No govt restriction on Pak artistes
new delhi — The government has not imposed any restrictions on Pakistani artistes working in India but filmmakers should respect the sentiments of people while engaging them, said Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
He also felt that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had mediated between the producers of Ae Dil Hai Muskhil and the MNS, did no wrong or had any role in asking the producers to pay Rs50 million to army welfare fund.
In principle, Naidu said he is not in favour of imposing any ban on artistes from other countries to work in India but at a time when “a proxy war” was going on with the neighbouring country, filmmakers should keep the situation in mind.
“People say art has no boundaries. Yes, art has no boundaries but countries have boundaries. That has to be kept in mind,” Naidu said.
He said that artistes also have responsibility that they do not hurt sentiments of the people.
“You have to understand the situation in mind. In normal times, yes. But in a situation where there is practically a proxy war going on and your neighbour
People say art has no boundaries. Yes, art has no boundaries but countries have boundaries. That has to be kept in mind
Venkaiah Naidu
is provoking you by encouraging and funding terrorists on a regular basis and killing thousands of people and your jawans, in such a situation if you engage in a debate that art is our right, then that will upset people.
But the government has not imposed restrictions on anyone.”
Naidu felt it was the “correct” thing on Fadnavis’ part to defuse the Ae Dil hai Mushkil release row after Producers Guild approached the chief minister in the wake of threats from Maharastra Navnirman Sena. “Devendra Fadnavis has done the correct thing, right thing.
“He is responsible for law and order situation in the state. So, he worked for resolving the issue amicably.”
Naidu said Fadnavis told him in clear terms that he had not given his consent to the producers contributing to the army fund. — PTI