Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Tuesday tweeted in support of 'Dangal' actress Zaira Wasim who was subjected to vicious trolling after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
Aamir Khan breaks silence, hits back at trolls attacking 'Dangal' actress Zaira Wasim
Aamir Khan and Zaira Wasim. Pic/YouTube
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Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Tuesday tweeted in support of 'Dangal' actress Zaira Wasim who was subjected to vicious trolling after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
This is what Aamir Khan tweeted:
Pic/Aamir Khan's Twitter account
Zaira Wasim on Monday issued an apology for meeting Mehbooba Mufti but later withdrew it after receiving support from well-wishers, including Bollywood celebrities and politicians.
The 16-year-old, who played the role of young Geeta Phogat in 'Dangal', met Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday, who enquired about her education and interest in other creative fields like acting.
However, the Srinagar-based Zaira was trolled on social media when photos from the meeting emerged.
The photo of Mehbooba Mufti and Zaira Wasim for which the actress was trolled
Without saying what she was sorry for, the actress took to social media on Monday to apologise for hurting the sentiments of fellow Kashmiris and posted that she does not want anyone to follow her footsteps or even consider her as a role model.
But politicians like former J&K CM Omar Abdullah and film celebrities Javed Akhtar, Anupam Kher and Vivek Agnihotri came out in her support, lashing out at those who trolled her, questioning her 'azadi' (freedom) in the country.
Omar Abdullah posted: "A 16 year old shouldn't be forced to apologise and that too allegedly for meeting Mehbooba Mufti. What are we coming to! I've a problem with Mehbooba Mufti trying to usurp other peoples success to cover up her own failures but why punish/troll people she meets?"
A 16 year old shouldn't be forced to apologise & that too allegedly for meeting @MehboobaMufti. What are we coming to!!!!! https://t.co/MFz3ZKykV1
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 16, 2017
I've a problem with @MehboobaMufti trying to userp other peoples success to cover up her own failures but why punish/troll people she meets?
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 16, 2017
These people succeed IN SPITE of the Govt not because of it so it's best to let them enjoy their success instead of trying to hijack it.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 16, 2017
Javed Akhtar wondered whether Zaira had 'azadi' to do as she wished and tweeted: "Those who shout 'azadi' from the roof tops don't give an iota of azadi to others. Poor Zaira Waseem had to apologise for her success. Shame!"
Those who shout AZADI from the roof tops don't give an iota of AZADI to others .Poor Zaira Waseem had to apologies for her success Shame !!
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 16, 2017
Anupam Kher, too, expressed his support for the young actress, calling her his role model and posted: "Dear Zaira Wasim, your apology letter is sad but full of courage. It exposes the cowardice of people who made you write it. But you are my role model."
Dear @zairawasim! Ur apology letter is sad but full of courage. It exposes d cowardice of people who made u write it.But u r my #RoleModel. pic.twitter.com/fCF2zlzvzC
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) January 16, 2017
Vivek Agnihotri also shared instances from his past and lashed out at individuals for not taking a stand in support of Zaira.
Told a news channel that they are trivialising the #Zaira issue by blaming the trolls. Instead media should name wahabi/ Islamist jehadis.
— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) January 16, 2017
Later, however, Zaira deleted the apology and posted a clarification -- but this, too, the actress took down later.
The now-deleted clarification read: "Regarding my last post, I have no idea why this has become such a big issue. I just wanted to make sure that I did not hurt anyone's feelings and all of a sudden it has been turned into national news. Again and again I am telling people that I have not been forced into anything by anyone."
"This post was not meant against anyone, just wanted to make sure that people were not hurt by what I was doing. From media to everyone else, please don't blow this out of proportion. Neither was I forced nor am I against anyone. Hopefully this post just stops this once and for all."
Also read: Babita and Geeta Phogat back 'Dangal' trolled teen actress Zaira Wasim
Zaira rose to fame as young Geeta Phogat in the Aamir Khan blockbuster 'Dangal' which has been lauded by the audiences for its powerful portrayal of the story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who, much to the disapproval of his wife and his whole village, trained his daughters Geeta and Babita to wrestle.
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