Filmmaker Sajid Khan along with actor Riteish Deshmukh had voiced their opinions on the ongoing debate over banning Pakistani artists in India and said that the nation comes first for them.
Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) had recently ostracised Pak celebs post the Uri attacks and the escalating tension between India and Pakistan.
This ban has created a stir in B-town with several celebs brimming with opinions over the issue.
While some celebs have criticised targeting Pak artists, Sajid Khan and Riteish Deshmukh have strongly supported the ban during a press conference regarding their upcoming show ‘Yaaron Ki Baraat’ on Zee TV.
Sajid stated that he is a proud Indian and would stand with his country whenever needed. The filmmaker also stated that he has deep respect for his nation and if the government feels that Pakistani artists should not work in India, they must go back.
Riteish Deshmukh too echoed similar feelings but in a diplomatic manner. The ‘Banjo’ actor said that movies are a minuscule part in our lives and the ongoing debate is giving excessive importance to it.
He further stated that being a true Indian it is his responsibility to stand for his countrymen and could not compromise on this.
Considering the sensitivity of the prevailing situation between India-Pakistan, Riteish said, “I feel this issue is much larger. And matters need to be resolved at much higher levels”.
Earlier, veteran actor Nana Patekar, had also made an analogous statement saying the none of the actors is above the nation. He even said that actors are fake and are just termites when compared to the entire nation.
On the other hand, celebs like Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Radhika Apte have supported Pakistani celebs and have urged IMPPA to allow them to work in India as they are coming with valid visas.
Salman had also made a point saying that art should not be mixed with politics, and artists should not be treated as terrorists.
