The most recent person to address the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil row is Naseeruddin Shah. It’s no news that the movie has been in hot waters, owing to the heightened India-Pakistan tensions. During a book launch in Mumbai, the actor was questioned about his opinion on the issue. He stressed on the fact that artistes are easy targets and that although he is no fan of Karan Johar, he will watch the movie because creativity should always be encouraged.
Here’s what he said:
Mujhe lagta hai industry bahut aasan target hai. Logo ko attack karne mein itna hi mazaa aata hai jitna filmein dekhne mein aati hai. Humne Pakistan se diplomatic relations nahi tode hai. Na hamari Pakistan se jung ho rahi hai. Sirf artistes ko target kiya jaa raha hai – jo ki basically aman aur mohabbat ka paigam leke aa rahe hai. Woh isiliye ke bahut aasan nishaana hai artistes. Mere khyaal se jo shoorveer unko maarne ki aur theatre jalaane ki dhamkiya de rahe hai, unko sarhad pe jaake dushmano ke camps jalaana chahiye. Iss film ko censor ne certificate diya hai, toh kyun nahi release honi chahiye? Ispe rukaavat kyun aana chahiye? Aur main, Karan ka koi fan nahi hoon par yeh film main zaroor dekhoonga, kyun ki mujhe lagta hai ki aise kisi bhi creative insaan ko support karna chahiye jo apna kaam dikhaana chahta hai. Haala ke, government ne bhi pura aashvaasan diya hai ke woh iss film ko release karne degi. Toh yeh Karan Johar ne jo gid gida ke maafi maangi hai, mere khyaal mein iski koi zarurat nahi thi.
This translates to:
The film industry is a very easy target. People enjoy attacking Bollywood as much as they enjoy watching the movies. We have not broken any diplomatic ties with Pakistan, neither are we waging war against Pakistan – only the artistes are getting targeted, who basically come with the message of love and peace. I think it’s basically because artistes are easy to target. The CBFC has given ADHM a certificate so why should it not release? I’m no fan of Karan Johar, but I will definitely watch this movie because I think a creative person who is keen on displaying his/her work, should be supported. Even the government has now allowed the film to release so I don’t think Karan should have apologized as helplessly as he did.
What are your thoughts?