Vidya Balan says no better way to bring people closer than arts, but post Pulwama attack, tough calls have to be taken

Vidya Balan was at the launch of her debut radio show Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho, when she was asked about the move to ban Pakistani artistes after the attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama, Kashmir. Here’s what she said.

With the Hindi film industry condemning the Pulwama terror attack and not releasing films in Pakistan besides banning all Pakistani artistes from working in India, National award-winning actor Vidya Balan on Friday said a strong stand needs to be taken this time.

Vidya Balan walked the ramp for designer Anavila Misra at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2019 in February this year. (IANS)

“Though I have always believed that art should be kept away from all boundaries and politics, I think we have to take a stand now. Enough is enough,” Vidya told the media at the launch of her debut radio show Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho.

In the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989, a suicide bomber on February 14 rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 40 troopers. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Filmmaker Siddharth Roy Kapur and actor Vidya Balan snapped at the wedding ceremony of Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal in Mumbai on December 12, 2018.

A host of Bollywood actors including Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn and Vicky Kaushal, among others, have condemned the Pulwama attack.

The film Total Dhamaal directed by Indra Kumar too did not release in Pakistan for the same reason.

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