Indian Platforms Must Not Engage with Pak Actors: ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ Makers
The controversy surrounding Pakistani actors in the Indian film industry has been ongoing for some time now. With the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, there has been a growing debate on whether Indian platforms should engage with Pakistani actors. Recently, the directors of the Bollywood film ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’, Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, weighed in on the issue, expressing their strong disapproval of Pakistani actors and urging Indian platforms to avoid engaging with them.
In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Rao and Sapru criticized Pakistani actors for their statements on India’s Operation Sindoor, a military operation conducted by the Indian Army in 2019. The operation was aimed at removing the Pakistani flag from the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani actors, including Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan, had made public statements criticizing the operation, which has led to a backlash in India.
“We don’t think any Indian platform should engage with Pakistani actors. They have made statements that are unacceptable and hurtful to our country,” said Sapru. Rao added, “We need to stand by our country and our soldiers. Pakistani actors should not be given a platform in India.”
The controversy surrounding Pakistani actors in India began in 2016 when the Indian government banned Pakistani actors from working in India in response to the Uri terror attack. The ban was later lifted, but the debate on whether Indian platforms should engage with Pakistani actors has continued.
One of the most recent examples of this debate is the upcoming sequel to ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’. The original film, which was released in 2016, starred Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane alongside Indian actor Harshvardhan Rane. However, Rane has refused to be part of the film’s sequel if the previous cast is repeated, including Hocane.
“I don’t think it’s possible for me to work with Mawra again. She has made statements that are hurtful to our country, and I don’t think I can associate myself with someone who has done that,” said Rane.
Hocane’s statements on India’s Operation Sindoor had sparked outrage in India, with many calling for a boycott of Pakistani artists. Her comments had also led to a backlash on social media, with many Indians calling for her to be blacklisted.
The controversy surrounding Pakistani actors in India is not just limited to the film industry. Many Indian celebrities, including actors, musicians, and cricketers, have been criticized for their associations with Pakistani artists. The tensions between India and Pakistan have been ongoing for decades, and the debate on whether Indian platforms should engage with Pakistani actors is unlikely to die down anytime soon.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Pakistani actors in India is a complex issue that is influenced by a range of factors, including politics, culture, and national security. While some argue that Pakistani actors should be allowed to work in India, others believe that they should be boycotted in light of their statements on India’s Operation Sindoor.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Indian platforms must be cautious in their dealings with Pakistani actors. The statements made by Pakistani actors on India’s Operation Sindoor have been hurtful and unacceptable, and Indian platforms should not provide a platform for them to promote their views.
