for everyone and especially for common people," he said.
Singer Abhijeet called on leading filmmakers to shun artistes from across the border, while BJP lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Som said they should be “beaten with shoes" for failing to condemn the Uri attack.
The sentiment reverberated on the small screen too, with Zindagi channel taking all Pakistani shows off air.
Anticipating trouble, concerts by singers Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam in Bengalaru and Gurgaon, respectively, were cancelled by the organisers. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that Fawad Khan had left for Pakistan.
ANTI-BAN CHORUS GROWS
Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Karan Johar and Shyam Benegal, too, came out in support of Pakistani artistes, wondering if action against actors and singers would help curb terrorism. "If you want to send Fawad Khan, alright send him. Tell us the five next steps. What problems will be solved after sending Fawad Khan?" Johar said.
"The actors are here because they have been invited to act in Indian films. Now they are not necessarily representing their government. If they were representing their government, then clearly they should go back. They are here as individual artistes. I don't see any reason why they should be asked to go away," Benegal said.
RAJ THACKERAY HITS BACK
MNS chief Raj Thackeray issued a strong statement in response to Salman Khan’s comment, criticizing the actor for siding with Pakistani artistes. “Bullets fired at out army officers is not filmy. Is there a dearth of talent in India," he said.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, too, tweeted against Khan and Benegal. "Remaining Silent on the act of terrorism by your country is also a form of terrorism. @BeingSalmanKhan Sir," he tweeted.
"Respected #ShyamBenegal ji. #Pakistan has killed thousands of our people & you say War is still not declared. Sad. #PakArtistsBanned," he added.
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