Mehwish responds to Amitabh's decision to turn down Pakistani role

Actor took to Twitter to share her thoughts regarding the matter


Entertainment Desk April 12, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

A few days ago, various reports came in regarding Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan turning down a Pakistani role in fear of being labelled ‘anti-national’ or embroiled in any controversies. While some stood by Big B's decision, others expressed their disappointment. And, local star Mehwish Hayat is one of the latter.

The Punjab Nahi Jaungi star took to Twitter to share her thoughts regarding the matter. "If true, this is very disappointing. Movies have the power to build bridges especially when tensions are high."

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB PHOTO: SCREENGRAB

She continued, "I guess that in the end nationalism trumps everything. I hope that we can also take heed before we gush about all things Bollywood in future."



Many users responded to Mehwish's post, sharing their own views on the matter. "You’re living in a fool’s paradise I’m afraid Mehwish. It’s a different world with straightforward agendas and no gobbledygook. Bachchan has to carry his legacy where he’s hugely popular and if he starts bridging the two countries then he’ll be badly criticised and eventually dumped."

Another stated, "Why did you expect Amitabh Bachchan to become a bridge for peace? He never bothers. Whether it is mob lynching, an anti-Muslim act or killing of innocent Kashmiris ... he never speaks. But he was the first one to congratulate Narendra Modi for his so-called Balakot attack drama."

Amitabh was all set to play a Pakistani protagonist in Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty’s directorial debut. However, deteriorating ties between India and Pakistan ever since the Pulwama attack, prompted the Bollywood megastar to turn the role down.

PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: FILE

According to a report, Pookutty had been discussing the project with the Paa star for two years now. Initially, Amitabh was excited to play the character.

Amitabh Bachchan reportedly turns down Pakistani role

“Resul has been discussing the film’s script with Bachchan sahab for two years now. Bachchan sahab loved the peace message in Resul’s Indo-Pak story. Resul waited for his reply and they were finally supposed to go on the floors. But, when relations worsened between the two countries, Bachchan started having second thoughts,” a source stated earlier.

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