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Arjun Kapoor believes the only rivalry Pakistan and India have is cricket

Arjun Kapoor believes the only rivalry Pakistan and India have is cricket

He hopes the friendship is kept alive and that entertainment continues to transcend borders.
22 May, 2021

For Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor, entertainment crosses borders and connects people, even when they're in warring states.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama for his latest film Sardar Ka Grandson, Kapoor discussed Pakistan's relationship with India and the emotions he believes his movie will stir with audiences who are nostalgic for the past.

"The majority has been overall supportive," he said of the people of Pakistan, adding that there has always been euphoria for Bollywood films and love coupled with unconditional support from the people of Pakistan. "I refuse to believe that entertainment has not crossed borders and not connected people at times when it was not really possible due to the political environment and bureaucracy.”

He said that today, emotions have resonated and people are coming together despite political tensions, focusing on what is, rather than what was — something he has immense respect for. He hopes that this will stay the same.

“That is where humanity has to grow and mature and evolve, and you should not forget that in the time of need there was a helping hand and that should be respected in the bigger picture," he said, speaking about how Pakistan sent aid to India during the Covid-19 crisis.

He joked that the only time people of the two countries are at odds is during cricket matches. "Except for cricket, we have friendship and I just hope that friendship is kept alive and maintained,” he added, hoping that the "distance and vacuum that has been created goes away and we can co-exist with peace."

Kapoor also spoke about how the content of his film became much more relevant from the time they first began shooting it.

"The film has become far more relevant in understanding the value of family, of people, and disregarding boundaries and borders and trying to come together and be there for human beings for one another," the Ki and Ka actor said, claiming that he had no idea what the world would be like when they had initially began shooting. "But across the border there is a certain kind of love that is coming our way."

Speaking about his character, Kapoor said he was someone who "wore his heart on his sleeve," adding that the story was emotional and something his gut motivated him to pick it. "It was different to play such a high octane character emotionally who is vulnerable and boisterous at the same time, but I have to give credit to my writing and directing team for that."

His costar Rakul Preet Singh added that it was her grandfather's wish to visit Pakistan, where he had migrated from, and that it would have been amazing to have had shot the film in Lahore. "I've always wanted to see that part of the world," she said.

Comments

Ahmad May 22, 2021 12:35pm
He is absolutely right. No matter how hard the haters try Indians and Pakistanis belong to same family.
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Aijaz Gul May 22, 2021 01:03pm
Mutual respect matters and this could lead trust. Pakstan and Inda are the only two countries where Urdu/Punjabi are spoken and well understood by masses. So why not start from exchanging Urdu and Punjabi films films.
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Zak May 22, 2021 01:51pm
"I refuse to believe that entertainment has not crossed borders and not connected people at times when it was not really possible due to the political environment and bureaucracy.” Someone update his software. Now Pakistanis are in love with Turkish dramas as it's closer to their culture and history, besides oppression in IIOJK by India is unforgivable by us.
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Zak May 22, 2021 01:57pm
Don't worry about us, worry about yourself.
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Anonymouseee May 22, 2021 02:26pm
He should be careful in expressing his opinions and say anything nice about Pakistan. Else, modi, bjp and their bhakts will be all over him with accusations and make life a living hell.
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Memon Abdul May 22, 2021 02:54pm
Agreed, up until recently only entertainment available to Pakistan was from India...when they go on to impose restrictions on Indian entertainment industry it is very hypocritical - look at the media we have today, they are already integrating elements of Indian media, "sayibg jeeti-raho" "foot touching" "fortunate time-forecasting for marriage" "tapori-ism" "sas-bahu" and others. Anyways we should not forget that we all lived together even less than a century ago, populated and thrived to support Mughal empire a few centuries back, only the present has seeming, conveniently made us realise that the two nations comprise of different peoples...but effectively have the potential to celebrate each other... In essence the same people, now geographically divided...
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Khursheed Yasin May 22, 2021 02:54pm
Such a positive minded person, wish there were more of his kind.
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Ahmed khan lehri May 22, 2021 03:19pm
Take care Mr Arjun. Very soon you will be beaten by BJP and RSS supporters.
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Ahmed khan lehri May 22, 2021 03:20pm
Your life will be hell in India now. Advance RIP
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ST May 22, 2021 04:47pm
One of the rivalry..He should say
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Ateeq Khan May 22, 2021 05:06pm
His grandparents were from Peshawar so it runs in the family
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Rehan May 22, 2021 05:26pm
@Memon Abdul yes brother it is not just geographical divide but more of ideological, religious and cultural divide. To clean our society from Hinduism and establish state on religious grounds.
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Rehan May 22, 2021 05:28pm
@Aijaz Gul dear sweat brother dont compromise stand on kashmir. Solve the issue first and then watch movies and do trade.
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Zulfiqar May 22, 2021 07:30pm
He is a young man with a big heart. It seems he’s courageous enough to not care about consequences and say what he feels is right. We need more such people.
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