Mumbai: Unlike his counterparts, Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan refrained from commenting over the ongoing controversy regarding the ban on Pakistani artistes from Indian film industry.
The actor, who was in Delhi to attend the trailer launch of his upcoming Hollywood film ‘Inferno’, which also stars Tom Hanks, refused to be a part of the debate by saying that this wasn’t the right platform to indulge in the discussion as he was there to promote the film.
"This is not the platform to discuss the issue. I will give another interview to express my views on the matter but not here," Irrfan Khan said at the event on Tuesday.
When probed further by the media, Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director of Sony Pictures Entertainment, came to the actor’s rescue and said, “This press meet has been called for Inferno. It is an important question, but this is not the right time or platform to address the issue.”
After the Uri attacks that saw 18 Indian soldiers losing their lives to terrorism, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had given a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes to leave the country or get ready to be kicked out, forcing actors like Fawad Khan to fly back to Pakistan.
Things got messier when Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) announced a ban on Pakistani artists and technicians for an indefinite period until normalcy returns. Though many Indian artistes have so far voiced their perspectives on the attacks, no Pakistani artiste has spoken out on the issue.
MNS Chief, Raj Thackeray had vehemently criticised Salman Khan, Om Puri and Karan Johar for opposing the ban. MNS has also threatened to stop the release of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Raees’ which features Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan respectively. Eventually, the release date of ‘Raees’ got postponed.
In an interview, Raj Thackeray had said, “We have asked the theatres to not release their movie, we must teach them a lesson, the producers are more at fault than those artists.”
The controversy has already divided Indian film industry in two parts with many supporting the ban, while few opposing it by requesting people to keep art and cinema away from political conflict.
