I Want to Ask Ali Zafar Why He Didn’t Condemn Uri: Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher said there shouldn’t be a ban on Pakistani artists, but they should be put on the “backfoot.”

Anupam Kher. (Photo: IANS)

In the tussle between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attack, Pakistani artists working in India were asked to go back.

Several voices in the Hindi film industry have argued that banning Pakistani artists will not end terrorism. Director Karan Johar, who has worked with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan most recently, also lent his support to Pakistani actors.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, however, spoke out on the issue and said he “felt sad” that his Pakistani counterparts didn’t condemn the attack in Uri.

In an interview to NDTV, Kher said India was welcoming the artists and giving them “izzat” (respect). He asserted that “India shouldn’t impose a ban on them. But should put them on the backfoot.”

We need to make them aware that they have to say sorry about it. There’s nothing wrong with making them feel guilty.

Kher added that it didn’t make sense to sulk and cut off all conversation.

We need to have a dialogue. I have worked with Ali Zafar, I want to ask him why he didn’t condemn the Uri attack.

Kher said he understood the artists were in a quandary because they don’t want to condemn their own people. “But if they think the terrorists weren’t from Pakistan, what is their problem in condemning the attack?” he asked.