News Desk |
The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz receiver Mehwish Hayat has expressed disappointment over Amitabh Bachchan’s refusal to play a ‘Pakistani’ character in Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty’s directorial debut. She, while expressing the disappointment stated that the shared culture and movies have the immense power to withheld peace in times of conflict.
The actress took to Twitter and stated that “If true, this is very disappointing. Movies have the power to build bridges especially when tensions are high. I guess that in the end nationalism trumps everything – I hope that we can also take heed before we gush about all things Bollywood in future”, the actress tweeted.
If true, this is very disappointing. Movies have the power to build bridges especially when tensions are high. I guess that in the end nationalism trumps everything – I hope that we can also take heed before we gush about all things Bollywood in future.https://t.co/XqYQZjN53d
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) April 11, 2019
Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has reportedly refused to play a Pakistani character in his upcoming venture owing to the worsened Pakistan-India relations after Pulwama attack. As per the sources, Bachchan has taken the decision to avoid the wrath of Hindu nationalists and right-wing extremists.
Read more: Amitabh Bachchan refuses to play “Pakistani” out of fear
Amitabh Bachchan believes he might be called ‘anti-nationalist’ if he plays the role of a peace messenger between the two countries. It was stated that initially, Amitabh Bachchan was very excited to play the role in the movie, however, the recent border skirmishes at the border had forced Amitabh Bachchan to reconsider his decision.
According to media reports, “Resul had been discussing the film’s script with Bachchan sahab for two years now. Bachchan Saab loved the peace message in Resul’s Indo-Pak story. Resul waited for him and they were finally supposed to go on the floors. But, when relations worsened between the two countries, Bachchan started having second thoughts.”
Read more: Mehwish Hayat dedicates Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to ‘all the other girls in Pakistan…
Pakistani celebrities have already been facing restrictions on working in the Bollywood after the producer’s association placed a ban. Veteran actress Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar called off their visit to Pakistan to attend a literature festival that unfortunately coincided with Pulwama attack.
Research & writing by Rida Hussain with editing and additional inputs by Sana Mushtaq at the GVS News Desk.