Life & Style

Karan Johar breaks silence on threats to Pakistani actors in India

India's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena says it won’t allow the release of movies featuring Pakistani artistes

Entertainment Desk September 25, 2016

PHOTO: BRANDSYNARIO

A day after India's nationalist party threatened Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan on working with Pakistani actors, KJo has opened up about his views on casting Fawad Khan in his movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

"I feel my heart bleeds for the lost lives, there is nothing that justify this terrible feeling of terror," he told journalist Barkha Dutt. "Telling Fawad to pack up and leave isn't a solution. Today if my film is being targeted because of this it will make me exceptionally sad. Banning art or artists isn't a solution."

Exclusive: "Banning Pakistani Actors doesnt solve Terrorism. @karanjohar breaks silence on threats from MNS & Sena https://t.co/HWO6p1oj5i
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 25, 2016

General secretary of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Shalini Thackeray had said on Saturday they won’t allow the release of movies featuring Pakistani artistes.

“We are sending letters to all producers and would request them to cooperate with us, which we hope they will in Maharashtra. If they don’t, we will stop the shoot wherever Pakistani actors are involved," Thackeray said.

Indian nationalist party threatens SRK, KJo for casting Pakistani actors

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Karan added, "I feel the pain the anger as an Indian citizen. My intent was to always put out a creative product of love and nothing else."

Indian nationalist party gives Pakistani actors 48-hour ultimatum to leave country

When asked how he wishes to combat the current situation, he said, "I am a vulnerable soft target. I have combated that with various films. We make movies, we are a creative industry, please leave us alone. We don't matter in this scheme of things."

"Culturally boycotting artists is not a solution," he concluded.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, while Mahira Khan will be seen in Raees opposite SRK.

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COMMENTS (8)

F | 8 years ago | Reply Karan johar wouldnt have said this had he been in Kabir Khan's shoes when he was shooting in Pakistan.....when Pakistanis thought that was the solution.....this is extremely insensitive, disgraceful and naive of him to talk like this disrespecting his own film-maker fraternity, his own countrymen.... I am scared now thinking how the country's film industry is in the hands of such brazenly irresponsible people, oblivious to their own surroundings.....whose mind doesnt go beyond the komfy sofas and koffees.....If being sorry was enough, I am sorry for your future state now...baar baar dekho is just the start

Meta Cooler | 8 years ago | Reply I completely disagree with the statement that art has nothing to do with politics.There is a very strong relation between art and politics.Most of the literature of the world has been based on politics.

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vaidyanathan | 8 years ago | Reply Anwar Indians speak out of pain. We can understand the suffering of Kashmiri pandits. The same pandits the original inhabitants of Kashmir gave shelter and food to the Muslims. Now guests outnumbered host and driven out the hosts humiliated them. I do not know whether God will forgive the thankless guests who thrown out the guests. Indians speak out of pains which you cannot understand.

Anwar | 8 years ago | Reply Why do Indians hire Pakistanis in the first place? If you hate Pakistanis so much, don't hire them. Why are you asking Pakistanis to leave? It's not like they're begging to stay in India, they only go to India when you invite them. Otherwise, they live in Pakistan. So if you don't want Pakistani artists in India...simple...don't hire them. Just stop your whining already...my goodness. India reminds me of that kid in class who talks a lot about beating people up but when the times comes to do something, just refuses to let you play with his ball. That nation is childish beyond belief!

Qamar Valliani | 8 years ago | Reply Looks like Modi and his supporters have gone mad.

saurabh | 8 years ago | Reply Well, all those direct or in-direct influencees (or beneficiaries?) of the Fai club should be asked whether the talent in the neighborhood grows only in Pakistan or in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Srilanka and Nepal too ?

Vaidyanathan | 8 years ago | Reply Actors are not threat. No doubt. Cricketers are no threat to anybody. So they should come and play. Terrorists attackef mumbai but not chennai or delhi. So terrorists are no rhreat to others. This terrorists attacked only indian army so why public shoukd vent annger on terrorists. This is the argument of Barca Dutt.

Bunny Rabbit | 8 years ago | Reply I am not a fan of film folk but KJ is right. they are driven by one single ambition to make it big in show biz. they are not threats to any one . IF anything , they provide entertainment .They should be left alone.

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