Movie
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"Nazar"
Pakistan might restrict actors from appearing in Indian movies after
Pakistani superstar Meera's "vulgar" scenes in her film Nazar , Meera is
currently in India shooting for Nazar , directed by Soni Razdan and written
by Mahesh Bhatt. It is her first appearance in a Bollywood film.
The scene from the movie Nazar , starring Meera and Ashmit Patel.Official
sources here said the film's "objectionable scenes" showing Meera kissing an
Indian actor had prompted the Pakistan government and the culture ministry
to impose a heavy fine on the popular actress.
The sources said people had reacted strongly to some of these scenes as they
were against Islamic ethics and moral values.The government has directed the
culture ministry to take severe action against Meera as Pakistani actors
visiting other nations were seen as ambassadors of the country.
Meera had earlier this month claimed in Mumbai that a Pakistani religious
group, which she did not name, had been making threatening calls to her. The
calls began after still showing her in a clinch with her Nazar co-star
Ashmit Patel were circulated in December.'Even if I have kissed, what wrong
have I done?'Is it a big deal for a hero and heroine to kiss on screen?
Well, if you are the Pakistani goverment, it certainly is! In fact, an
outraged Pakistani government has fined popular Pakistani actress Meera for
kissing Ashmit Patel in her Bollywood debut, Nazar. The film is directed by
Mahesh Bhatt's wife, Soni Razdan.
"A certain lobby in Pakistan is purposely tarnishing my name because I am
doing a Bollywood film in India," Meera tells."I have come here as a peace
ambassador and there is a particular lobby in Pakistan that cannot digest
this fact."
Meera tells about the fine the Pakistani government has imposed on her for
doing the kissing scene in Nazar that At the moment, I have no idea.I have
got a letter from the Pakistani government but it's currently at the
Pakistani embassy in New Delhi. I don't know the details of the letter.Right
now, I am in shooting in Panchgani (a hill station near Mumbai).I am very
disturbed by this news. Whatever happened is very bad.
We are doing this film to promote Indo-Pak ties. People have neither seen
the promos, nor the film, and they have started gossiping about the kissing
scene. These are the people who are against Indo-Pak friendship, and they
are targeting this film through me.She says I think some people in Pakistan
are trying to destroy my image. But I don't know who they are.They are
trying to make sure our film industries do not come together.I will talk to
the Pakistani high commissioner and the information ministry of Pakistan and
clear my stand.
She says Nazar is the first joint-production between India and Pakistan. I
am a Pakistani passport holder, and the first Pakistani heroine to come to
India and shoot for a [Indian] film. Those who are opposing me are saying
Ashmit Patel is Hindu and I am Muslim. They have stooped to such a low
level, and are sounding so stupid.Mahesh Bhatt is a sensible filmmaker and
he is one of the biggest intellectuals of South Asia. I am sure people know
he will not get into anything like this. As far as the film is concerned, it
is a mystery. It is a positive subject and a film that will promote
friendship between the two countries. There is no controversy in it.
We just performed at a Sanjay Dutt show. In the same way, some Indian
artists are going to Pakistan to perform. But a section of people don't like
it.
What
is the general opinion of the people in Pakistan about this issue? Are they
positive about a Pakistani actresses working in India? Very positive! In
Pakistan, people tell me, 'Meeraji, go to India and work!'Kissing scenes are
becoming common in our film industry. Don't Pakistani heroes and heroines
kiss on the big screen? I don't want to talk about this. I don't want to get
into a controversy. I am a positive girl, and don't want to talk negatively.
If it becomes a serious matter, I will open my mouth.
Now, I want to avoid controversies. I want to keep the friendship between
the two countries intact.
I don't understand -- even if I have kissed, what wrong have I done? It does
not matter. It is just a normal shot in the film! i have never kissed in a
Pakistani film. The censor board in Pakistan will not allow it. It is a
Muslim country. If you compare that with Bollywood films, you see kissing
all the time. Shah Rukh Khan is kissing his heroines on their neck and
cheeks. It is very casual and normal here.
Inshallah, I will have a press conference later and clarify my stance when I
come to Mumbai.Are Pakistani actresses allowed to wear revealing clothes or
is that censored as well? No, it is not that restricted. If they say they've
fined me, then I can show many Pakistani films to the government that were
not censored! I can directly point those films to the government and ask
them where the censor board was then! It is just because I am doing a role
in India that they are objecting. I am playing a role of peace of ambassador
in India. They are trying to destroy my role because I am the first
Pakistani actress to work in India.
But this gossip is making my life miserable. If I start asking questions, no
one will have the answers. When Pakistani actresses Salma Agha and Zeba
Bakhtiar came here, no objections were raised against them. So why are they
targeting you? They are British passport holders. I am the first Pakistani
actress with a Pakistani passport. After 56 years, I am the first Pakistani
actress to act in India. My family is very upset. I am not able to give a
shot, as I am mentally tortured.I am getting calls from Pakistan and I will
make a file of this and meet Musharraf sahab (Pakistani President General
Pervez Musharraf) and discuss it with him.I don't understand -- why am I
being tortured? What wrong have I done?
The experience of coming to Bollywood is Great! India is a great place to
work in, and people here are very good. How do you compare it with your film
industry? People here are very bold and open-minded. We are not bold in our
films. The censors here are not that strict, compared to our censors.