In the wake of ongoing Indo-Pak tensions, many Indians have called for a ban on Pakistani actors in India. This was soon followed by a Pakistani ban on Bollywood films across cinemas nationwide.
After Waar actor Shaan Shahid, Bin Roye star Humayun Saeed has voiced his opinion regarding the issue. Humayun believes banning films or artists on either side isn’t a solution to the ongoing conflict between the two countries, BBC Urdu reported.
“Since we believe that India’s step to ban Pakistani artists is wrong, we shouldn’t follow their steps and reciprocate by banning their films as well,” the actor said.
Humayun added that even though the ban on Indian films will promote the local content, at this point this ban will have an adverse impact on cinemas in Pakistan.
“At this hour, Pakistani cinema needs Bollywood films because the Pakistani film industry isn’t strong enough to solely run cinemas. A cinema needs one new film each week. Our industry only makes a handful of films every year,” he said.
Humayun said Pakistani cinema had revived on the back of Indian content. “It was only after the screening of Indian films that cinemas started to sprout up in Pakistan. And, only then did we start making films again,” he said.
“We have all grown up on Bollywood films and have seen them through illegal means. Now, if the films are being screened in our cinemas legally, then what’s wrong with that,” The Jawani Phir Nai Aani actor added.