People in Pakistan loved Mom, says Adnan Siddiqui

One of Pakistans most prominent actors, Adnan Siddiqui who played Sridevi’s husband in Mom, says that people in his country loved the film and are happy with India and Pakistan’s collaboration. Excerpts from the interview:

Mom opened to an encouraging review in India. How has it been received in Pakistan? A good product is wellreceived everywhere. People here in Pakistan have loved the film and are ecstatic about the collaboration between the two nations.

You and Sajal Ali could not be a part of the film's promotions. Share your thoughts on it. Obviously it is a sad feeling when you are not able to promote a project you have spent tiring days and nights working on. But then you are relieved that the promotion lies in more than capable hands, for the likes of Sridevi and Nawaazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna.

Before you, Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan too couldn’t be in India for their film’s release. How do you look at this situation? Is there a sense of resentment among Pakistani artists on this? I wouldn't go as far as saying that there’s resentment to this situation. But I would agree it is hurting relations between artists of both the countries. The politics may steer a situation in any direction but the people of both the nations love and respect art for what it is.

Political relations between the two countries have deteriorated. How do you think the impasse between the two nations can be resolved? No matter how hard people try, our cultural ties will come out strong. We share more than just the colour of our skins, we share history, we share values, we share customs and it is just a matter of time we will start sharing our artists, directors, writers, technicians on a large scale too. I honestly believe we can find peace in art.

PHOTO: JOEL RYAN/INVISION/AP