After Bollywood superstar Salman Khan backed Pakistani artistes, veteran actor Om Puri and director Nagesh Kukunoor to have come out in support of Pakistani talent, saying art and politics should be kept separate.

The duo has opposed the blanket ban on Pakistani artistes imposed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the resolution passed by the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) on Thursday, banning all Pakistani actors from the industry in the wake of the Uri attack in which 18 soldiers were martyred. “When the government is taking an action, we all should stay quiet. It hardly matters if we send the artistes back to Pakistan, who are working here, or let them stay. I have been to Pakistan six times and have met people from all strata. I have always received love and warmth,” said the 65-year-old actor.

The national-award winning actor added that if Pakistani actors leave the projects in middle the India filmmakers would have to face financial loss. “The actors have not come here through any illegal way. They have a valid visa. If the government asks them to leave then it is different,” he said.

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukonoor said though the situation between India and Pakistan is complex, he believes art should be kept away from politics. “I have always believed that art should stand alone. Even if you take the worst periods in a nation's history, World War II, art still had its voice. I don't think the two should be mixed.”

A few days ago, superstar Salman Khan had invited the MNS wrath after he had said, “Pakistani artistes are not terrorists”.

The film industry has been divided on the issue of banning Pakistani artistes in the wake of Uri attack. Actor Randeep Hooda, filmmakers Ashoke Pandit, Anupam Kher are among those who have backed the ban.

Hooda tweeted that Pakistan should be culturally isolated. “We are trying to isolate Pakistan economically & diplomatically so the cultural isolation must follow #BanPakArtists #IndiaComesFirst #India,” he wrote.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said though he personally believes that art has no boundaries, the situation right now is such that nothing is bigger than the country.