Will not allow Mahira or any other Pakistani artist to work in India: MNS

[MenInG]

In a recent interview with the Film Companion’s Anupama Chopra, actor Mahira Khan spoke candidly about her experience working with Indian collaborators and her fears associated with doing projects across the border. In a recent turn of events. Mahira spoke about how she had been offered several projects but chose not to take them up.

The Humsafar starlet said in the interview, "A lot of series were offered to me and at that time. I don’t know if anybody will understand when I say this, but I was scared. I was genuinely just scared. It wasn’t about what people say, I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I want to go there’. And there was some amazing content, and I didn’t want to miss out on it."

The actor went on to express the hope of working with collaborators from India in the future, saying, “I was scared and I have no shame in admitting it. Now I am a bit more like, ‘No, come on yaar, you can’t let something that happened, which was political, affect your choices.’ So, I don’t think I will do that anymore and I hope that we collaborate, even if it's on digital or in any way."

In a recent development, as a reaction to the Pakistani actor’s comments during the interview, Raj Thackeray's right-wing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has issued a statement emphasising that no Pakistani artist will be allowed to work in India, reported Times of India. Ameya Khoplar, the president of the MNS cinema wing said in a statement, "We will not allow Mahira or any other Pakistani artists to work here be it Maharashtra or in any part of the country."

Mahira Khan previously starred alongside Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan in the film Raees. However, due to mounting tension, the actor was not allowed to attend promotional events for the film in India.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/230085...y-other-pakistani-artist-to-work-in-india-mns

 

[MenInG]

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor believes that entertainment has “connected people when it was not really possible due to the political environment,” and hopes that some obstacles between Pakistan and India are eradicated soon.

The actor sat down with Bollywood Hungama to talk about his latest release Sardar ka Grandson, in which he plays a devoted grandson who embarks on a mission to reunite his sickly grandmother with her ancestral home across the border and had quite the positive outlook on the neighboring countries’ often strained relationship.

Talking about Pakistan’s general response to Bollywood, Arjun Kapoor referenced the extremely volatile relations between the two countries over the last two years saying, “I would refuse to believe that entertainment has not crossed boundaries and not connected people when it was not really possible due to the political environment and bureaucracy.”

“This is one such time where today emotions have resonated and people are coming together and leaving aside borders and whatever the political scenario might have been one or two years back,” he added.

Actor Arjun Kapoor also shared his belief that the environment of austerity between the neighboring countries is “not about the people” and that it “has a certain diplomatic, bureaucratic and political turn.”

Arjun Kapoor went on to add that perhaps the only rivalry that Indians and Pakistanis share is limited to cricket. “Except for cricket, we have friendship and I just hope that friendship is kept alive and maintained, he said.

“Today, the obstacles are more; I hope some obstacles get eradicated. I can just hope and pray that the distance and vacuum that has been created go away and we are able to co-exist with peace.”

The 35-year-old also addressed how Pakistanis stood up to help India during its worst COVID-19 crisis earlier this month. “You should not forget that in the time of need there was a helping hand and that should be respected in the bigger picture,” Arjun Kapoor said.

“Today people are not thinking about what the situation was, people are dealing with what the situation is. I respect that and I regard that and I hope it is not forgotten. After 6 months, things will get better; we might want to go back to certain postures about the way we believe. But that is where humanity has to grow and mature and evolve,” he urged.

Sardar ka Grandson also stars Rakul Preet Singh and Neena Gupta alongside Arjun Kapoor in lead roles and was released on May 18.

https://arynews.tv/en/indo-pak-obstacles-arjun-kapoor/

 

[guna]

Its best to stay away from India which is getting pounded by Covid.

 

[Saj]

Is anyone forcing her to go to India?

 

[El Generico]

Talking about Pakistan’s general response to Bollywood, Arjun Kapoor referenced the extremely volatile relations between the two countries over the last two years saying, “I would refuse to believe that entertainment has not crossed boundaries and not connected people when it was not really possible due to the political environment and bureaucracy.”

“This is one such time where today emotions have resonated and people are coming together and leaving aside borders and whatever the political scenario might have been one or two years back,” he added.

Actor Arjun Kapoor also shared his belief that the environment of austerity between the neighboring countries is “not about the people” and that it “has a certain diplomatic, bureaucratic and political turn.”

Arjun Kapoor went on to add that perhaps the only rivalry that Indians and Pakistanis share is limited to cricket. “Except for cricket, we have friendship and I just hope that friendship is kept alive and maintained, he said.

“Today, the obstacles are more; I hope some obstacles get eradicated. I can just hope and pray that the distance and vacuum that has been created go away and we are able to co-exist with peace.”

The 35-year-old also addressed how Pakistanis stood up to help India during its worst COVID-19 crisis earlier this month. “You should not forget that in the time of need there was a helping hand and that should be respected in the bigger picture,” Arjun Kapoor said.

“Today people are not thinking about what the situation was, people are dealing with what the situation is. I respect that and I regard that and I hope it is not forgotten. After 6 months, things will get better; we might want to go back to certain postures about the way we believe. But that is where humanity has to grow and mature and evolve,” he urged.

I don't know much about this guy but I am pretty certain he is about to get a lot of hate and death threats coming his way from social media warriors.

 

[offstump]

Looks for a redacted statement from Kapoor in the coming days saying he was wrong and Pakistan must stop terrorism before collaborating on entertainment.

 

[gani999]

Why is everyone giving MNS so much importance? They can't even win a municipal ward election on their own, for God's sake.

 

[Local.Dada]

Is Mahira this once in a generation talent like say Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Ghulam Ali the ghazal singer ? I personally got Nusrat Saab’s music but I am not a ghazal enthusiast so never understood the big deal with Ghulam Ali either but I admit I am ignorant when it comes to ghazal music.

Forget about Ind-Pak political debate but not sure why Bollywood folks are clamoring after Mahira. There are plenty of starving artists in India waiting for that shot. I looked at her pictures and sure she is a very good looking lady but it’s not like she has this exquisite, standalone look.

I don’t think she is a Meryl Streep level actress or something.

I would say the same thing if Pakistan filmmakers hire Arjun Kapoor lol. Sure, if it’s an AR Rehman or some other great film technician or even a huge star like Amitabh,SRK fair enough but even that handsome Pakistani chai wala who became viral should get a shot before they hire Arjun Kapoor.

So while I disagree with MNS or their style of dealing with this, it is a dumb excuse that art and politics should not mix to hire Pakistani artists when there is actually no need for it.

I am even for supporting superstar Pak cricketers in IPL who have that stature to add to the league. However if they start giving shots to Pak domestic cricketers over Indian youngsters in IPL, it’s fair if someone has a problem with it.

 

[Varun]

Who is this Mahira and why on earth does she want to work in frikkin' India out of choice?

 

[Local.Dada]

Who is this Mahira and why on earth does she want to work in frikkin' India out of choice?

I wonder if MNS can stop all the Pakistani YouTube channels making easy money by over the top sucking up to India. They might earn my respect for once.

 

[Saj]

Looks for a redacted statement from Kapoor in the coming days saying he was wrong and Pakistan must stop terrorism before collaborating on entertainment.

Indeed or something to say that he was misquoted or didn't mean how it was portrayed.

 

[Varun]

I wonder if MNS can stop all the Pakistani YouTube channels making easy money by over the top sucking up to India. They might earn my respect for once.

Shoaib Akhtar dislikes this post.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Is Mahira this once in a generation talent like say Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Ghulam Ali the ghazal singer ? I personally got Nusrat Saab’s music but I am not a ghazal enthusiast so never understood the big deal with Ghulam Ali either but I admit I am ignorant when it comes to ghazal music.

Forget about Ind-Pak political debate but not sure why Bollywood folks are clamoring after Mahira. There are plenty of starving artists in India waiting for that shot. I looked at her pictures and sure she is a very good looking lady but it’s not like she has this exquisite, standalone look.

I don’t think she is a Meryl Streep level actress or something.

I would say the same thing if Pakistan filmmakers hire Arjun Kapoor lol. Sure, if it’s an AR Rehman or some other great film technician or even a huge star like Amitabh,SRK fair enough but even that handsome Pakistani chai wala who became viral should get a shot before they hire Arjun Kapoor.

So while I disagree with MNS or their style of dealing with this, it is a dumb excuse that art and politics should not mix to hire Pakistani artists when there is actually no need for it.

I am even for supporting superstar Pak cricketers in IPL who have that stature to add to the league. However if they start giving shots to Pak domestic cricketers over Indian youngsters in IPL, it’s fair if someone has a problem with it.

I don’t think any current Pakistani actor is a generational talent but India was going crazy over Fawad Khan. If there was no ban there’s no doubt he would’ve been among the top actors in India rn. My Indian friend says he outshined seasoned Indian actors in kapoor and sons movie and there’s several videos where Indian actors and actresses are going gaga over him.

I think RaHat Fateh Ali Khan was generational (even if a quarter of his uncle). And Atif Aslam most def wasn’t generational but he’s arguably the artist who’s been the biggest ever Pakistani commercial success in India.

Point of this aimless post is that pure talent isn’t the sole reason why a Pakistani artist may make it big in India. Mahira checks all boxes which Indian cinema needs and that could have been enough for her to be big star.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

I wonder if MNS can stop all the Pakistani YouTube channels making easy money by over the top sucking up to India. They might earn my respect for once.

Is MNS same as Shiv Sean?

 

[El Generico]

I wonder if MNS can stop all the Pakistani YouTube channels making easy money by over the top sucking up to India. They might earn my respect for once.

How would street thugs like MNS control what YouTube does?

Although I agree some Pakistani YouTubers including Shoaib Akhtar are extremely cringe worthy.

 

[MP2011]

Is MNS same as Shiv Sean?

More or less same but with more thuggish cadre. After all they were same some years back

Basically, MNS chief is cousin of current Shiv Sena chief.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Well, MNS cant win a ward election, let alone make a policy decision.

But its going to be very difficult for pakistanis to get any earnings from India. It makes the employers look foolish and cause their brand immense harm and create lots of issues for them, when the pakistani they hired, starts supporting a separatist terrorist movement in India.

I don't blame the pakistanis for it. Its their choice, they have every right to support, what appears as a national cause in Pakistan. But the next bollywoodia or cricket team, that hires them will have a PR nightmare.

 

[Local.Dada]

How would street thugs like MNS control what YouTube does?

Although I agree some Pakistani YouTubers including Shoaib Akhtar are extremely cringe worthy.

First part was sarcasm brother.

2nd part I think we are on the same page.

 

[Local.Dada]

Well, MNS cant win a ward election, let alone make a policy decision.

But its going to be very difficult for pakistanis to get any earnings from India. It makes the employers look foolish and cause their brand immense harm and create lots of issues for them, when the pakistani they hired, starts supporting a separatist terrorist movement in India.

I don't blame the pakistanis for it. Its their choice, they have every right to support, what appears as a national cause in Pakistan. But the next bollywoodia or cricket team, that hires them will have a PR nightmare.

I don’t think it will ever get to a PR nightmare. BCCI will obviously not go against the government mandate but Bollywood once in a while might test the tolerance so they might do some gimmicks here and there but overall next time someone goes full on hiring mode with Pakistani talent it will be more or less due to the relaxed government policies.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I don’t think it will ever get to a PR nightmare. BCCI will obviously not go against the government mandate but Bollywood once in a while might test the tolerance so they might do some gimmicks here and there but overall next time someone goes full on hiring mode with Pakistani talent it will be more or less due to the relaxed government policies.

Relaxed govt policies by some congress or other party will not change the views of the public on the streets.

 

[MenInG]

The trailer of Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly's Dhoop Ki Deewar released on June 15. The web series, directed by Haseeb Hasan and written by Umera Ahmed, sees the real-life couple as two youngsters divided by the Indo-Pak border but united by the grief of losing their fathers in the ongoing conflicts over IIOJK.

Following the release, Twitter saw a large public outcry against the series, with several tweeting that the show was disrespectful to Kashmiris and that peace with India is not an option. #BanDhoopKiDeewar quickly became a top trend in the country, with people being particularly incensed over the fact that the series follows a Muslim girl (played by Sajal) being romanced by a Hindu boy (portrayed by Ahad).

A user tweeted, “We never had and never will be together, India and Pakistan are two different nationalities. #Kashmir #Kashmirilivesmatter #BanDhoopKiDeewar.”

Another user wrote that there is no room for peace between the two nations. “Aman ka tamasha failed the first time and it will fail the second time too. But it will run long enough for many to make a quick buck off of it. You can not build peace on blood, occupation and ethnic cleansing. #DhoopKiDeewar”

Some tweeted the merits of war over peace in times such as these, writing, “It wasn’t romanticism and emotions which brought peace. History itself reveals that emotions and love are the different invisible sides of the war. It is war that brings peace, as revealed by history. #Ban DhoopKiDeewar”

“Kashmir is bleeding and what we are doing? Making these filthy dramas for the sake of PR. One needs to ask [MENTION=51]Fawad[/MENTION]chaudhry is the blood of Kashmiris that cheap? This has happened many times that Muslim girl is falling for Hindu and we are enjoying it. Poor. #BanDhoopKiDeewar,” tweeted another user.

The portrayal of Pakistanis in Indian films was an issue of concern for many too. One tweeted, “Pakistanis should avoid humanising occupier India in films. While India preaches hate towards Kashmiris and Pakistanis in their movies (Fanaa, Gaddar, Sarfarosh etc.) some liberal Pakistanis are living in la la land and advocate for love with fascist India. #BanDhoopKiDeewar”

Some users tweeted in favour of the series, writing about how the message of peace and love is more important than hateful rhetoric. “In recent decades, people of both sides are fueled with hate by politicians, conflicts and wars. These types of dramas will help to de-escalate hatred among Pakistanis and Indians. There is nothing wrong in the trailer that contradicts the two-nation theory. #BanDhoopKiDeewar,” said a user.

Another tweeted, “I really liked the unbiased storyline of DKD. They haven’t shown any country in bad light. India and Pakistan are both suffering at the hands of politics, media lies/biased reports and third party interventions. I hope people learn something from this series! #DhoopKiDeewar”

Ahmed took to social media to clarify her stance on the matter, posting a lengthy note on Instagram. She clarified that as a writer, she had no say in which platform the series landed on and the fact that it will release through Zee5 was not her decision. With reference to the love story, the writer called it more of a “social tragedy,” highlighting the effects of war on individual lives. She explained that the story, after it was first written, had been sent to ISPR for approval so that question of her being a traitor becomes void. Finally, she asked why advocating for peace was being deemed sinful, going on to state that it is in fact actively encouraged in Islam.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/230606...all-to-boycott-ahad-sajal-indo-pak-web-series

 

[MenInG]

In a heartwarming cross-border exchange, Pakistani singer-activist Shehzad Roy and Bollywood actor Anupam Kher cleared out a misunderstanding about a video of children from Hunza Valley.

After Roy corrected Kher, who mistakenly wrote on Twitter that the video was from India, Kher replied on Twitter saying, “Dear Shehzad Roy! I stand corrected, my friend. I loved the video. Keep up the great work you are doing with these kids!! Love and prayers always!!”

Roy responded to the friendly tweet with, “Sir Anupam Kher, thank you. I am your fan and love the work you do. I will keep you updated about this lovely group of kids and their music.” On August 18, the Bollywood veteran shared a video of a bunch of talented child musicians performing in Hunza, Pakistan, using what appeared to be cans and water containers.

Lauding their dedication, Kher claimed the children were from a village in India. The Teri Soorat singer re-tweeted Kher’s share, thanking him for his concern and appreciation for the talent. He then corrected him politely saying, “Sir, thanks for sharing the video I shared a few days back. You say that these talented kids are from Bharat, a humble correction; these kids are from Hunza, Pakistan. I am in touch with them and have sent them all the musical instruments they need.”Roy had shared the same video on August 11 to ask his fans to find the whereabouts of these kids so he could provide them with the instruments they required.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/231747...have-a-friendly-cross-border-twitter-exchange

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistani actress Mahira Khan tied the knot with her close friend and businessman Salim Karim on Sunday, October 1st, at PC Burban.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1708539816345035019