Pak Artistes Have Every Right To Work Here: Pahlaj Nihalani

“Who are these people asking for a ban? By whose authority are they asking for this ban?” asks Nihalani.

People protesting against the ban of Pakistani artistes from working in India have found the unlikeliest possible supporter. Bollywood’s ban king, censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani has spoken out against the ban. According to Firstpost, the ban called by Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has been deemed irrelevant by Nihalani.

Who are these people asking for a ban? By whose authority are they asking for this ban? Not one producer-member of IMPPA is working with a Pakistani artiste. The ones who stand to lose heavily from such a ban are Karan Johar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who have almost completed films with Pakistani artistes

Pahlaj Nihalani, Chief, Censor Board

He also added:

These artistes who have worked in these films should not be asked to leave. They have every right to work here.

According to The Express Tribune, Nihalani also said:

Why are we talking about the artists? Instead, we should talk about India and Pakistan. To give a visa to any Pakistani is the sole decision of the government, and we as producers and actors, are saying they are not terrorists and that art and culture should never come in between.

While Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, Raees, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, will mark Mahira Khan's foray into Bollywood.

(Source: Firstpost, The Express Tribune)