Summary Reacting to threats Bollywood celebrities said arts and culture should be kept away from politics.
MUMBAI (Web Desk) – Bollywood celebrities while shunning the filthy tactics of Shiv Sena and showing support to Pakistani artists have asserted that art and creativity shouldn t be stifled, reported IANS.
The Shiv Sena, a junior partner in a ruling coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Maharashtra state government, used threats to force the cancellation of an appearance in Mumbai by Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali.
Also Read: Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali s concert cancelled in Mumbai due to Shiv Sena s threats
Besides this, the party activists also threatened Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan to disrupt the promotions of their movies Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees.
Know more: Shiv Sena threatens Fawad Khan, Mahira
Reacting to the threats, many Bollywood celebrities said arts and culture should be kept away from politics.
Film director Anurag Basu said: "This has nothing to do with art and artists. Bollywood has never got affected with this till now and never will. The ethos of India and Bollywood is very strong, which nobody can shatter. And this binds together the whole country. When we go to watch a film in the theatre, you don t think if the person sitting beside you is a Hindu or a Pakistani."
"Bajrangi Bhaijaan" film director Kabir Khan said: "I feel that arts and culture should be kept away from politics. Politics is at its place and culture exchange is at its place and above politics. There are numerous actors, singers and performers from Paksitan in our industry. They are a crucial component and they should be allowed to continue being a part of it.”
Actor Emraan Hashmi said: "There should not be any bounds on creativity. We see numerous international stars performing and there shouldn t be any bounds to that. Creativity shouldn t be stifled, everyone should be there to express."
Actress Soha Ali Khan said: "As an artist, as a citizen of the country, I consider it wrong. It s not what India stands for and that s not what films and art stand for. So, along with all the authors who re giving back their awards, so that s what we need to do."
Actress Nimrat Kaur said: "It s a free world and the pleasure of being an artist is that you can perform anywhere and reach out to people anywhere. I come from a democratic bent and I don t endorse any sort of inhibition on artist being able to perform anywhere. So it is very sad to hear this in any part of the world."
Director Mohit Suri said: “I don t believe in bans. Art should move freely across.”Previously, the Shiv Sena has also protested against the cricket matches involving Pakistan team in various parts of the country.
