Abir Gulaal: IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit warns of ‘strong protests’ over Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback; ‘Entire nation…’

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Ashoke Pandit, a long-time filmmaker and head of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), has vocalized his opposition to the comeback of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the Hindi film industry through his upcoming movie Abir Gulaal. In a recent conversation, Pandit stated that Fawad’s casting could stir intense reactions nationwide, and he emphasized that “the sentiment of the entire country will resonate with this decision.

In a discussion with IANS, Ashoke Pandit expressed his disagreement with the ongoing partnership between the film industry and Pakistani actors, even though there is currently a ban in place. He deemed this association as being “unwilling to uphold the nation’s values” and raised questions about the silence of any notable Pakistanis in the entertainment industry regarding terrorist activities in India.

Instead of asserting that art transcends boundaries, Pandit challenged this widely accepted notion by presenting counterarguments. He emphasized that in his opinion, there has never been a Pakistani artist who openly criticized assaults on Indian soldiers or civilians in public. According to him, artists should face consequences if they do not support their nation’s sentiments.

Pandit underscored his conviction that people nationwide might express their anger by participating in widespread demonstrations, given the circumstances.

Restating his viewpoint, he emphasized that although there have been many instances where India was targeted, not a single Pakistani artist or influential figure has publicly condemned these occurrences. He firmly believed that anyone who believes themselves exempt from national sentiments should be prepared to face the repercussions. He expressed confidence that the nation will take strong action in response to the upcoming release of the controversial film.

In 2019, after the Pulwama attack, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and significant production organizations like IMPA and WIFPA jointly decided to prohibit Pakistani actors and technical crew from working within India.

He conveyed that the present circumstances had left them stunned and profoundly wounded. Additionally, he mentioned that the Federation was planning to convene a gathering to decide on future actions. Notably, this issue has already been discussed with the highest echelons of the Federation and its associated groups.

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2025-04-04 07:22