Bollywood lashes out at Shiv Sena's ban on Pakistani artists

The Bollywood fraternity has come together to criticize the Shiv Sena for not allowing any Pakistani actor, cricketer or artist to enter Maharashtra. According to sources, filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt said that art and culture should be kept separate from politics, adding that it was the art and culture which bridged the gap. 

Bhatt said that an actress is casted based on her talent and not nationality, and appealed to the government to pass an order in advance if Shiv Sena wanted a ban on any Pakistani artist. Lyricist Swanand Kirkire said that banning anything was wrong, adding that politics and art should not be mixed. 

Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub said that putting a ban on something only showed weakness, adding that it was extremely sad that this was happening. Earlier, the Shiv Sena had targeted actors Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan who are promoting their respective films in Mumbai.