Govt permits Pakistani artistes to work in India: Nawazzudin Siddiqui

Coming out in support of Pakistani actors, Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui on Sunday said Pakistani artistes are permitted into India by the government, which has proper policies to handle such issues.

"The government allows an artiste to work in any country and they have proper policies to deal with any such issue," said Siddiqui.

Actor Om Puri and director Nagesh Kukunoor too expressed similar sentiments, though the film industry is divided on the issue of banning Pakistani artistes in the wake of Uri attack.

Filmmakers Ashoke Pandit, Anupam Kher and actor Randeep Hooda are among those who have backed the ban.

Their comments came after superstar Salman Khan opposed the ban on Pakistani actors, saying they are artistes not terrorists.

However, a debate began after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanded the ouster of the Pakistan artistes.