Smiriti Kalra Says That The Ban Against Pakistani Artists In India Is Not At All Justified

Jyothi Venkatesh

Following the tragic terror attack in Pulwama, the film industry took a rather firm stand by banning all Pakistani artists from working here. In fact, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) said that if an organization is found working with Pakistani actors, they will be banned from the AICWA and action will be taken against them.  While she is deeply disturbed by what has happened in Pulwama and condemns it, Smiriti Kalra feels that such a ban is not justified. “Countries are made up of people. And terrorists don't belong to any country. Artists, too, are beyond geographical boundaries. Music and arts are supposed to join hearts and cultures. And when we ban artists, we are doing exactly what the terrorists want us to do. We are scaring the same artists whom we have loved. We are spreading the same fear that we feel from terrorists. Isn't this artistic terrorism? Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘An eye for an eye will make the world blind.’ I say, if we continue this way, it will also make us deaf and mute. Obviously, it will create walls between nations. Artists go far beyond geographical boundaries. Art is supposed to join hearts and cultures. If we mix politics and art, who will gain? It is a victory of the terrorists that they managed to scare us,” she says.

The actor adds, “In times like these, artists should stand together as one, beyond boundaries. I have fans in Pakistan and many other countries. One of my favourite shows is Zindagi Gulzar Hai. That doesn't mean I don't love my country. I am very upset about the Pulwama incident. But we need to show that we aren't cowards like them. We will stand tall in the face of terror. Terrorism breaks. Artists should repair that. When we ban artists without their fault, we too suffer.”

Smiriti feels that this ban isn’t very healthy for our entertainment industry as well. ‘The entertainment industry does get affected. Our films have had some great artists from Pakistan. This collaboration between arts and talent makes us grow. It helps us learn. Art is supposed to spread happiness. But when it becomes angsty, it makes everyone unhappy. Yes, we need to retaliate. We need to give a befitting answer. Our esteemed PM Modi is doing that. It needs larger political measures and we need to trust him rather than having knee jerk reactions to spread more hatred,” she says.

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