As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, the entertainment worlds show solidarity with their governments. But, does it make any sense Industry insiders weigh in.
As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, the entertainment worlds show solidarity with their governments. But, does it make any sense Industry insiders weigh in.
As the two countries lock horns following the Uri attack and the consequential surgical strikes by India, entertainment industries on both sides of the border, too, seem to be up in arms to support their respective countries.
Last week, soon after several Indian politicians voiced their opinions to ban Pakistani actors from working in India, Pakistan followed suit. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog, stated on Saturday that the association would ban “illegal” Indian television channels in Pakistan and imposed a cap of less than six per cent of air-time to telecast Indian television channels. It has also been reported that on Thursday, several Pakistani halls have stopped screening Bollywood movies, after the Indian army launched surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
However, this is not the first time that the entertainment industries are showing “solidarity” with their governments. “During a previous Indo-Pak war, Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt, who were the stars of the era, would go to the borders and entertain and encourage soldiers. So, no matter what, the entertainment industries have always backed their respective governments,” says film historian S.M.M. Ausaja.
However, according to him, the ban of Hindi films in Pakistan will translate into a greater loss for them. He says, “Indian films are highly popular there, and their film industry is not in a good shape. Although television,” he adds, “is equally good, if not better in Pakistan. I remember once a Pakistani television personality had told me that if Amitabh Bachchan ever came to their country, cities would come to a standstill.” But above all, he feels that art shouldn’t be associated with politics. “I find these stances funny because they are nothing but populist measures to keep the masses happy. Often, right-wingers propagate them. Let’s face it; no star can really impact policies between countries,” he says.
Echoing similar views, filmmaker Ketan Mehta says, “This seems like a tit for tat thing. But, I strongly believe that culture and arts should be left out of these political issues, since they are — and need to be — global entities.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, a day after his birthday, television artist, Archana Puran Singh says, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. This India versus Pakistan issue is something that has been going on for a long time. We will retaliate, and they will have a response — this is going to be endless. It’s a political matter that is permeating into our social and cultural spheres. If you look at it objectively, if there are sentiments involved, nations are bound to react, instead of responding. The solution is definitely not banning TV shows — this is an emotional reaction,” she says.
According to Archana, these stances are a way to vent out emotions. “If banning Pakistani shows in India helps a body in expressing their hurt or emotional concern, then it is alright.” She adds, “Right now emotions are involved, and it is more than just a war. It’s about a country trying to fight terrorism and save its borders, and civilians. If banning TV shows helps express their sentiments, then I am okay with it.” Musician Ehsaan Noorani, who as an Indian is “angry and hurt” says, “I am not bothered with this whole issue. Although, in the past I have said that musicians are peace bearers and all, I don’t think they are going to achieve much out of this. They can do whatever they want. What difference does it make Are they tackling the real problem No. The real problem is terrorism and it is going unaddressed.”
Pointing at a sense of loss, he Ehsaan says, “It is sad how our soldiers die year after year, over this same issue. There are people living in that country as well, who don’t want anything to do with this war, but they are being dragged into this.”
While the crackdown on illegally broadcast channels is in force, effective immediately, the cap of six per cent airtime will be implemented from October 15 onwards.
However, in the age of Internet, when pirated streaming is rampant, it is not a difficult task to view content from anywhere in the world with just a click. Filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar says, “The industry has taken a unanimous stand that art should be kept out of this. Even before Zindagi brought Pakistani TV shows to the country, people were watching them anyway. And today, with the Internet, people will watch them anyway; staying connected is easy,” he concludes.
