Indian film association bans Pakistani talent from working in India

In a latest development on the cultural front of Pak-India tensions, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has “banned” Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from working in India till “normalcy” returns, ANI reported.

This resolution was passed during the annual general meeting of the association this evening, reports The Quint.

"We’ve passed this decision in the AGM today on the demand of all the producers. Henceforth, till the situation is ok between the Pakistani and Indian governments, we will not hire any Pakistani artist, technician or singer. [...] We will maintain this till the relations between Pakistan and India are ok. The AGM at IMPPA House in Mumbai was attended by more than 200 film producers," said TP Aggarwal, President of IMPPA.

The association's resolution comes in the wake of the 48-hour deadline to leave India given by nationalist party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which threatened consequences if Fawad and other Pakistani artistes in India did not comply. While no prominent Pakistani artiste is in India at the moment, upcoming concerts of Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam have been cancelled.

However, the association has made an exception for Pakistani artistes already engaged in upcoming projects:

"If there’s any ongoing project from which [Pakistani artistes] cannot be removed now, on which everything has been done, they can come for that," Aggarwal also said.

This puts in the clear films like Fawad Khan-starrer Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Mahira Khan-starrer Raees. Both films' producers were being pressurised by the MNS to remove the scenes featuring the Pakistani actors.

IMPPA, however, is insistent that no further talent from Pakistan is hired until normalcy returns.

"IMPPA in its AGM paid homage to the martyrs who were killed in Uri. It therefore felt its responsibility towards the nation and passed a resolution banning Pakistani actors & technicians in India till normalcy returns. For IMPPA nation comes first, " said Ashoke Pandit, Vice President of IMPPA.

The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association, popularly know as IMPPA, is the first and the only internationally recognised association of the Indian film production sector. It is the original mother organisation and all other associations which exist now are the offshoots of IMPPA, according to its website.