When working with and promoting Pakistani talent taints your reputation and you are viewed as an anti-nationalist, surrender seems inevitable, at least it was in the case of one Karan Johar whose decision to cast Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in his upcoming film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has landed him in all sorts of trouble.
When working with and promoting Pakistani talent taints your reputation and you are viewed as an anti-nationalist, surrender seems inevitable, at least it was in the case of one Karan Johar whose decision to cast Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in his upcoming film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has landed him in all sorts of trouble.
While the Indian film industry remains divided on the subject, Johar, for the most part, has continued to defend Pakistani artists until now. The high profile filmmaker whose film is being threatened from multiple entities released a video to showcase his support for the Indian army and confessed that he won’t be working with Pakistani artists for the foreseeable future.
“For me, my country comes first… When I shot Ae Dil Hai Mushkil from September to December last year, the [political] climate was completely different. There were efforts made by our government for peaceful relationships with the neighbouring country… Going forward, I would like to say that of course I wouldn’t engage with talent from the neighbouring country given the circumstance,” said Johar whose surrender before the powers that be speaks volumes on the pressure that has been haunting the filmmaker.
For some intolerant forces though, Johar’s pro-India stand didn’t come soon enough. BJP spokesperson Shaina NC, while speaking on the matter said, “I wish the directors like Karan Johar would have come out with a statement in solidarity with our armed forces after the attacks rather than let a controversy break loose.”
On the positive side, Johar’s film will be given protection as Shaina said on the issue, “Our government has decided to give protection to every theatre that is going to showcase that film.”
