Get over the fact that you can occupy Pakistan: Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui slams 'Fighter' trailer

Trailer for movie has sparked controversy due to its blatant anti-Pakistan narrative

The latest trailer for the movie Fighter has sparked controversy and faced backlash due to its blatant anti-Pakistan narrative. Starring top-tier actors including Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor, the trailer has raised concerns with its assertive claims about India's ownership of Kashmir and implications of "Indian Occupied Pakistan" (IOP) in the event of a forceful response.

As a result, many prominent Pakistani artists and influential figures have spoken up about the horrifying inaccurate and entitled trailer. Acclaimed actor Adnan Siddiqui took to X to state, "Once celebrated for love, Bollywood now crafts hate-filled narratives, portraying us as villains. Despite our love for your films, it's disheartening. Art transcends boundaries; let's use it to promote love and peace. Two nations, victims of politics, deserve better."

Once celebrated for love, Bollywood now crafts hate-filled narratives, portraying us as villains. Despite our love for your films, it's disheartening. Art transcends boundaries; let's use it to promote love and peace. Two nations, victims of politics, deserve better.

— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) January 16, 2024

Hania Aamir, who is beloved across the border as well, took to her Instagram Story to pen, "So sad and unfortunate to know that there are artists out there in this day and age who are aware of the power that the cinema holds and still go ahead and feed the riff between the two countries. I feel sorry for the artists who try to bridge the gap by trusting their art as a medium. Distasteful. Let art breathe."

Actor Hira Khan, too, weighed in on the trailer. "The tea was fantastic tou dalna bhul gaye? (You forgot to add, 'The tea was fantastic?) IOP - in your dreams." She added, "Sad that such big superstars need to bash Pakistan to make [their] movies."

Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui took to her Instagram Story to share how she was initially excited about the film, but the euphoria wore off once she saw the trailer. Addressing the inaccuracies in the trailer, the star also said, "It's so funny to see Hrithik Roshan say that [India owns Kashmir] and Pakistan has occupied Kashmir. Would anyone like to ask Kashmiris about who they serve? Because they serve no one. Kashmiris deserve an independent state, full stop. India needs to move past its entitlement of making Kashmiris slaves. That narrative is too old."

She furthered, "And if you were going to copy Top Gun, you should have done a better job. Talk about other topics, like nut bolts you can't fix in planes. But maybe get over the fact that you guys can occupy Pakistan or Pakistan can occupy India, because, at the end of the day, we were all together, in the subcontinent. So isn't it better to create some sort of love? No, but you can't do that. Why? Because, of course, Modi won't let you do it, right?" 

Actor Asad Siddiqui took to his Instagram Story to talk about the inflammatory trailer as well. "Same old chronicle!" he said. "Aren't you guys tired of selling the same false crap?! Grow up, guys! The world is moving on and getting mature but why do you want to sell this cheap story of hatred? Could have also promoted peace. Don't we have enough hatred in the world that you had to boost more hate [through] this global medium of movies?"

He continued, "We all have a responsibility to promote peace around the globe instead of hate. What are you trying to prove here with this movie though?! How about checking facts that the whole world knows? You came, and we shot your MiG-21 and captured your pilot and then we released him with a fantastic cup of tea. Wake up, you guys!"

Asad added, "And who the hell are you to decide the Kashmiris' fate?! The world is watching what you have been doing there for decades with those innocent people. Having said it all, I love my friends and family in India. Huge respect for them to love our work but this narrative of spreading hate between two neighbours for no reason is just derogatory to people who have given their lives in the name of global peace. We all belong to the creative arts and so we have the best chance and responsibility of spreading and planting reconciliation via [coexistence] mandates. Don't waste it by making such content. Please, get over it guys!"

As discussions gain momentum, the movie Fighter emerges as a pivotal subject in the broader debate surrounding the ethical obligations of the entertainment sector. The possible impact on diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan, along with its effect on public opinions, stands as a central focus in the ongoing evaluation of the film's storytelling decisions.

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