Journalism of Courage
MNS might be sticking around with its decision of banning all Pakistani actors working in Indian films, and counter-reactions flooding from the neighbouring country, it is the Bollywood producers and filmmakers who are facing the heat of the entire controversy. They are completely at a soup with their upcoming films starring the targetted Pakistani actors remaining incomplete. While some like Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt have vociferously shared their opinion, other celebs like Kangana Ranaut and Ranbir Kapoor chose to remain neutral. And then we had Salman Khan who supported these actors, stating that "they are artistes, not terrorists". Here's a look at what every celebrity said on the looming tensions around the entire controversy, that emerged in the aftermath of the Uri attack.
Salman Khan made the statement a day after the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) passed a unanimous resolution at the annual general meeting, appealing to all their members to “henceforth, not to work with any artistes, singers or technicians from Pakistan until the situation of hostilities between Pakistan and India subsides and the Government of India declares that all is well with Pakistan and India.”
He said: "They are artistes not terrorists. It’s the government who gives them permits and visas.”
A picture spoke a thousand words for Mahesh Bhatt.
Karan Johar: “I understand the anger and the anguish that surround us and I empathise, my heart bleeds for the lost lives. There is nothing that can justify this terrible feeling of terror. Then you are faced in a situation such as this (asking for ban on Pak artistes). If this was truly a solution, one would take it. But this is not a solution. I don’t believe it is. The larger forces have to come together and sort the situation and this cannot be banning talent or art.”
Ranbir Kapoor: “I don’t want to sound preachy and like a ‘healer talker’ but we are living in some hard times right now. 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.”
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.”
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.”
According to reports, Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees has been postponed. The film which is the Bollywood launchpad of Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, was scheduled to release in January 2017. But ever since the MNS asking KJo and SRK to replace the actors from across the borders in their films, the makers seem to be in a dilemma. Other Pakistani artistes who were in the target lost of MNS are Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Zafar.
