Pakistani artists clap back at hate-mongering by Indian celebs

It's an eye for an eye

After the recent attacks in Pulwama Kashmir, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has called out for a complete ban on the Pakistani artists working in the Indian film industry.

“We strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attack on our soldiers at Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. AICWA stands with the nation in confronting such terror and inhumanity," reads a notice issued by the institution on Monday.

PHOTO: THE NATIONAL

Before the producers' guild called for the ban though, some Indian artists who were scheduled to visit Pakistan for various cultural programs, pulled back in retaliation. For instance, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar were all set to visit Karachi on a two-day visit for a literary event in honour of Shabana's father, poet Kaifi Azmi. The event was scheduled to be held on February 22 and February 23.

After the Pulwama incident though, Javed announced that the couple has cancelled their visit and called for a halt to all cultural exchanges between the countries. “Karachi Arts Council had invited Shabana and I for a two-day literature conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry. We have cancelled that,” he tweeted.

Kranchi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry . We have cancelled that . In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem . “ AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA “

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 15, 2019

Pakistani actor Shaan Shahid had a good response to this though. He said, "Actually, now is the time to come and show the friendship and trust you have on us. It is a fact that Pakistan has nothing to do with it. Remember: hate wins elections. We condole the deaths of all the humans who died in this tragedy."

Actually now is the time to come,and show the friendship and trust you have on us ..it is a fact that Pakistan has nothing to do with it , remember hate wins elections ..we condole the deaths of all the humans who died in this tragedy .. from 1947 till 2019

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) February 15, 2019

Drawing narrative from Javed's tweet, the Arth star added, "Please write a poem like your father-in-law did on Kashmir, the occupied paradise. Zulm rahay aur aman bhi ho kya mumkin hay tum hi kaho, Hastee gatee roshan wadee tareeqee maim doob gai. Beetay dino ki laash per aye dil main rotaa hoon, tum bhi roo."

Pls write a poem like your father in law did ,on Kashmir the occupied paradise ...zulm rahay or aman bhi ho kya mumkin hay tum hi kaho .. hastee gatee roshan wadee tareeqee maim doob gai... betay Dino ki Laash per aye dil main rotaa hoon tu bhi roo

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) February 15, 2019

Likewise, Rangreza actor Gohar Rasheed clapped back at Bollywood superstar Kangana Ranaut's hateful message for Pakistan. "Bharat is bleeding today. The killing of our sons is like a dagger in our gut," the Queen actor had said. "Anyone who lectures us about non-violence and peace at this time should be painted black or put on a donkey and slapped by everyone on the streets. But right now is the time to focus on decisive actions. Pakistan’s ban is not the focus; its destruction is.”

To this, Gohar replied, "Hamari qaum ko batao kay tsunami anay walla hai to ussko dekhnay kay liye sea-view challay jatay hai. Modi yeh qaum jang say nahi dartee, excited ho jati hai. Aur Kangana Ranuat, aap ko kiya bolloun? Aapko tau apni industry bahut kuch bol rahi hai. (When our people are warned of a tsunami, they go to the beach to witness it. Modi, this nation isn't afraid of war; they get excited over it. And Kangana Ranaut, what should I say to you? Your own industry is saying it)"

Hamari Qaum ko Batao kay tsunami anay walla hai to ussko dekhnay kay liye sea-view challay jatay hai. #Modi yeh qaum jang say nahie dartee, Excited hoo jatey hai 💪🏽 or #KanganaRanuat aap ko kiya bollo aapko to apni industry Bahut kuch Bol rahey hai. #PAKISTANZINDABAD🇵🇰

— Mirza Gohar (@GoharRsd) February 17, 2019

Hamza Ali Abbasi called out media propaganda over the attacks. "Literally five minutes after the attack, the entire Indian media was blaming Pakistan for it. Wow. So basically, right before a historic visit by MBS with billions of dollars of investment, Pakistan decided to kill Indian soldiers in Pulwama?" he tweeted.

#PulwamaTerrorAttack Literally 5 mins after the attack, the entire Indian Media blaming Pakistan for the attack. Wow.. So basically right before a historic visit by MBS with billions of dollars of investment, Pak decided to kill Indian soldiers in Pulwama? Wow... *slow clap*

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 15, 2019

He added, "To the naive Indian masses: Seriously, I feel sorry for you that your media has made you believe that you did a surgical strike before and can attack Pakistan anytime. I feel sorry that you are convinced that it is because of Pakistan that there is unrest in Kashmir for decades. I hope you grow up."

#PakistanZindabad To the naive Indian masses: Seriously, i feel sorry for u tht ur media has made u believe that u did surgical strike be4 & can attack Pak anytime. I feel sorry tht u r convinced tht its bcz of Pak tht thr is unrest in Kashmr for decades. I hope u will grow up.

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 19, 2019

The actor went on to say, "We have fought a 17-year war against terror and won because we realised that we have to set our own house in order, rather than blame other countries. Learn from us. GROW UP. Resolve the Kashmir issue, talk to us if you have concerns because if you fight us, then Allah hu akbar!"

#PakistanZindabad We have fought a 17 yr long war against terror & we have seen incidents like APS Peshawar but Allah ka shukkar hai i have never seen Pak media/analysts/politicians act so childishly & stupidly as i see in India. Thori mazeed qaddar aayee hai apnay mulk ki.

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 19, 2019

In the wake of the attacks, organisers of another cultural event Shaan e Pakistan - which was scheduled for March - has cancelled the invitation they had sent to Indian artists Rekha and Vishal Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur. Only time will tell how long this cold war between Bollywood and Hollywood lasts.

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