Chennai: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan condemned the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam stating on his social media page that ‘Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam,’ The Indian Express reported.
Fawad, previously starred in Hindi films like Khoobsurat, Kapoor and Sons and Ae Dil hai Mushkil, was set to make a comeback to Bollywood with his film Abir Gulaal, starring alongside Vaani Kapoor, to hit the screens on May 9.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time,’ Fawad was quoted as stating.
Even as the actor came out openly condemning the attack, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has announced a ban on Pakistani artistes.
His co-star Vaani Kapoor, expressing grief at the loss lives in the terror attack, wrote: ‘Have been numb, at a loss of words since the time I have seen the attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. Gutted. Devastated. My prayers are with the families.’
Announcing to take ‘necessary steps’ to ensure Fawad’s upcoming movie ‘Abir Gulaal’ is not released in India, FWICE called for a ‘complete non-cooperation with all Pakistan artistes, singers, and technicians within the Indian film and entertainment industry’.
Condemning the attack, FWICE wrote, ‘This despicable act, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF)-a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-specifically targeted a religious community, echoing the horror of the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.’
Emphasizing ‘unwavering commitment to national interest and solidarity’, FWICE said it was reiterating its directive originally issued on February 18, 2019 seeking ‘complete non-cooperation’ with all Pakistani artistes.
Taking note of collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the movie ‘Abir Gulaal’, the federation said it was compelled to issue again ‘a blanket boycott’ on all Pakistani artistes, singers, and technicians taking part in Indian films or entertainment projects, according to The Indian Express.
FWICE made it clear that any members of the federation including actors, directors, other technicians and Producers or the Production houses cooperating with Pakistani artistes would face disciplinary action.