Filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday broke his silence over the controversy around his film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” and released a video statement in which he said that “he will not engage with talent from Pakistan.”
Through a video message, he stated that he puts his country before everything and saluted the Indian army. Karan went on to say that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was shot last year when relations between Pakistan and India were relatively peaceful and suggested that he wouldn’t work with Pakistani talent anymore because of the rising tension.
“When I shot my film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in September to December last year the climate was completely different. The circumstances were completely different. There were efforts made by our government for the peaceful relationship with our neighbouring country and I respected those endeavours and efforts then and I respect the sentiments today. I understand the sentiment because I feel the same.”
He added, “Going forward I would like to say that of course, I will not engage with talent from the neighbouring country given the circumstance. But with that same energy I beseech you to know one thing. That over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears into my film ADHM and I don’t think it is fair to them to face any kind of turbulence out of another fellow Indians.”
“There is been some talk about why I have remained silent for the past two weeks. Today, I will clarify that the reason why I have remained silent is because of they deep sense of hurt and a deep sense of pain I felt that a few people would actually believe that I am anti-national and I need to say this and I say it with strength,” he shared.
Karan also stated that his fellow Indians are also under the fire and they shouldn’t be punished because of what terrorists have done.
“For me, my country comes first and nothing else matters to me but my country. I have always felt that the best way to express your patriotism is by spreading love and that is all I have ever tried to do through my work and through my cinema.”
The Ae dil director concluded saying, “I respect the Indian army and salute our army for everything they do to protect us and our environment. I respect them with all my heart and I say any form of terrorism any form specially the terrorism that would affect my people, my country and me. I just hope all of you understand the circumstance and situation we are in and respect the fact that we love and respect our country over and above anything else.”
