30 September,2016 01:05 PM IST | | Mohar Basu
Producers' guild rules against working with actors, singers and technicians from neighbouring country until further notice
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan
A day after producer TP Aggarwal dropped a Rahat Fateh Ali Khan song from his upcoming Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) headed by him banned all artistes and technicians from across the border.
The decision came after producers raised the issue at the annual general meeting on Thursday.
TP Aggarwal says, "After the Peshawar attacks (in 2014), each Indian artiste had expressed grief. (School) Children were killed mercilessly and it is not human to pardon that. But, none of the Pakistani actors are doing it (expressing sympathy post the September 18 Uri attacks). They criticise each terror attack, why is India any different? Many of them work here and it is beyond me why they can't raise their voice."
The association's vice president, Ashoke Pandit clarifies that the ban will not affect films that have begun production or are on the verge of completion or release. "The decision to ban them is not permanent. But, keeping in mind the present scenario, it is better if we maintain distance (from Pakistani artistes). This is the oldest producers' association in the industry and 70 per cent of producers, be it regional or Bollywood, are a part of this. Most corporate houses, too, are affiliated to us. But, the resolution applies only to future films. We, as a group, didn't want to remain silent on the issue," he adds.
