Arts mirrors society.
The current debate on banning Pakistani artistes has divided the industry in being called liberalists and of course, anyone who supports the ban being called saffronists, fascists and xenophobic. These labels over-simplify the complexity of human emotion. I am a liberal and a nationalist. There are scores like this in the industry.
We stand at a juncture wherein hard calls have to be taken. Our PM and the cabinet has advocated a policy of isolating Pakistan on every front. Be it the diplomatic, political, or economic fronts. Then why should we not do so on the cultural front? I see no reason why culturally there should be a leeway. Only because we are at the front end of media attention, should we have special treatment - should we on the contrary, not have greater responsibility?
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I have been hearing this argument about the monies that may be lost if we take this position. Well, let’s be clear, we and the artists are collateral damage in the commercial decisions we took when we cast these actors. Yes, we cast them with the commercial advantage of eyeing the Pakistani market and their diasporas as an added market. Let’s not fool ourselves; we cast them not only because they are talented, but as a hard-nosed business decision. Enough talent exists in India. Producers took commercial calls and enough commercial decisions have got damaged outside our industry. Ask the people who live at the border, the cell phone companies that put up networks that the government has shut down, or the families being dislocated.
The moot question that arises is whether the films that have already been shot and ready for release be banned? Well, my position in that case is simple. Leave it to the public. Their own sentiment against Pakistan - which i believe is currently very high- will reflect in the viewership of the film itself. When these films were being shot, our national position was not to isolate Pakistan. But I assure the public will isolate the films, given the current mood. 
Image Source: twitter/karanjohar
Yes, it is about patriotism. If we fool ourselves to believe there is a sense of normalcy in the industry given everything that is on going in the country, that is idiocy. Look at the step that Zee has taken - nation before channel. They have put the countries current sentiment over and above their channel’s TRPs. Should we not follow that as an example?
We choose our government and leader, and when difficult decisions are made the easiest thing is to criticise purely because we have the freedom of exercising our democratic rights and have a larger than normal voice in media. It takes a certain amount of courage to stand by a decision that puts the nation’s interest before ours - and I think as an industry we now need to do this.
Let us not forget or demean the sacrifices our jawans are making at the border defending our rights. Let’s show solidarity to them. If that means culturally isolating Pakistan, so be it. May be in that we will have done what we cannot achieve militarily, politically or economically.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of SpotboyE.com.
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