Pakistani Celebrities aren’t staying quiet about all the hate Pakistan is getting.
Following an attack in Pulwama, India and Pakistan have entered a pretty tense stage of their relationship. India lays the blame for the attack on Pakistan and even threatened retaliation while Pakistan responded with an appeal for dialogue.
As a result of the tension, some in Bollywood have taken to extreme measures to block out Pakistan and Pakistani talent. Salman Khan is removing songs by Pakistani musicians from his films and T-Series has taken down songs by Pakistanis too. Other actors have also given shocking statements, from Kangana Ranaut to Anupam Kher.
As always the first target in such situations has been the film industry.
Here’s what Pakistani celebrities have said following the degradation of ties between India and Pakistan.
TV actor Aamir Qureshi called for the entertainment industry to be wiser with its words.
Dear indians specially ones in entertainment business. Think before using harsh words for pakistan. What wud u do if things get better between the counties if someone like @ImranKhanPTI comes into power in india peace prevailed cultural exchanges restored? "thook ke chaatna" hoga
— Aamir Qureshi (@NikkaQureshi) February 19, 2019
Armeena Khan spoke out against keyboard jihadis on both sides of the border.
For all the wonderful keyboard warriors out there. kindly do not drag mothers and sisters into your disgusting brawls. You swear at someone’s mom then they’ll swear at yours out of retaliation. so much fun having your parents abused in public. For what? pic.twitter.com/UoWYlwOR5X
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) February 19, 2019
She also called out the BBC for their take on PM Imran’s statement yesterday.
BBC is this what heard you from the whole speech? We heard an invitation to dialogue, peace offering, cooperation, rejecting escalating violence and not pushing each other into corners. Let me correct your headline for you: “PM offers new solutions to old problems.” #disappointed https://t.co/e2hA8IB3gN
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) February 19, 2019
Samina Peerzada advocated for peace.
PEACE and only PEACE
— Samina Peerzada (@SaminaSays) February 20, 2019
Shaan fully supported Imran Khan and his stance.
Dear prime minister yeh hota hay qaum day Khitab… proud moment🇵🇰🙏🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/7vyJa6ayYk
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) February 19, 2019
He also had an exchange of tweets with Indian poet, Javed Akhtar.
Actually now is the time to come,and show the friendship and trust you have on us ..it is a fact that Pakistan has nothing to do with it , remember hate wins elections ..we condole the deaths of all the humans who died in this tragedy .. from 1947 till 2019
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) February 15, 2019
How can we forget Hamza Ali Abbasi?
#PakistanZindabad To the naive Indian masses: Seriously, i feel sorry for u tht ur media has made u believe that u did surgical strike be4 & can attack Pak anytime. I feel sorry tht u r convinced tht its bcz of Pak tht thr is unrest in Kashmr for decades. I hope u will grow up.
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 19, 2019
Gohar Rasheed did not hold back!
Hamari Qaum ko Batao kay tsunami anay walla hai to ussko dekhnay kay liye sea-view challay jatay hai. #Modi yeh qaum jang say nahie dartee, Excited hoo jatey hai 💪🏽 or #KanganaRanuat aap ko kiya bollo aapko to apni industry Bahut kuch Bol rahey hai. #PAKISTANZINDABAD🇵🇰
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) February 17, 2019
Even model, Rabia Butt viciously responded to Kangana’s statement.
Recent tweets by Kangna are nothing but a face-saving opportunity and she used it well.
No more criticism on her for Manikarnika and suddenly she's voice of the nation.
Pro Tip: Whoever is facing difficulty in their profession, play National Card. #pulwamaattack #KangnaRanaut pic.twitter.com/2AiqXoY4Me— Rabia Butt (@Iamrabiabutt) February 17, 2019
She also savagely responded to a troll who called her ‘deaf and dumb’ for her tweet about Kangana.
Vikram is here with us from India, friends. Come entertain our guest you all.
Vikram please have a seat will be joining you soon. At something important at the moment. https://t.co/t1n90wokaS— Rabia Butt (@Iamrabiabutt) February 20, 2019
Mawra Hocane gave a very dignified response to a tweet during her #AskMawra sessions.
You assumed what I would do before I did it so first things first stop judging.
2: humanity first. Every life lost is a human life lost. It’s heartbreaking!!!! Praying for sabr & more love on this side of the world.
3: stop the hate just in case someone isn’t expressive #ASKMAWRA https://t.co/QhnCsPa5ry— MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) February 17, 2019
Actor and singer, Haroon Shahid also added his voice into the mix.
Mummy ki kasam #PMIKTheStatesman nay India ko bohat achi tarha baat samjhadi hai! 👍🏼
— Haroon Shahid (@HaroonsMusic) February 19, 2019
Feroze Khan quoted the Quaid, making his stance on the matter very clear.
There is no power that can ever undo Pakistan 🇵🇰 – Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. https://t.co/MDCUcLZvJC
— Feroze Khan (@ferozekhaan) February 16, 2019
A lot of celebrities haven’t explicitly said anything yet, however, have been seen retweeting Imran Khan’s speech, meaning that they are in line with the general sentiment. It is, generally, refreshing to see that our celebrities have responded to this incident with grace and haven’t spewed hate back towards India.
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Cover image via @mawrellous / Instagram and somethinghaute.com