Artistes should be kept separate from politics: JD(U)

Janata Dal (United) Member of Legislative Assembly Rajiv Ranjan on Wednesday alluded to filmmaker Karan Johar's video statement in which he said he wouldn't engage with talent from Pakistan in the future and said the ongoing row on Pakistani artistes and said that artists should be kept separate from politics.

"The artists should not be connected to the borders. The Indians are angry for sure. Pakistan has betrayed India's trust several times," the JD (U) leader said.

"As for India's traditions, talented artistes from across the world have been showcasing their creativity. One thing is very important that, after Hollywood, India's film industry is considered second biggest," he added.

Ranjan stressed that it is a matter of pride that artistes from all over the globe come to perform in our country. "In such a scenario, artistes from any nation should be kept separate from any such fatwa, declaration and warning," he added.

Filmmaker Karan Johar, in an emotional video statement pledged to stop working with Pakistani artistes and pleading the cause of his soon-to-be-released film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" said, "I respect the Indian army, I salute the Indian army...I condemn any form of terrorism...I hope all of you understand the circumstance and situation we are in and respect the fact that we love and respect our country over and above anything else."

Under sustained pressure from Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has been threatening to halt the screening of the film, Johar released a video statement in which he said he wouldn't engage with talent from Pakistan in the future.

The Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association had earlier said it would stop screening films with Pakistani actors. The ban applies to single-screen cinemas in four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka.

Trade analysts said the ban could result in a loss of Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore for the film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is scheduled for release on October 28.