24 September,2016 09:30 AM IST | | Mohar Basu
Murder 3 siren Sara Loren reacts after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) asks actors and artistes from Pakistan to leave India within 48 hours or be prepared to be pushed out
Sara Loren and Fawad Khan
Sara Loren and Fawad Khan
Murder 3 siren Sara Loren was in the city when she heard of the Uri attacks. Little did she know it would affect her directly a few days later. Yesterday, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) asked actors and artistes from Pakistan to leave India within 48 hours or be prepared to be "pushed out".
The actress, who was in the city to fulfill her professional commitments, is alarmed by the party's stand against her and her fellow countrymen. "Art is the only field where the lines of nationalities blur. There are more fans of Fawad in India than in Pakistan; Pakistanis watch Bollywood more than home films and there are more Muslims here than in Pakistan. I understand, as artistes, we become the face of our country. Aggression against an attack of terror is legitimate. But, I feel equally bad about men who died in Uri.
I have lost my father and I know what the death of a loved one feels. Men in the Army, protecting us no matter which side of the border they stand on, command equal respect. But, why ban artistes? We too are with India in their time of sorrow. We earn our livelihood here and what a certain group of extremists does, doesn't change our sense of loyalty towards India," she says.
The actress who grew up in Kuwait shuttles between Dubai and Mumbai. The unwelcome vibe has taken her by shock, but she is trying to stay calm. "If things get bad, I will go to Dubai. I have a home there. When matters settle, I will come back. I fear for my life now, but I have full faith in cops. We need to fight terrorism, not each other. I pray and hope that an incident doesn't affect the friendly relations that we had formed with this industry," she tells us.
Murder 3 producer Mukesh Bhatt says, "We are entertainers, not politicians. Our job is to stay honest to our art. If the Centre gives us in writing that we cannot hire Pakistani talent here on, we would refrain from it. Bollywood is not running a social recruitment service. Only good actors are signed for our films. But, no matter what the stand of the State is on this, Indian producers should not be victimised. I propose that any Pakistani talent, whose film is nearing completing or up for release, should be spared. "
