Khopkar rebukes the statement issued by Salman Khan in support of Pakistani artists and threatens to take action against them.
The statement issued by actor Salman Khan in support of Pakistan artists has not gone down well with MNS Chitrapat Sena president Amey Khopkar. He said that at a time when Indian army is carrying out surgical strikes against terrorists it is not right to allow Pakistani artists to work in India. According to him people always say that it is not right to mix art with politics but India should sever ties with Pakistan which is known for promoting terrorism. Khopkar also threatened to beat Pakistani artists who are found to work in India.
“When Bajrangi Bhaijaan director Kabir Khan had gone to Pakistan he didn’t receive a good reception there. On the other hand, we still continue to welcome Pakistani artists and allow them to work here. We should not compromise on nation’s security,” Amey Khopkar said.
“It’s not the right time to shake hands with Pakistan. Pakistani artists don’t come on work visa but tourist visas. Action should be taken against them,” he added.
Khopkar also threatened to protest against production house employing Pakistani artistes. “If anybody in India will work with Pakistani actors or artistes, we will protest against them. Pakistani artists will be beaten up and so will the producers and directors,” Khopkar said.
Following the Uri terror attack, the MNS’s Chitrapat Sena (film workers association) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes to leave the country and had even threatened physical violence against them and anyone who cast them in their productions.
State industries Minister and Shiv Sena leader Subash Desai said, “We should not allow Pakistani artists to work in India. Salman Khan has issued irresponsible statements and he should have first spoken to his father before making this comment.”
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said, “We should not allow Pakistan artists to work in our country at a time our armed forces are safeguarding our country. Pakistan has been known for promoting terrorism hence it was necessary for India to carry out surgical strikes to teach them a lesson. I appreciate the initiative taken by Indian army to strike in PoK under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Supporting Salman, renounced filmmaker Shyam Benegal says, “Artists came because they were called for some project, what’s their fault? Pakistani Government has nothing to do with the individuals.”
Earlier Salman Khan backed Pakistan artists who are working in India. He said, “Those who killed our soldiers in Uri were terrorists. Pakistani artistes are not terrorists. They work after getting proper documents from the government.”
Salman issued these statements after a resolution was passed by Indian Motion Picture Producers Association banning Pakistan actors and technicians from working in India.
