CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE
Whenever there’s a flare-up in Indo-Pak relations, the ones targeted first are artistes. “Go back within 48 hours or else...” threatens the MNS
They have some of the most memorable singers (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Adnan Sami), their actors are good-looking with oodles of talent (Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan) and yes, let’s not forget their TV serials (Zindagi Gulzar Hain,
Aunn Zara). However, whenever an incident like the Uri attack occurs, the first people to be targeted and banned are Pakistani artistes. Currently, with a 48-hour notice period, by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), that warns Pakistani artistes to leave India, we’re back to the same point: Artistes from across the border need to be stopped.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says, “By all means, take a firm no-nonsense stance against the extremists, the ISI, the Mujahideen, the Laskar-e-Tayyaba, and the Pakistan military which is perhaps covertly promoting such intrusions into our country. But why attack artistes?
Also, I think the diktat should come from the government of India. If they tell us to cease working with Pakistani artistes we will. Is the country going to be run by the rule of the law or by the whims and fancies of a handful of people? Once a foreign national enters our land with proper legal and constitutional channels, it is our duty to protect him.
“Have we asked Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India to go back? Then why artistes? ” Singer Kumar Sanu has called off his gig in Pakistan. “It was a mutual understanding between the organisers and me. The event was supposed to happen on September 26, but after the recent problems, I suggested we drop the idea. But I feel artistes should be allowed to go across the globe freely. This is a diplomatic issue, which should be solved by the bureaucrats, artistes shouldn’t be dragged into it.”
Agrees music director Shantanu Moitra who collaborated with Zeb and Hania (Sufi rock band from Pakistan) for a Dewarists video.
“When you’re musicians, Geography does not come into your head. When I think of a song, I conjure up a voice and that voice has nothing to do with caste, creed or colour. I just worked with a Balochistan artiste for Pink, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch. I think these antiPakistan feelings are a passing phase since sentiments have been churned up post-Uri attacks. Our culture is not one of banning, we are one of the biggest democracies,” says Shantanu.