Hats off to Musharraf, says Feroz Khan

Hats off to Musharraf, says Feroz Khan
"The only border that really exists is the one in our minds. That is the only border which needs to be removed." Indian film icon Feroz Khan speaks his mind in a candid chat with Daily Times.

By Maria Amir

LAHORE: The arrival of a delegation of Indian actors in Lahore has brought with it, among other things, a distinct flavor of friendship and peace.

Renowned actor Feroz Khan said that his visit had been very emotional so far. "The last time I came to Pakistan was twenty years ago, on a transit flight where we stopped at the Karachi airport for twenty minutes. It was hardly even a real visit."

"I feel emotionally devastated, in a good way," he said. "The love I have received from people here is rather overwhelming, and it is wonderful to be able to reacquaint myself with old friends." "I feel that new gateways for peace have opened under President Musharraf's leadership and that he is definitely the best leader in Pakistani history," he said. Praising the government's efforts towards encouraging intercultural exchanges and cultural diversity he said, "Hats off to President Musharraf, for recognizing the fact that art has no boundaries, faith or face. It is simply 'art' and that it is meant to be shared. He is truly a great statesman and politician, and a humanitarian because he recognizes the importance of people-to-people contact."

Feroz Khan expressed interest in the current intercultural exchange of artists and film personalities in both countries. "As a producer, I truly appreciate the scope that such an exchange can offer for both these countries. If both these great nations can only recognize their similarities and cooperate, there is no reason why our combined economic and cultural strength cannot compete with the best in the world," he said.

"It is time to put the past where it belongs, in the past. Pertinent issues like Kashmir need to be handled delicately, but not by evading them and I think that the present governments of both countries are truly dedicated towards finding an amicable solution to this major standstill." He said he believed Pakistani cinema could progress with an exchange of films between the two countries. "The screening and premiere of an Indian film 'Taj Mahal' in Pakistan is a monumental event," he said. "It has set a remarkable precedent for such events to take place in the future as well.

Talking about Pakistani artists, he said, "Pakistan is a truly great country, it is a country of great art and history. With artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali, the Sabri Brothers, Mehdi Hassan, Fareeda Khanum and Noor Jehan." "There is no reason for blockages on expression," he said, "and it is always artists who carve the way to break down borders."

"We have recognized the sheer talent in some of the old Pakistani productions, like old television serials and music, some of which has even been copied by the Indian cinema, both these countries can learn from each other and gain." "The repeated occurrence of such events proves that the only border that really exists is the one in our minds," Feroz Khan said. "That is the only border which needs removing."