OMG! India to ban Pakistani actors in Bollywood

CINTAA to crack the whip on Pakistani actors

Turns out that foreign artistes looking to work in Bollywood have a new rule to follow. Cine and Television Artistes Association (CINTAA) has decided that it will not allow foreign artistes to take up Hindi films and television projects if they have not enrolled with them. Gajendra Chauhan, general secretary, CINTAA, says, "Only those who have come to India on an E-visa - and not B visa - can enroll with us. It may be pointed out that most Pakistani actors who have been working of late in our industry have come to India on a B visa.''

Taking on Pak artistes?

He adds that CINTAA plans to take stern action against foreign artistes who will not follow this rule. "We have written to the External Affairs ministry asking for guidelines to be followed by Pakistani artistes who come to seek work here. Pakistan has not been kind to Indian artistes and their artistes come and take away our people's work here; this is not acceptable to us at all," says Chauhan.

He points out that Pakistani actress Veena Malik was asked to enroll with CINTAA when she was working in India. "Veena had told me that Pakistan does not issue E-visa to its artistes who come to India to work in the film industry," he says.

Enroll first

Chauhan also says that from now on, CINTAA will take a stand against foreigners - regardless of the country - who haven't enrolled with them. "Indian money is being spent abroad but we aren't getting much in return. It's time to change that by being firm against erring artistes," he says.

Khoobsurat actor Fawad Khan, Humaima Malik and an actor from Kapil Sharma's Comedy Nights with Kapil are among the Pakistani talent that has been working in India without an E visa.