Though majority of the artists and officials in India are in support of banning Pakistani artists but on the other hand India’s Central Board of Film Certification chief Pahlaj Nihalani do not consider this step right.
When the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) banned the Pakistani artists from working in India Nihalani said, “To give a visa to any Pakistani is the sole decision of the government, and we as producers and actors, are saying they are not terrorists and that art and culture should never come in between.”
Nihalani clearly supported Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan in their decision of casting Pakistani celebrities Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan in their films as the relationships between the two countries were good and now banning these movies Aae Dil Hai Mushki and Raees seem completely wrong to him.
Nihalani said, “These artistes who have worked in these films should not be asked to leave. They have every right to work here.”
The Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi also agreed with Nihalani and said, “Logically speaking, blocking the release of the Ranbir Kapoor-Anushka Sharma-Aishwarya Rai starrer at this point of time will have zilch effect on Fawad Khan! The man has taken his fees for acting in the film and is happily back at home in Lahore now.”
Rathi made a very intelligent point that its not Fawad Khan who will suffer butthe ban will effect the Dharma Productions , Ranbir Kapoor, who is an Indian actor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, again an Indian actor and film exhibitors across India.
Indians should realize that banning Pakistani stars wont cause any loss to Pakistan but to their own film industry.