People-to-people contact: Raza Murad claims Pakistan would win any game on hospitality in Olympics

On a personal visit to Pakistan, the Indian actor hopes for Indo-Pak film ventures.

KARACHI: "Had there been any game on hospitality in Olympics, Pakistan would have won it every four years," said Indian film actor Raza Ali Murad at a press conference at Karachi Press Club. "Words can't describe the love, hospitality and warmth that we have received throughout the visit so far."

The Indian actor has come to Pakistan with his wife on a personal trip.

While answering a question, Murad said that all three movies - Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Ram Lakhan and Ram Leela - have been his favourite movies and the word RAM has a unique connection with his name. He revealed that his complete name was Raza Ali Murad and abbreviation RAM. "RAM suits me a lot," he smiled.



While praising Pakistani movies, dramas and actors, Murad revealed that he was a great fan of films such as Bol, Khuda Ke Liye and Ramchand Pakistani and had seen all of these in cinemas in India. He said that Indian industry has always welcomed Pakistani artists and now it was Pakistan's turn to invite people from the other side.

Murad wished for a joint Indo-Pak film venture as well as a cultural exchange between the two countries saying that it can improve people-to-people contact. "What else do we need if misconceptions and differences are converted into love and affection through these ventures?" He emphasised on the need of good relations between the two countries.

Murad expressed that his favourite Pakistani drama was Ankahi and he was a great fan of film star Muhammad Ali, Nadeem, Mustafa Qureshi just to name a few. "I sometimes feel that Nadeem and Shahrukh Khan are from the same family as they both are excellent at expressing emotions."

He made it clear that it was just a personal visit. Murad said that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, a former prime minister of Pakistan, has given him an invitation letter for the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. He hoped that he would also visit Pakistan because he had countless fans in this country, adding that the letter has been written in response to Bachchan's statement that he wanted to visit Pakistan but has never been properly invited so far.

Murad said that artists always been welcomed in India and many of the Pakistani artists were as famous in India as they were in Pakistan. Besides, there has been no feeling of hate among people across the border.

Commenting on his visit, he said that there has not been a single moment which was not filled with love and warmth but he will never forget a teary-eyed kid riding a horse at Clifton beach, who stopped by to say that it was the happiest day of his life because he had seen him. "It was a memorable moment and I will never forget it," said Murad.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2014.