Bollywood bans Pakistani artistes, including singers, after Pulwama

Post the Pulwama terrorist attack, Bollywood has decided not to work with Pakistani artistes, including singers. Top associations have banned Pakistani artistes from working in India.

Over 40 CRPF jawans were killed in the suicide attack in Pulwama (Kashmir). An explosive-laden SUV rammed into a bus carrying soldiers, and is considered as one of the worst terror attacks ever on the security forces in Kashmir. Like the rest of India, even Bollywood spoke out against the terrorist attack; several Bollywood celebrities condemned the attack in strong words.

Meanwhile, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has banned all Pakistani actors and artistes from working in the Indian film industry. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has asked music companies to stop working with Pakistani singers.

Salman Khan is set to get singer Atif Aslam replaced in his upcoming production Notebook. While there’s no official announcement on the same, reports state that re-recording of the song is expected to take place shortly.

“Pulwama ghatna ke baat bollywood ke logon ke jo approach rahi hai uske mai prashansa karna chahta hoon. Yeh unhone kaha tha ke hum Pakistani kalakaar ko nahi aane denge. Mai unke step ko acha manta hoon. (I would like to praise the approach of Bollywood industry after the Pulwama attack. They have banned the artists from Pakistan and I truly appreciate film industry’s step),” Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s praises Bollywood For Banning Pakistani Artists.

Kangana Ranaut was the most vociferous of all, saying it was important to take decisive actions lest our silence be misunderstood for our cowardice. It seems Kangana cancelled the success bash of her latest film Manikarnika in solidarity with the martyred jawans.

“Pakistan has not only violated our nation’s security they have also attacked our dignity by openly threatening and humiliating us. We need to take decisive actions or else our silence will be misunderstood for our cowardice… Bharat is bleeding today, the killing of our sons is like a dagger in our gut; anyone who lectures about non-violence and peace at this time should be painted black, put on a donkey and slapped by everyone on the streets.”

Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, invited by Karachi Art Council to attend a programme on poet Kaifi Azmi, decided not to attend it in the wake of the dastardly attack.

However, Kangana Ranaut doesn’t seem to be impressed with their decision to boycott the event.

“People like Shabana Azmi calling for a halt on the cultural exchange — they are the ones who promote Bharat Tere Tukde Honge gangs… why did they organise an event in Karachi in the first place when Pakistani artistes have been banned after Uri attacks? And now they are trying to save face? The film industry is full of such anti-nationals who boost enemies’ morals in many ways, but right now is the time to focus on decisive actions… Pakistan ban is not the focus, Pakistan destruction is.”

Pakistan Art Council criticised Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi for cancelling their Karachi visit post the Pulwama incident.

John Abraham said that there should be a war against terror but not a country or religion. “There has to be a war on terror. It has to be over and done with.That doesn’t mean you have to fight with another country. That doesn’t mean you have to stereotype people,” said John.

“Don’t invite any Pakistani or Indian terrorist sympathisers to spew venom,” Paresh Rawal.

Navjot Singh Sidhu was sacked from Kapil Sharma’s show for his comments on Pulwama attack. Sidhu had commented saying, “For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation and can you blame an individual? It (the attack) is a cowardly act and I condemn it firmly. Violence is always condemnable and those who did it must be punished.” However, Sidhu’s statements offended several Indians, including fans of The Kapil Sharma Show who demanded Sidhu’s sacking from the show.

Indian Journalist Arnab Goswami had criticised Sachin Tendulkar and Suni Gavaskar on his news show. “I don’t believe in any gods. Sachin is 100 per cent wrong. Sachin Tendulkar, if he has any sense, should realise that he should be the first person to say don’t play with Pakistan. And (Sunil) Gavaskar should be the second person to say we should not play with Pakistan. These people say we need two points. Both are damn wrong. I don’t need two points. I want revenge for my martyrs. Understand? Sachin Tendulkar can take his two points and put it in the dustbin.”

Both Sachin and Gavaskar were of the opinion that India should not forfeit its matches against Pakistan in the forthcoming 2019 world up.

Here’s the video of Arnab Goswami that went viral.

Akshay Kumar: Numb beyond belief at the dastardly terror attack on #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama. May God give peace to their souls, and strength to their grieving families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. We can’t let this be forgotten.

Ranveer Singh: Disgusted at the cowardly terror attack on the #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama – my sincere condolences to the families of our brave jawans. Saddened. Angry.

Salman Khan: My heart goes out for the Jawans of our beloved country and their families who lost their lives as martyrs to save our families… #YouStandForIndia

Shahrukh Khan: Heartfelt condolences to the families of our valiant jawans. May the souls of our countrymen who laid their lives down for us rest in peace. #Pulwama

Hrithik Roshan: Deeply grieved on hearing about the Pulwama attack. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the Jawans martyred.

Farhan Akhtar: Just learnt of the horrific and cowardly terror attack in Pulwama. Disgusted and saddened. United in grief with families of the CRPF jawans who lost their lives. My deepest condolences to them.

Shabana Azmi: Will there be no let to these heinous attacks?These mindless killings.this utter disregard for human lives?Extremely shocking news coming from Pulwama.I strongly condemn the worst terror attack on CRPF convoy and stand united with the grieving families.

Javed Akhtar: I have a special relation with CRPF. I have written Their anthem Before putting the pen to paper I met a number of CRPF officers n what ever I learned my respect admiration and love for these braves increased by many a fold Today I share the grief of the dear ones of the martyrs.

Rishi Kapoor: Shameful shocking reprehensible . Absolute act of cowardice. Perpetrators of this heinous crime cannot be be friends with people of Kashmir. We stand by the bereaved families.

Earlier, the Indian entertainment industry had faced the repercussions of Uri attack (in 2016). After the Uri attacks, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had given a 48-hour deadline to all Pakistani artistes to leave India.

Shah Rukh Khan had met MNS chief Raj Thackeray to discuss promotions of his film Raees, which featured Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

“MNS had threatened to stall ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’s release because it featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Fearing a repeat (Pakistani actress Mahira Khan makes her Bollywood debut in Raees), Shah Rukh Khan met Raj Thackeray to clarify that Mahira won’t be part of the promotions of the film in any way.”

“Nation Comes First”, Bollywood and Indian Business Sings in Unison

As the call for banning Pakistani artistes grew after the terrorist attacks, few Bollywood Celebrities did speak out saying Arts and Politics should not be mixed.

But then, probably for the first time, you also had a few biggies speak about the nation coming first, and that included Mukesh Ambani as well, the chairman of Reliance Industries and India’s richest businessman.

“I’m absolutely clear about one thing — for me, it is always country first,” said Mukesh Ambani.

And when cricketer Gautam Gambhir, Bollywood actors Ajay Devgan and Nana Patekar, also joined Mukesh Ambani saying the “Nation comes first”, there were very few who raised their views.

Rs. 5 Crore for the Films Release?

Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will finally see a smooth release after the Industry biggies managed to make peace with MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

However, it seems the filmmakers have to shell out 5 crore towards the Army relief fund, because the movie has a Pakistani actor (Fawad Khan).

MNS chief Raj Thackeray met Mukesh Bhatt, Karan Johar at Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ office. Producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh were also present in the meeting, where Raj Thackeray agreed not to protest the films release.

In return, Mukesh Bhatt (president of Film & Television Producers Guild of India) assured that the industry will not work with any Pakistani artists in the future.

Karan will also display a slate of tribute for URi martyrs before Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starts playing out in the screens . The producers of the film will also contribute a portion of the film’s revenue to the Army welfare fund.

Want to cast Pakistani artist? Pay Rs 5 crore to Army relief fund says MNS chief Raj Thackeray
“Every producer who has cast a Pakistani actor must contribute Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund,” MNS chief Raj Thackeray said after the meeting.

The MNS chief also asked “While Pakistan has banned Indian content, why do we give them a red carpet here”.

“When (MNS leader) Raj Thackeray brought up this topic of Rs 5 crore (donation to the Army Welfare Fund) during the meeting, I told the Film Producers Guild clearly that I am opposed to it and that you don’t need to accept it. We had no issues over the other two conditions (about Pak artistes being banned from future movie projects and showing a slide paying tribute to soldiers before the screening of the film). I told them in front of Raj that the contribution has to be voluntary and upon how much patriotism you feel. I clearly told them that you need not pay this amount. However, the producers themselves were keen on it and said that they wanted to pay.” – Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Fallout of Uri Attack: Mahira Khan to be Replaced in Raees!

Getting a break in Bollywood is a big thing, and if you get an opportunity to work with SRK, you should definitely consider yourself lucky. Pakistani actress Mahira Khan was that lucky person, until the Uri attack happened.

The Indo-Pakistan stand-off has claimed its first casualty in Bollywood. Mahira Khan will not be a part of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming release Raees.

“It was a very painful decision for producer Ritesh Sidhwani to take. The pressure to replace her had been building up for months. It reached a crescendo after the URI attacks. It came to a point where it became impossible to shoot with any Pakistani. People suggested all kinds of solutions to the impasse, including shooting in Dubai. But it didn’t seem viable. Now Mahira has unfortunately been relieved of her duties,” said a source close to the filmmakers.

A hunt is now on for another Bollywood actress.

Now that the Hindi film industry has agreed that they will not cast any Pakistani artiste in the future, will Fawad Khan ever get to work in Bollywood again?

Only time will tell!

Fallout of Uri attack: Will banning Pakistani artists & shows help?

Several Indian soldiers lost their lives in the Uri attack (in Jammu and Kashmir), which was condemned by Indians all over the world. The Indian government is under pressure to take strict actions against terrorism.

Meanwhile, the effects of the terrorist attack is being felt in the entertainment industry.

Maharashtra-based political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has called for a ban on Pakistan artists, shows and even Bollywood films that will featuring Pakistani actors.

Films to be impacted:

• Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Fawad Khan
• Shahrukh Khan’s Raees that has Mahira Khan
• Shah Rukh Khan’s Dear Zindagi that has Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar

Akshay Kumar, who was deeply disturbed with the news, has provided financial assistance to the families of martyred soldiers in Uri attack by honouring them with cheques worth Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs.

Filmmaker Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ release could be impacted (scheduled for Diwali), as the movie features Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas, and MNS has issued a warning to the filmmaker against releasing the film.

“This is not a solution. The larger forces have to come together and sort the situation and this cannot be banning talent or art.

I feel vulnerable and scared while even saying this. I completely feel the pain and anger. If my film is targeted because of this, it will make me exceptionally sad because my intent was to put out a product out of love and nothing else,” says Karan Johar

Several Indian television channels have also stopped showing Pakistani shows on TV.

TV actor Karan Patel says, “Banning films and artists is futile. As an actor, I feel disheartened that it is a fellow actor from a different industry who has to face the flak every time.

If problems are happening at the border, let the Indian Government send out a message out there itself.

Top Pakistani Singers in Bollywood

Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who has always been vocal about his opposition to Pakistani artistes working in India, called the Bollywood Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir Khan “shameless” for breeding Pakistani actors. He also attacked Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt on twitter for ‘breeding and feeding Pakistani actors’.

When Ghulam Ali’s concert was cancelled in India, the singer had called the ghazal maestro a ‘dengue artist’.