The Indian government has not imposed any restrictions on Pakistani artists working in India but filmmakers should respect the sentiments of people while engaging them, says Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
He added Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had mediated between the producers of Ae Dil Hai Muskhil and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), did not have any role in asking the producers to pay Rs50 million (Dh2.7 million) to the army welfare fund.
In principle, Naidu says he is not in favour of imposing any ban on artists from other countries to work in India but at a time when “a proxy war” was going on with the neighbouring country, filmmakers should keep the situation in mind.
“People say art has no boundaries. Yes, art has no boundaries but countries have boundaries. That has to be kept in mind,” Naidu said.
He said that artists also have responsibility that they do not hurt sentiments of people.
“You have to understand the situation in mind. In normal times, yes.
“But in a situation where there is practically a proxy war going on and your neighbour is provoking you by encouraging and funding terrorists on a regular basis and killing thousands of people and your jawans [Indian soldiers are called jawans], in such a situation if you engage in a debate that art is our right, then that will upset people. But government has not imposed restrictions on anyone.”
Naidu feels it was the “correct” thing on Fadnavis’ part to defuse the Ae Dil hai Mushkil release row after Producers Guild approached him in the wake of threats from MNS.
“Devendra Fadnavis has done the correct thing, right thing. He is responsible for law and order situation in the state. So, he worked for resolving the issue amicably.”
Naidu says Fadnavis told him in clear terms that he had not given his consent to the producers contributing to the army fund.
“Fadnavis is not part of it. it is against the ethos, against the principles of the government [to seek funds in this manner],” the minister said, disapproving the Raj Thackeray-led MNS’s demand that the producers contribute to the fund.
