Swara Bhaskar responds to criticism on Twitter

Dubai: Many Indians on Twitter joined Pakistani tweeps to criticise Veere Di Wedding actress Swara Bhaskar for calling Pakistan a “failing state”.

She had said this in response to Pakistan banning the movie. The video clip wherein she said “[Pakistan] a nonsecular state. ... is a failing state — I don’t understand why we keep taking pleasure and feeling a sense of self-worth from all the silly things that happen in Pakistan” went viral. Pakistani VJ and actor Urwa Hocane reacted to to it on Twitter.

This snowballed and soon Bhaskar was being bashed on Twitter by both Pakistanis and Indians.

@satyaji81188448 tweeted: “Guess what Indians and Pakistanis are coming together against you. You are perfect common enemy so let that sink in, just waiting when boycott swara bhaskar movement starts. People like you disgust us.” @PedestrianPoet’s commented: “Indians and Pakistanis. Divided by history, pain, sociopolitical realities, religion, terrorism. United by hating on @ReallySwara. Next Nobel for you, swara. You deserve it.”

Tweep @Krantiveer_pro added: “#VeereDeWedding: #SwaraBhaskar becomes first celebrity to be trolled in #India and #Pakistan.”

Bhaskar responded saying she was happy becoming a common cause for Indians and Pakistanis to unite. With the hashtag #DushmanKaDushmanDost, which translates to the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Bhaskar replied: “Looks like Indo-Pak peace is on the horizon! #DushmanKaDushmanDost”

She added: “Dushman ka dushman Dost! I’m totally okay with being the dushman in this case if it brings some dosti to us bickering neighbours. Peace and love guys!”

Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat also tweeted: “The comments made by @ReallySwara and Kangana Ranaut earlier just go to prove the point that I have been making. You cannot ignore 70 years of history and when the chips are down their nationalism will always come up trumps. The fault lies with us who see their industry as the height of achievement and remain so much in awe. We don’t need their validation... Friendship yes, but not at the cost of our self respect.”

She was referring to Bollywood actress Ranaut’s comments in March 2018, justifying the ban on Pakistani artists in India.

In a follow-up tweet, Bhaskar clarified: “...there should be a distinction between States/govts of a country and the people of that country. My regard for and goodwill towards the people of #Pakistan remains unchanged. Some of my closest friends are Pakistani. Lahore remains one of my soul cities.