...Invokes ‘Sher Khan’ and ‘Kabuliwalla’
Kabul, December 25
The memorable portrayal of a Pathan — Sher Khan — by actor Pran in Bollywood movie “Zanjeer” found its way into diplomacy as PM Narendra Modi mentioned it to underscore how Indians view Afghans as true and magnanimous friends.
And not just Sher Khan, the character “Kabuliwalla” in story by that name penned by Rabindranath Tagore too figured in Modi's speech to Afghan Parliamentarians, as did the successes of Afghan cricket team to highlight the strong cultural and people-to-people bond between the two peoples.
In his address, Modi lauded the Afghan people for their valour, courage and magnanimous friendship and then went to recite lyrics of a song in “Zanjeer” filmed on “Hindi cinema's most favourite Pathan character — Sher Khan”.
“Yaari hai imaan mera, yaar meri zindagi”, a smiling Modi said and then translated it for Afghan parliamentarians, that “friendship is my faith and friend is my life”. This, he said, is how India views Afghans in its centuries long relationship, the Prime Minister said. — PTI
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