Visa woes: Anupam Kher won't be attending the Karachi Literature Festival

Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher was one of the several celebrities speaking at the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) this weekend, but Indian media reports state that the actor has been denied a Pakistani visa.

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Kher said, "I am very sad and disappointed that out of 18 participants, 17 were given visa and I was denied."

He also expressed his disappointment on Twitter:

However, the Pakistan High Commission stated on Twitter that Kher never applied for a Pakistani visa:

Kher has Kher has previously been very outspoken in his criticism of Aamir Khan, who expressed concern that India might be becoming increasingly intolerant. But just this week, in what was perceived by many as a U-turn, Kher said he was scared to say he's a Hindu because people might label him as RSS or a BJP fanatic.

KLF is hosting several luminaries from India, including director/actor Nandita Das, transgender rights activist Laxmi Tripathi and Indian journalist Barkha Dutt.

While Nandita Das has received her visa and will be attending, Kher is off the agenda.

The festival begins on Friday, February 5.