The Pulwama attack that left many CRPF jawans martyred has rocked Bollywood as well. The aftermath of the Uri attack saw Pakistani actors and technicians being banned in Hindi films and now filmmakers and the trade are calling for a ban on Indian films releasing in Pakistan.
Ashoke Pandit, a Kashmiri himself, and the president of the Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA) has called for a blanket ban on the trade of films with Pakistan. “We should not release films there. If anyone in India is making money from Pakistan, he should be treated as an enemy of the country,” thunders Pandit. “In fact, we should stop all trade with Pakistan, and not just with films,” he says adding that the next film to release in Pakistan — Total Dhamaal should be pulled out. “The producer of the film has to take a call because the territory would already have been sold,” he says.
Trade Analyst Atul Mohan opines, “We hope that producer Ashok Thakeria will take a call on this along with Fox Star on what should be done. Pakistan mints money when our films release there. If a Simmba was sold for five crores for the Pakistan territory, they would have made more than double. We should not allow that.” Mehul Kumar, producer and director of films like Tiranga and Krantiveer and the Senior Vice President of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) says that he has been advocating a ban for long. His films too including the Bachchan starrer Kohraam and Tiranga often spoke about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. “We should not release our films in Pakistan. Sometimes, we are angry but then we cool off and start again. This ban should be once and for all and we should not have any business with Pakistan,” says Mehul Kumar.
Filmmaker Amit Agarwal who backed films like Simran and MS Dhoni says, “I will whole heartedly support any such initiative. For me, nothing is bigger than my country. It is an open truth that Pakistan is allowing terrorist activities in India and Kashmir and our soldiers and people have already suffered a lot due to this. We all need to do our bit to secure our people. We as a nation have to fight back together. Jai Hind!” But writer-director Srivinay Salian who recently made the award winning Rakkhosh asks for art to be kept away from politics. “As individual makers, they can of course choose where their films are being released. But personally, I feel entertainment must be kept away from politics. What do they intend to achieve out of this? They must try to do it through political channels. Calling a ban, wouldn’t serve any purpose as in this digital age, content travels faster than they can sign a ban petition,” he opines. The latest Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt starrer Gully Boy also released in Pakistan on Thursday and is doing very well. Earlier the Kannada film KGF became the first Kannada film to release in Pakistan and had an overwhelming response there.
Sports and b-town celebs Condemn the pulwama attack
‘Cultural exchanges between India-Pak must stop now’
Shabana Azmi always believed the borders between India and Pakistan must not be sealed against cultural exchanges. But now, after the dastardly and gruesome Pulwama attack Shabana feels all communication and exchange with Pakistan must stop. Says the activist actress, “We will need to call halt to cultural exchange as of now. There is no way we can carry on when our martyrs are laying down their lives for us. I stand in solidarity with the grieving families.”Mithali Raj: A day of mourning for India, for humanity. Pained. Who wants this? Who endorses this! Let’s ask the right questions & give answers that offer solutions not accusations to stop this mindless killing of people. Let us stop blaming. Let us live. In peace. Let's value life! #Pulwama.
Akshay Kumar: Numb beyond belief at the dastardly terror attack on #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama. May God give peace to their souls, and strength to their grieving families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. We can’t let this be forgotten.
Aamir Khan: I am heartbroken to read about the terrorist attack on our CRPF Jawans in Pulwama. It’s so tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the Jawans who have lost their lives.
Priyanka Chopra: Absolutely shocked by the attack in #Pulwama...Hate is NEVER the answer!!! Strength to the families of the martyred jawans and the CRPF soldiers injured in the attack.
Ranganathan Madhavan: #Pulwama Who are these people who are celebrating a win after this dastardly and cowardly attack..is just condemning this enough..wipe out not just their smiles but their faces.. show us our revenge, instill dismay and dread with the retaliation.
Ranveer Singh: Disgusted at the cowardly terror attack on the #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama — my sincere condolences to the families of our brave jawans. Saddened. Angry.
Swara Bhasker: Shameful! Tragic & shocking. Jaish-e-Mohammed has brazenly & shamelessly claimed responsibility. These monsters have no soul, no humanity. Pure evil! Why does this terrorist group have safe haven in #Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI RIP our brave soldiers, strength to bereaved families.
Vicky Kaushal: Deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news of the terror attack in #Pulwama. My heart goes out to the families of the brave CRPF soldiers we lost today and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Farhan Akhtar: Just learnt of the horrific and cowardly terror attack in Pulwama. Disgusted and saddened. nited in grief with families of the CRPF jawans who lost their lives. My deepest condolences to them.
Mahesh Babu: Extremely saddned to hear of the terror attack in Pulwama. My deepest condolence, strength and courage to the families of #CRPFJawans, #RIPBraveHearts
Puri Jagan: One more SURGICAL STRIKE needed. Phir Ek Baar, Ghuss Ke Maaro Saalo Ko..
— As told to Subhash K. Jha
Sudha Ramalingam, Activist: The suicidal attack on jawans is tragic and inexcusable. Unleashing violence can never solve any issue. This is a sorry state of affairs. Misguided youth made to sacrifice his life as suicide bomber and martyr several others. Narrow interpretations of patriotism and shrill praise of the misguided sow the seeds of enemity - annihilation is no solution to any issue. It is high time serious non partisan dialogues are initiated and permanent solutions are arrived at. My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the departed.
Sumanth Raman, Political Analyst: It's a very tragic incident and we should all join hands and stand in support of our government and the armed forces. Obviously, the next step should be towards finding the cause and taking remedial action and give a fitting response as well, but without losing our cool. We should also not politicize the matter as this is an attack against the entire country and people should perceive it that way. So far all the opposition parties have lent their support to the government and their responses have been mature.
— As told to Uttara Bhattacharya
