'Ye Raste Hain Pyar Ke' makers to wait for Fawad Khan

Fawad Khan

Director Harsh Narayan's worst fears were realised when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) called for a ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood following the Uri attacks exactly a month ago. His cross-border story 'Ye Raste Hain Pyar Ke' was supposed to go on floors later next month, but shooting has now been suspended since Pak heartthrob Fawad Khan headlines the cast.

Harsh, however, hasn't lost hope; he says he will wait for the current climate of hate against Pak artistes to ease to start his film. "We have been working on the story for the last five years, and the casting began almost six months ago. Fawad is keen to do the film, but we will abide by the producers' guild's ban on Pakistani artistes. It is a temporary ban. Even the Government of India has clarified that they have no plans to revoke the visas of Pakistani artistes. I see this as a positive sign," he says.

Shyam Benegal, Mahesh Bhatt and Harsh Narayan

The film is co-mentored by veterans Shyam Benegal, Mahesh Bhatt and Pakistani painter-writer Salima Hashmi. It will carry influences of poetry, literature, especially works of Bulle Shah, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sadat Hasan Manto.

Ask Harsh if he has considered dropping the actor from the film and he says, "Fawad suits our storyline perfectly, so we are keen to have him. If the situation worsens, God forbid, then we will consider replacing him. At the moment, I am hopeful things will improve soon. We are still in talks with a few Bollywood actresses for the leading lady part." Salima, a creative director on the film, adds, "I am here to provide Harsh moral support."