Bollywood actress Radhika Apte, who is garnering limelight for her latest movie ‘Parched’, said that Pakistani artistes should not be banned from working in the Indian film industry.
The 31-year-old actor is the latest to join the debate that whether Pakistani actors should be allowed to work here after the Uri attack in which 18 army men lost their lives.
She was asked about the issue recently when she attended the launch of a watch brand.
To which Radhika said, “I think if a Swiss watch can come to the country and have their own corporate stores, I think a Pakistani actor should come here and do a film here in India. That’s my statement.”
Notably, following the URI attack Raj Thackeray’s MNS had asked Pakistani artistes like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan to leave India. They even threatened to stall their film shoots if they fail to abide by the instructions.
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They also demanded a ban on Pakistani artists working in the Indian film industry.
Subsequently, Indian Motion Pictures’ Artists Association (IMPAA) came out with a resolution to ban all Pakistani artistes and technicians till the relations between the two neighbours normalise.
Bollywood has been divided on the issue of ban on Pakistani artistes.
Superstar Salman Khan, filmmakers Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Hansal Mehta, Nagesh Kukunoor and veteran actor Om Puri are among those who have opposed the ban while celebrities like Randeep Hooda and Sonali Bendre have backed it.
