'I don't take our government seriously': Abhay Deol speaks out on Pak artist ban

Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities have been voicing their opinions on the ongoing palpable tension between India and Pakistan but they have either been diplomatic or stuck to conformist opinions. However, Abhay Deol, the torchbearer of indie-cinema in Bollywood, has spoken up and how!

The actor, who was attending the on-going MAMI festival, minced no words when asked to opine on existing political crises between the two countries.

“Why are you doing a half-hearted job? Ban the business dealings, the import, the export because when you do half a job no one will take you seriously. I don't take the government seriously because they are only banning us from collaborating with artistes. They are not banning businessmen from making business," he commented.

The 'DevD' actor elaborated, adding, "So, if you really mean what you say, then go the distance. Then I will take you seriously. Right now it is not looking like you mean it, it just looks like it gets you a lot of publicity and makes a lot of noise. But really what is the point of it? I will support it if you think banning anything to do with Pakistan is going to help our jawans, fine. But I don't see the whole distance. I see one little thing looked at and banned and another part being left. Sounds hypocritical to me.”

The actor had no qualms calling things as they were.

Aamir Khan, who had kicked up a storm with his comments saying wife Kiran Rao was scared to live in the country owing to the growing intolerance, chose to keep mum when prodded on the issue, uncharacteristically enough. Nephew Imran Khan also chose to keep his perspectives to himself, fearing severe and violent backlash.

All said and done, Abhay sure does deserve some major props for putting his amazingly coherent perspectives across.