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Mehwish Hayat slams Bollywood for vilifying Muslims instead of promoting peace

Mehwish Hayat slams Bollywood for vilifying Muslims instead of promoting peace

"They really need to decide which is more important - nationalistic fervour or a peaceful future," said the actor
Updated 13 Aug, 2019

Don't know who those naysayers were who said Mehwish Hayat didn't deserve her Tamgha-e-Imtiaz; she deserves all that and more for using her platform to raise her voice against injustice.

Recently awarded the Pride of Performance award by Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg in Oslo, the actor's speech started doing the rounds on social media soon after.

"We in the film industry, carry a tremendous responsibility. Cinema is a very powerful tool and it has the ability to change people's minds, behaviours and attitudes.

I sincerely believe that Hollywood films and programmes, vilifying my country and portraying us as backward terrorists, has had a profound effect on the psyche of the west. It has greatly influenced what people think of Pakistan," she said.

She named a few shows and movies that perpetuated harmful stereotypes such as Homeland, Zero Dark Thirty and The Brink.

"They have built an image of my country that I certainly don't recognise...These films, combined with others have fuelled the rise of Islamophobia," she added.

Hayat went on to call out Bollywood for doing the same.

"Our neighbours have one of the largest film industries in the world and in a time where they could've used the power they yield to bring us together, what do they do? They make countless films showing Pakistanis as villains.

I understand given our history, upbringing and politics of the region, it can be difficult to remain neutral and in being so, can be seen as unpatriotic... They really need to decide which is more important - nationalistic fervour or a peaceful future."

The Load Wedding star added that Bollywood must acknowledge the damage they've inflicted: "I'm not even asking for more posiitve representation but can it just be more balanced? There's more to us than gun-weilding terrorists and subjugated women. Come on, that's so cliched, let's move on from that."

Mehwish further made an excellent point about how our own film industry should start making films about Pakistan as opposed to just for Pakistan, to show international audiences what we're all about.

Read: A Pakistani woman called out Priyanka Chopra for being a warmonger

So savage and articulate without being patronising. Priyanka, this is how you really promote peace and acceptance, please take notes.

Comments

Omer maqsood Aug 13, 2019 01:01pm
I was really proud to hear her speech. She was eloquent and clear in what she wanted to say. Nice to see a true patriotiot.
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Mani Aug 13, 2019 01:13pm
Well said Mehwish. We should focus on the philosophy of love in our filmmaking. Let them spread hate but in the end when there's sanity, love always win.
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Furqan Shaikh Aug 13, 2019 01:19pm
I am impressed.
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Parvez Aug 13, 2019 01:20pm
Well done Mehwish Hayat.
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TAHIR M Aug 13, 2019 01:34pm
Well said. Spoke the minds and hearts of billions.
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Omar Aug 13, 2019 01:39pm
Bravo Mehwish, proud of you :-)
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MA Aug 13, 2019 03:06pm
Bravo. Well done.
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Zara Aug 13, 2019 03:55pm
More power to you Mehwish! Well done! You obviously deserved the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
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bhaRAT© Aug 13, 2019 04:27pm
Beautiful person, beautiful thoughts.
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Jamil Soomro, New York City Aug 13, 2019 04:37pm
After hearing her speech with such confidence and determination representing Pakistan. In my opinion a bright political future is waiting for her in Pakistan. She is both beautiful and intelligent.
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Kam Raman Aug 13, 2019 04:56pm
Beauty, brain and brave. Well done Ms. Hayat I am your fan because you used your fame to counter negativity in Bollywood
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Omar Aug 13, 2019 05:08pm
Well said! Thank you!
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Sharad Aug 13, 2019 05:54pm
Being an Indian I really love Mehwish and Saba!! Greatest artists!! Love- S
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Sane One Aug 13, 2019 06:58pm
Very nice Mehwish! That's how you represent your country.
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WOW Aug 13, 2019 07:29pm
Very well-spoken. Peaceful future is what everyone should promote.
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Bilal Sarfraz Aug 13, 2019 08:17pm
Greatly impressed by her vision. More power to you. Well done!!!
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SalTheReader Aug 13, 2019 08:20pm
Well done, Mehwish! This is how you make the country and its supporters proud!
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voltore Aug 13, 2019 08:51pm
Good work!!
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Suhail Aug 13, 2019 09:02pm
Salute and respect to this star! I agree with this: "Mehwish further made an excellent point about how our own film industry should start making films about Pakistan as opposed to just for Pakistan".
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majid Aug 13, 2019 11:06pm
Well Done, Hayat. Show hypocrites their real face.
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Raheel Aug 14, 2019 02:33am
Great example of patriotism from beautiful lady
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Sunny Aug 14, 2019 02:45am
balanced view, very good.
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Salman Aug 14, 2019 06:30am
Well said. Proud of Mehwish , a pride for PK.
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Jawad Asif Aug 14, 2019 08:08am
Brilliant!!
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A pakistani Aug 14, 2019 10:38am
And this is why she's my favorite Pakistani actress.
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Khalil Aug 14, 2019 04:02pm
Wow! impressive speach by the young lady
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sixes Aug 15, 2019 09:50am
Mehwish Hayat is a woman of high caliber. She has been discovered as a person of having patriotism, love and great respect for our country - Pakistan.
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Shaan Aug 17, 2019 02:29am
Vow vow vow !!! What a beautifully delivered message. So proud of you Mehwish ! Shaan, Southern California
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Shrikant Aug 17, 2019 07:44am
Mehwish is my favorite actress. Well Done Mehwish !!
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