Karan Johar has finally spoken up on the debate around Pakistani artistes being featured in Indian films. His upcoming directorial venture Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is right in the eye of the storm since Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is a part of the film’s main crew. ADHM has been banned for being screened in theatres across India and MNS has issued threats to all theatres who defy its diktat.
There’s been some talk about why I remained silent for the past two weeks. Today I would like to clarify that the reason why I chose to remain silent is because of the deep sense of hurt and the deep sense of pain that I felt, that a few people, would actually believe that I’m being anti national. I need to say this and I say this with strength, that for me my country comes first. Nothing else matters to me but my country. I’ve always felt that the best way to express your patriotism is to spread love and that’s all I’ve ever tried to do through my work and my cinema. When I shot my film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in September to December last year, the climate was completely different, the circumstances were completely different. There were efforts made by our government for peaceful relations with the neighbouring country. And I respected those endeavours then and I respect the sentiments today. I understand the sentiment because I feel the same. Going forward I would like to say that of course I will not engage from talent from the neighbouring country given the circumstance. But with that same energy I beseech you to know one thing. Over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears into Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and I don’t think it’s fair to them to face any kind of turbulence on account of other fellow Indians. I respect the Indian army, I salute the Indian army for everything they do to protect us. I condemn any form of terrorism, especially that which would effect my people, my country and me. I hope you all understand exactly the circumstance and situation that we’re in and respect the fact that we love and respect our country over and above anything else.Karan Johar, Filmmaker
Karan clarifies his stand on the matter saying that nothing means more to him than India and its defence forces. He also goes on to explain that his film was conceived and made at a time when the political atmosphere between the two countries was not charged up. In a video message, Karan pleads viewers, governments, filmmakers and party leaders to consider the circumstances under which he made his film, and the loss of his 300 member crew, if ADHM does not make it to theatres.
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