Salman says Pak artistes not terrorists, sparks row

New Delhi, September 30

A row broke out today over remarks by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, director Anurag Kashyap and Shyam Benegal that boycotting Pakistani artistes in Bollywood is no solution to terrorism.

Salman said artistes came to Bollywood with proper visa and work permit. His comments came in the wake of Indian Motion Picture Producers Association’s resolution to ban Pakistani actors from the industry following the terror attack on an army camp in Uri.

Raj Thackeray-led MNS had also issued an ultimatum to Pakistani artistes and actors, including Fawad Khan, to leave India.

Filmmaker Shyam Benegal said: “The actors are here because they have been invited to act in Indian films. If they were representing their government, then clearly they should go back. They are here as individual artistes. I don’t see why they should be asked to go away.” Anurag questioned whether banning Pakistani artistes would solve the problem.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit slammed Salman and Benegal for their comments. — PTI