The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has decided not to work with Pakistani artistes and technicians until peace returns between India and Pakistan, said a Deccan Chronicle report. The decision has been taken in the wake of escalated tensions between the neighbouring countries after the Uri terrorist attack. The report added that IMPAA was unhappy about the fact that none of the Pakistani artists have condemned the attacks.
Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was recently dropped from a project in India, and on September 25, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a right-wing political outfit, had given a 48 hours ultimatum to all Pakistani actors to leave India. They also threatened to stop the release of Karan Johar’s upcoming Bollywood film, Ae Dil Hei Mushkil, which features actor Fawad Khan in a pivotal role, and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees, which stars Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. However, Karan Johar, in an NDTV interview, refused to yield to such political pressure. “I understand the anger and the anguish that surround us and I empathize, 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 Pakistani artists). If this was truly a solution, then one would take it,” Karan Johar told journalist Barkha Dutt.
Reportedly, Fawad Khan left the country in July to attend to his pregnant wife, and will not be promoting the film in India owing to the ongoing political turmoil.
Read: Leave The Creative Industry Alone – Karan Johar Tells Political Parties
Read: ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ Not Banned In Pakistan – It Was Not Imported
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Meanwhile, musician Adnan Sami, who congratulated Indian army on its strategic counter strike in PoK, received flak from a section of Twitterati from both the countries, who asked him if he would be returning to Pakistan following the ban. In response to the hate comments, the singer tweeted, “Pakistanis r outraged by my earlier tweet. Their outburst clearly means they see Terrorist & Pakistan as the same! #selfgoal#stopterrorism”