News Desk |
Indian Filmmaker, Shonali Bhose expressed her wish to cast Pakistan’s Fawad Khan in her next film but says she cannot after the official ban imposed by Indian Film Association. She expressed her wish in a panel discussion ‘Controlling Creativity- Is censorship relevant’ alongside veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal at the Ficci Frames 2018 on Tuesday.
She was asked how the continued restriction from the Central Board of Film Certification is blocking freedom of expression and creativity.
“Instead of taking action to protect the rights of women and project their image under the right light, they are restricting filmmakers from doing their work freely.”
Fawad Khan last appeared in Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ in 2016. The producer and Pakistani actor faced immense opposition from the protestors headed by BJP’s leader.
“Cinema should be free… For instance, Pakistani actors are not allowed to work in Indian films, and this decision is supported by Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association. What if I want to make a film with Fawad Khan?”, Shonali said.
The moderator reminded her that with this wish she might be labeled as ‘anti-national’ among the public.
“That is the problem with our country nowadays. I speak of friendship between two countries. I want to make a film with Fawad Khan and nobody will allow me to make the film; producer will not back the film because of the risk and fear that has been created around it.”
Read more: Fawad Khan makes online media debut with new web series
Extremists and political outfits are constantly campaigning to ban Pakistani artists working in the Indian film industry since 2016.
Fawad Khan last appeared in Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ in 2016. The producer and Pakistani actor faced immense opposition from the protestors headed by BJP’s leader.
Recently, Union Minister and former singer Babul Supriyo came out with a call to ban Pakistani artists. The recent uproar has led associations in Indian film industry to pass an official resolution to ban the Pakistani artists at least for a brief period owing to the escalating border rift between India and Pakistan.