Javed Akhtar: 'We love and respect Pakistan, but...', the writer spoke on Pakistani artists working in India..

Famous lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar recently spoke openly on the cultural relations between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. He clearly said that in the current situation, the question should not even arise whether Pakistani artists should be allowed to work in India. Javed Akhtar's statement has come at a time when there are reports of banning the release of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's film 'Abir Gulaal' in India. This film was to be released on May 9, but it was banned after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.

Now is not the time for this question...

In an interview with PTI, Javed Akhtar said, 'After what happened in Pahalgam, there is no friendly atmosphere between India and Pakistan. In such a situation, asking whether Pakistani artists should be allowed to work in India is wrong. This question can be raised in a better time when the relations between the two countries improve, but it is not possible right now.' Javed stressed that India always welcomed Pakistani artists, but such an attitude was never seen from Pakistan's side.

Pakistani artists were respected in India.

Javed Akhtar recalled that India always gave love and respect to Pakistani artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jehan. Referring to the famous poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he said, 'Faiz sahab was not only a poet of Pakistan but of the entire subcontinent. When he came to India during the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he was welcomed like a head of state, but Pakistan never gave such respect to Indian artists.'

Example of Lata Mangeshkar

Javed Akhtar gave the example of Swar Kokila Lata Mangeshkar and said that she was very popular in Pakistan in the 60s and 70s, but she never got a chance to perform there. He said, 'People of Pakistan loved Lata ji very much, but the system there always hindered. How long will this one-sided relationship last? We give love and respect, but get nothing in return.'

The benefit to fundamentalists in Pakistan
Jawad Akhtar also said that banning Pakistani artists in India will benefit the army and fundamentalist forces there. He said, 'They want a high wall between India and Pakistan so that Pakistani people cannot see India's freedom and opportunities. When Pakistani artists work here and go back and praise India, the fundamentalists there do not like it.'

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