Filmmaker Shakun Batra whose last film "Kapoor & Sons" had Pakistani actor Fawad Khan says the current scenario against Pakistani artistes makes him sad, but chose to stay mum on whether he will again work with actors from neighbouring country or not.
"I don't know if I am happy about release of my film (before the Pakistani artistes controversy). I am sad. I do not necessarily feel happy that my film released before all this controversy. I feel sad on current state, it is unfortunate what is happening," Shakun told PTI.
Karan Johar's film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" featuring Fawad, is facing opposition from MNS, which has threatened to stall its release.
Johar had recently said that he would not work with Pakistani artistes again.
Asked if he would also follow Johar's footsteps, Shakun said, "I would not like to comment on this. I feel its unfortunate what is happening. I hope things become peaceful and everyone becomes rational."
"And if we take a stand then that stand should be applied universally be it with trade or every industry as opposed to thrown on one (referring to film industry). It needs to be pan-India stand and not just for films," he added.
Shakun believes its unfortunate on how patriotism is defined.
"I believe I am as patriotic as everyone else. I am indebted to army and soldiers. But we are not applying the stand (of Pakistani people) universally, we are just applying it to film industry just because it makes noise.
"If they apply this stand to trade and other things... None of that has stopped it's continuing. So I find that bit unfortunate and biased so it's terribly sad," he added.
Shakun and Johar are good friends and the former is glad to have the latter as his mentor in his life.
"A definition of support is restricted to social media I am the last person to be on social media. I find it terrible that one has to appreciate or be sad or support people on social media.
"People who are close to me, people who I respect and value I am there for them when they need me," he said.
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