Salman defends Pak artistes, angers MNS, Shiv Sena

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Friday questioned the campaign against Pakistani actors working in India, saying they were not terrorists and that art should not be mixed with terrorism. In the wake of the Uri attack, the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association had on Thursday announced a ban on Pakistani actors working in India.

Khan said, “They are artistes. We have killed the terrorists. Artistes are not terrorists. These are two different subjects. They come to our country after acquiring visa, and it’s our government who allows them with the work permit in our country.”

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal said he does not see why Pakistani artistes should be banned.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena have termed Salman’s views “unfortunate” and “naïve”.

Ameya Khopkar, president, MNS Cine Workers Association, who has been leading the protests against Pakistani artistes, said, “We don’t care what the big stars think, as this [our protest] takes into account the sentiments of a majority of Indians who are angry about the attacks by Pakistan. We are firm on our stance. We will not allow Pakistani actors on our soil.”

Senior Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said, “Salman Khan has not understood the issue properly. We never said that artistes are terrorists. Right from the start, the Shiv Sena has a firm belief that Pakistan is an enemy country. Even our leader Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that India should not maintain relations with Pakistan or entertain Pakistani artistes, authors and sports persons. Salman Khan should go and take advice from his father, who is a strong patriot and knows more.”