Javed Akhtar questions Pakistani actors' silence on Uri attack

October 5, 2016

Mumbai, Oct 5: Veteran lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar today lashed out at Pakistani artistes, saying the fact they have not condemned the Uri attack is a kind of a "confession" that the country is responsible for it.

AkhtarAkhtar, 71, said he does not see any reason behind Pakistani artistes' silence on the attack. "The silence of Pakistani actors is a form of confession that Pakistan is responsible for it (the attack). If Pakistan says they aren't responsible for it, I don't see any reason any Pakistani artiste should not condemn it. If they say, 'We are not responsible' then very good, come out and condemn it," he told a news channel.

Earlier in the day, actress-MP Hema Malini sought to steer clear of the controversy surrounding the demand for a ban on Pakistani actors working in Bollywood, saying she respects the artistes but cannot ignore the sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

"As an artist I appreciate their work but I don't want to comment about whether they should live here or leave this country," she said at an event in Delhi.

"Artistes are artistes whether they are from Pakistan or India. But it is unfortunate that they are from Pakistan. I must say that they are good artistes. They have performed well here in India," the BJP MP from Mathura added.

Noted lyricist Gulzar also avoided a direct answer on the strained ties between the two nations. "Is this relevant to the programme for which we have come? Aap agar shaadi may jaayein, aur baat frontier ki karne lage, theek lagega? We should talk of Motu Patlu to the soldiers there? Be relevant to the occasion," 82-year-old Gulzar told reporters.

Actress Radika Apte was forthcoming in her opinion on the demand for ban on Pakistani artistes.

When asked about the issue at the launch of watch brand 'Swatch', she told reporters, "I think if a Swiss watch can come to the country and have their own corporate stores, I think a Pakistani actor should come here and do a film here in India. That's my statement.”

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April 24,2020

Mumbai, Apr 24: A complaint has been filed with police against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for allegedly referring to members of a particular community as a terrorist in a video released in support of her sister Rangoli Chandel, an official said on Friday.

The complaint was filed by a lawyer, Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh, at the suburban Amboli Police Station on Wednesday.

The Twitter account of Chandel, who is also the 33- year-old actor's manager, recently got suspended for alleged hate speech.

According to the complaint, while supporting her sister, Ranaut, in the video, allegedly referred to members of a particular community as "terrorist", the official said.

Ranaut had released the video some time back.

Following the release of the video, Deshmukh submitted an application to the Amboli police seeking registration of a case against the actor, the official said.

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News Network
June 22,2020

New Delhi, Jun 22: Musician Madonna, who is a mother of six, wished herself on the occasion of Father's Day on Sunday by posting adorable pictures with her kids.

Along with pictures, the 'Crazy For You' singer penned down a beautiful caption, wishing herself and every parent a 'Happy Father's Day' for nurturing and guiding their children in the best way possible.

"Happy Fathers Day to Me and to every parent out there doing their best to Nurture, Guide, Inspire, and Teach! #Lola #Rocco #David #Mercyjames #Estere #Stella," the 61-year-old singer wrote in the caption.

Madonna is the biological mother to two of her six children and has adopted the rest four.

She had adopted her first child Davida Banda back in 2006 and then she adopted a boy in 2009. The last addition to her family were the twins she adopted from Malawi.

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April 19,2020

Mumbai, Apr 19: It is important to stay united and have faith in each other to fight the coronavirus pandemic, veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar said on Sunday, expressing concerns over the attack on healthcare workers and cases of communal tension in the country.

In a video shared by Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi on Twitter, the writer urged people to stand together in this time of crisis.

"The country is undergoing a crisis at this point of time. To fight this crisis called coronavirus, it is important for us to be united. If we will keep suspecting each other or won't understand each other's intentions, there will be no unity, then how will we fight it?

"You must salute these doctors who are endangering their lives to test you. Unless you get tested, you will not know whether you have the disease or not. You can be treated only after that. It's a matter of stupidity that, I've heard, people are pelting stones on those doctors. This should not be done," Akhtar said in the 2 minute-long clip.

The 75-year-old lyricist also said that targeting a particular community defeats the goal of unity.

"I also hear that shops of a particular community are being shut, 'thelas' are being overturned or people are hit so that they can flee. This is not how unity works. We will have to believe each other. We all are citizens of this country," he said.

Akhtar appealed to the Muslim community to offer prayers from home in the holy month of Ramzan, which will begin from April 24 or April 25.

"I request all the Muslim brothers that now that Ramzan is coming, please say your prayers but make sure that this doesn't cause problems to anyone else. The prayers that you do in the mosque, you can do that at home. According to you, the house, the ground, this all has been made by Him. Then you can do your prayers anywhere," he said.

"Ensure that your speech, slogans and deeds don't create any suspicion in the minds of others. And to all the other citizens of the country, I'd say please have faith in each other, practice unity, don't resort to hatred. Only with the help of love and trust, we will be able to fight with the coronavirus," he added.

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