After a clip of Priyanka Chopra responding to a Pakistani fan at an event went viral on Twitter, the Bollywood actor received much flak and letters to the UN as well. However, Priyanka has found supporters in Ayushmann Khurrana, Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar who recently came out in defence of the Dil Dadhakne Do actor.
Ayushmann, Kangana Speak Out in Support of Priyanka
Ayushmann Khurrana said Priyanka represents India "really well" on global platforms. He told reporters at a party that celebrated the success of Andhadhun‘s win at the National Awards.
“She is not an Indian icon, but a global icon. Being a daughter of an army officer she is a good representative of India.”Ayushmann Khurrana, Actor
Javed Akhtar voiced his support for Priyanka saying at an event in Kolkata, "If her comments have upset the Pakistani establishment, they can do whatever they wish.”
“I know Priyanka Chopra personally. She is a cultured, decent and educated person and the fact remains she is an Indian. If there is some kind of a controversy and difference in point of view between an average Indian citizen (like Priyanka Chopra) and the Pakistani establishment, obviously her point of view will be an Indian point of view.”Javed Akhtar, Poet & Lyricist
Kangana Ranaut told ETimes that she understood Priyanka’s dilemma of being stuck between her duty as a UNICEF ambassador and her feelings for her country. She said she understood that “it’s not an easy choice” being “stuck between your duty and your emotions.” She added,
“Being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador sure you can’t limit your identity to one nation, but how many of us choose heart over mind every day?”Kangana Ranaut, Actor
Pakistan Minister Demands Priyanka Be Removed From Position of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Recently on 20 August, Pakistan Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, wrote to the United Nations demanding that Priyanka Chopra be removed from her position as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In the letter addressed to UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, Mazari claimed that Priyanka has “publicly endorsed” the Indian government’s “violation of all international conventions” with regards to Kashmir, and “supported the nuclear threat issued to Pakistan by the Indian Defence Minister”.
This came after Priyanka Chopra was publicly confronted about a celebratory tweet she posted lauding the Indian Air Force after its attacks on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp at Balakot in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulawama terrorist attack. She was accused of encouraging nuclear war between India and Pakistan by a Pakistani audience member Ayesha Malik.
To which Priyanka responded by saying, “I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India. War is not something I'm really fond of but I am patriotic, so I'm sorry if I hurt sentiments to people who do love me and have loved me.”
(With inputs from Times of India)
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