Mumbai: Following last month’s heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) enforced a strict and complete ban on Pakistani artists from working in the country.
Pictures of Pakistani actors Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane were removed from the posters of Bollywood films ‘Raees’ and ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’, respectively.
Mahira, during a recent interview, stated that it was a silly thing on part of the Indian film industry to do so and she didn’t feel bad about it.
“I didn’t feel bad about it, even for a second. I actually laughed about it. It doesn’t matter it was a very small thing to do. It was a silly thing to do and I didn’t feel bad about it,” the Pakistani actress was quoted as saying by the Siasat.com.
Asked if she would be working in Bollywood again, Mahira said, “I think we need to focus inwards; we need to focus on our own industry. I’m someone who doesn’t believe in the cancel culture or boycotts. I’m speaking broadly. But given the current situation, we’re all emotional. Instead of advocating such strong stances which is one’s prerogative we should focus on ourselves. We should invest in us (in Pakistan).”
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Mahira drew flak from her Indian fans after condemning India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and called it ‘cowardly.’
Reposting a tweet by writer Fatima Bhutto, which criticised the Indian strikes, Mahira wrote on her Instagram handle, “Seriously cowardly!!! May Allah protect our country, may better sense prevail. Ameen.”
Her post didn’t go down well with netizens in Indian, who reminded Mahira that she had earned fame by working in the Indian film industry.
‘Bigg Boss 18’ contestant Avinash Mishra too called out the actress and asked her not to come to India begging for work even after the situation improves.
Sharing Mahira’s post on his Instagram story, Avinash wrote, “O Mahira Didi, we don’t need to blame Pakistanis, the whole world has seen the evidence. Now, after the situation improves, don’t come to India to ask for work. But you will have to give in to support your country. Here, some celebs have become traitors in terms of their reach and followers count. But don’t worry, their turn will come later.”
