Caught in crossfire

They have some of the most memorable singers (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Adnan Sami), their actors are good-looking with oodles of talent (Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan) and yes, let’s not forget their TV serials (Zindagi Gulzar Hain, Aunn Zara).

However, whenever an incident like the Uri attack occurs, the first people to be targeted and banned are Pakistani artistes. Currently, with a 48-hour notice period, by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), that warns Pakistani artistes to leave India, we’re back to the same point: Artistes from across the border need to be stopped.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says, “By all means, take a firm no-nonsense stance against the extremists, the ISI, the Mujahideen, the Laskar-e-Tayyaba, and the Pakistan military which is perhaps covertly promoting such intrusions into our country. But why attack artistes?

Also, I think the diktat should come from the government of India. If they tell us to cease working with Pakistani artistes we will. Is the country going to be run by the rule of the law or by the whims and fancies of a handful of people? Once a foreign national enters our land with proper legal and constitutional channels, it is our duty to protect him.

“Have we asked Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India to go back? Then why artistes? ” Singer Kumar Sanu has called off his gig in Pakistan. “It was a mutual understanding between the organisers and me. The event was supposed to happen on September 26, but after the recent problems, I suggested we drop the idea. But I feel artistes should be allowed to go across the globe freely. This is a diplomatic issue, which should be solved by the bureaucrats, artistes shouldn’t be dragged into it.”

Agrees music director Shantanu Moitra who collaborated with Zeb and Hania (Sufi rock band from Pakistan) for a Dewarists video. “When you’re musicians, Geography does not come into your head. When I think of a song, I conjure up a voice and that voice has nothing to do with caste, creed or colour. I just worked with a Balochistan artiste for Pink, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch. I think these anti-Pakistan feelings are a passing phase since sentiments have been churned up post-Uri attacks. Our culture is not one of banning, we are one of the biggest democracies,” says Shantanu.

Zee plans to stop Zindagi
On Saturday, chairman of Zee and Essel group, Subhash Chandra tweeted about how, hurt by Mia Shariff’s stance at the UN talks, Zee is considering stopping Pak’s TV channel Zindagi programmes. Zindagi as we know, has been one of Pak’s most popular exports to India, making a place for itself amidst the very popular Indian television dramas.

But Business as usual
India and Pakistan have witnessed $2.61 billion official trade in FY2015-16, while business routed through a third country like the UAE is huge. According to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), India had exported $2.17 billion goods to Pakistan, while importing $441 million from its estranged neighbour. The top 10 Indian exports to Pakistan in value terms are cotton, polypropylene, chickpeas, woven fabrics, yarn, refined sugar, tomatoes, reactive dyes, polyester fabrics, viscose rayon fibre, and groundnut, etc. The top 10 exports by Pakistan to India in value terms are light oils, dates, Portland cement, petroleum oil, cotton, gypsum, aluminum, denim, rags and hides.

Indo-Pak series bombed
Tensions across the border have spilled into high profile boardrooms now with the cash awash BCCI saying no to playing Pakistan in a bilateral series, a move that leaves Pak lot poorer morally and financially. It is well known that any series with India fetches bushels of bucks to the cricket boards involved via sale of television rights and by isolating the ‘enemy’ the BCCI has hit Pakistan where it hurts the most. This surely is salt in a sulking Pakistan’s wound — their players are already barred from the high-paying and immensely popular IPL.
— Anurag Thakur, BCCI president

Art fosters good spirit
Artists are in the limelight for their work and so it is very obvious that they will be targeted. People who don’t get coverage are the ones who come up with such ideas. That said, one also needs to understand that the families of the slain soldiers are the ones who are dealing with the loss, and terrorism is what we need to focus on. But, when there is such turmoil in the country, it is always better that Pakistani artists lie low. The onus also lies with the people to understand that art, culture, sports, etc., have nothing to do with terrorism.
— Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Grammy-award winning musician

Art and Culture Must Mingle
I am against terrorist attacks, but I am also  against this move of sending Pakistani artistes back. When we used to initially host our annual show, we would only look at talent in Hyderabad and only when we opened the show to talent across the country, were we able to look at the wonderful talent pool. Only when different cultures meet can the result be good. Art and culture are always a soft target and that shouldn’t be happening.
— Lakshmi Nambiar, art gallery owner

Need to combat terror
We shouldn’t involve artistes but relations with Pakistan have deteriorated to such an extent that given the current crisis I don’t think we can have Pakistani artistes coming here. But the artistes from Pakistan who have legitimate visas and work permits should not feel threatened by MNS.

They’ve been ensured safety by the Mumbai police. We need to first combat terror. Removing Pakistani artistes does not solve problems  between India and Pakistan.
— Shaina N.C.,politician, and social worker

Art needs to be appreciated
Politicians can’t stop the cultural exchange between two countries to meet their dirty political agenda. Why is it wrong for Pakistani artists to come here and perform? Many believe that when Indian artists go to Pakistan they are not treated well, but that is not true. I have been there and have displayed my work too, and I have been welcomed and my art has been appreciated.  A good artist can survive in any country. Don’t be jealous of others. Learn to appreciate good work.
— Fawad Tamkanat, artist

They take away our share of popularity
Since the last 10 years, my team has been trying to go to Pakistan to perform, but we’ve always been denied a visa. On what grounds they deny, we don’t know.  But their artists not only come to perform here, but manage to also settle down, buy property and flourish here. Just a few months back, Anupam Kher wanted to attend the literary meet in Pakistan, and he was denied the visa.

There is one actor/singer from Pakistan whose name I don't want to take. He's had domestic issues with his wife as well as property issues. Now, our courts are dealing with all his matters. It is our money and our time.

Ultimately, if someone from outside is coming here and making a name for himself, he is taking away somebody else's share of popularity and success. If they were to welcome our artists as well, I probably wouldn't feel this way.

Targeting artists is more symbolic than literal in nature. But it is unfair to ask them to leave within 48 hours. They should at least be given a month to go back from here. If an actor leaves suddenly, the entire team will have to bear the brunt because the show cannot go on.
— Rakesh Bedi, Film, stage and television actor