Bollywood lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar has reacted on the controversy regarding banning Pakistani actors by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) in the wake of the Uri attacks, allegedly carried out by Pakistan. The poet spoke at length about the issue to television channel Times Now. Javed Akhtar had earlier toldThe Times of India, "India-Pakistan's cultural relations have been lopsided. Lata Mangeshkar is the most popular Indian singer with a wide following in Pakistan. Going by the sentiment of our nation, the decision made to suspend the involvement of Pakistani artistes in our films and cultural programs appear to be inevitable. But let's hope that at some point, the relationship changes and we can balance our cultural exchanges."
Speaking to Times Now, Javed Akhtar hasn't been so subtle. Referring to Ae Dil Hai Mushkil actor Fawad Khan and any other Pakistani artiste working in India who has not reacted in any way after the Uri attack, Javed Akhtar said, "Their silence is a kind of confession from Paksitani actors that Pakistan is responsible for it. This is the least they (actors) can do. If Pakistan says that we are not responsible for it (the Uri attack)', I don't see any reason why Pakistani artistes or any Pakistani citizen should not condemn Uri and these kind of terrorist attacks. Because they say that we're not responsible for it, then wonderful, come out and condemn it! Any Pakistani who keeps quiet about it is condoning our statement that actually Pakistan is responsible for it," he said.
Which is fair enough and which is why the fans ofFawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, Atif Aslam and the like are wondering why the actors / singers have not commented either for India or against it. Either way, they will be condemned. But why be so quiet when India is offering them a job and more fame through Bollywood?