Veteran lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar commented on the Pakistani artists' controversy working in India following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. In an interview on Tuesday, Akhtar posed a chilling question: "Should we let Pakistani artists work here?"
The award-winning scriptwriter noted that cultural connections between India and Pakistan are currently strained. "There is little warmth today in India-Pakistan cultural ties," Akhtar said, noting that the current mood is not the moment to discuss whether Pakistani artists should be allowed to be employed in India.
This issue can be considered in better days, and maybe, after a few years, there would be some sense of sanity that would prevail. Maybe there would be a more cordial approach from Pakistan's government towards India, and then at that time the issue can be considered again. But now it is not an issue which can even be raised," he asserted.
Akhtar also suggested that Pakistani musicians, including legendary figures like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jehan, were received with utmost hospitality by the Indian administration earlier. But he added, this was never returned by the Pakistani establishment.
His comments follow the announcement of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's film "Abir Gulaal" being denied a theatre release in India. The decision was taken keeping in mind the ghastly terror strike in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.
When asked if the ban was reasonable, Akhtar suggested that the issue be discussed at a later date. "After what happened recently, this should not even be a subject of discussion right now," he said. "With what has happened in Pahalgam, there is hardly any friendly feeling or warmth between the two nations."
Akhtar also reflected over past affection Indian masses have for good Pakistani artists and commented that celebrated poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz was not only a Pakistani but a subcontinental poet. "When Faiz visited India during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's prime ministership, he was given state guest treatment. The respect and hospitality accorded to him were unprecedented," Akhtar reminded. "But unfortunately, this has never been returned from Pakistan.
The 80-year-old legend also highlighted the lasting popularity of Indian legend Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan in the 1960s and 70s. While very popular, Mangeshkar never sang in Pakistan. "I won't complain to the Pakistanis because they loved her to bits and made her such a hit among them. But there was some logjam in the system which prevented her from singing," he said. "Within one-way transmissions of culture, fatigue will eventually follow. It is fair both ways.".
Akhtar cautioned that shutting down Pakistani artists in India will only serve the Pakistani army and fundamentalist forces who wish to drive a gulf between the two nations. "They would like to maintain this distance as it is handy for them. This kind of bonhomie we have with Pakistanis is not in their interests. It provides them a glimpse of freedom and privileges available to every Indian citizen, which they cannot bear," he asserted.
In his view, the right-wing forces in Pakistan would be upset if such cultural exchanges continued. "When Pakistani artists come to India and are exposed to the benefits of our society, they return to Pakistan and tell them about it. That is not appreciated by the right wing in Pakistan," Akhtar explained.
Read also| Preity Zinta Clarifies She Has No Plans to Enter Politics
Read also| Watch| Salman Khan Posts Poolside Photos Ahead of Upcoming Show Promotion
