Don’t judge Pakistan through Veena or me: Ali Zafar

Says public figures ride on controversy everywhere but it’s not the best method for a career boost.


Web Desk February 07, 2012

Pakistan’s poster boy in the Indian media Ali Zafar has said that it is unfair to judge the entire country on the basis of what actors like him and Veena Malik do in India, Indian newspaper The Times of India has reported.

“You have to understand that she’s an individual and you can’t judge the entire community on the basis of one person’s behaviour,” Zafar told the IANS news agency, talking about Malik. “You shouldn’t even judge Pakistan through me. The whole Pakistan is not like Ali Zafar or Veena Malik.”

“And such individuals are there in every entertainment industry. In India also there are women who ride on controversies. It happens everywhere. It happens even in Hollywood,” he added.

Zafar says he makes sure he doesn’t do anything that could bring a bad name to his country. “I pay all my taxes. I make sure all paper work is in place and streamlined. I want to work in a manner that I stay away from controversies,” he said.

“Whatever films I do, I make sure that I don't do scenes or say dialogues or do stuff that could hurt people back home. In my capacity, I try and keep everyone happy but that’s just me. Everybody has their own style of working,” he said.

For Zafar, being controversial is not the best method to boost one’s career.

“It’s unfortunate ... I think one should avoid controversies as long as possible, they may help you in the short run, but I don’t think those who are talented need controversies to boost their career,” he said.

“It’s always good to stay away so that you can work smoothly. You try to stay away from trouble for your own sake and for the sake of other people. I think anybody who comes from there (Pakistan) to here (India) should be cautious and conscious, otherwise it puts others into bad light,” he said.

Zafar, a popular singer in Pakistan, forayed into Bollywood with debutant director Abhishek Sharma’s Tere Bin Laden (2010), which won him critical acclaim from all over. He was later seen in Yash Raj’s Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and right now he is looking forward to the release of his new film London Paris New York, which hits screens on March 2.

COMMENTS (20)

zubaida abubaker Texas CA | 12 years ago | Reply

Ali Zafar forgot to mention the worst enemies of Pakistan is Pakistanis themselves, the society is mired with negative, jealous, in secure people NOT all but some. For Pakistani Americans we know more about films & music in Pakistan than locals who are better informed about Hollywood. People in Pakistan needs to support it's own local artists more not use illegal downloads also patronize products that sponsor & create schools & institutions for technical coverage to spread across the world the tremendous talent from Pakistan.

Factsnotfairies | 12 years ago | Reply

Honestly, if I see one more article about a singular human being giving an entire country a bad name, I will throw something. No individual human can give you an accurate understanding of the values of a country or a culture that consists of thousands of people. You know what IS giving Pakistan a bad name, though? Legislation that systematically tramples on the basic human rights of minorities, women and children. When I see Veena Malik all I think is "That's a girl who likes to party." when I fill out a form to renew my passport and have to sign that I believe Ahmedis aren't Muslims whether I believe that or not, that makes me think "the government of Pakistan discriminates against people based on religion." Does nobody see the difference!?

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