Readers tell us if Anurag Kashyap is right in tweeting to PM Modi on Pakistani artists

Never before has Bollywood and indeed the vast film industries in India have been more divided over an issue that is as emotive as the ban on Pakistani actors in working in Indian films.

While actors like Ajay Devgn, Anupam Kher have supported the ban, citing nationalistic reasons, outspoken filmmaker joins actor Salman Khan is dubbing the ban outrageous.

Not only that, Kashyap has tweeted out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying if the PM didn't have to say sorry for his Lahore visit last year, when he did biriyani diplomacy with Pak PM Nawaz Sharif, why should filmmakers, actors and producers, who want to work with Pakistani actors and actresses, singers and scriptwriters, need to worry about sounding anti-national.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Raj Thackeray, had objected to having Pakiastan actors onboard in Bollywood films, when India-Pakistan relations have touched a classic low. With the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) having banned the Pak actors from working in Indian movies now, looks like Kashyap has few backers in the industry, except veterans like Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah, or producer-filmmakers like Karan Johar, whose Ai Dil Hil Mushkil is facing an uphill task in getting a mere release, since it features Fawad Khan.

The Hindu Right as expected is upset with Anurag Kashyap and has asked him to apologise, which the filmmaker has staunchly refused to do. Not only Ai Dil Hai Mushkil, even the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees, which hitherto featured Mahira Khan, is facing immense difficulty now, with unconfirmed reports of the Pakistan actress being replaced doing the rounds.

What does India think of Anurag Kashyap's stance? We opened up the debate to our readers. The response has been varied, to say the least.

Please read on.

DailyO readers weigh in:

Chandra Devi Chauhan: But who has banned the film? The single theatre-walas dont get the audience that ADHM is made for. Shivaay is a more single theater audience crowd. Karan Johar and his army of supporters cannot force people to watch ADHM. The movie will do great business in multiplexes.

Ami Banerjee: I want to ask where was this guy Anurag kashyap when our jawans lost their lives in Uri, Pathankot and other places? Does he have the guts to stand in front of the families of the martyrs?

Narayanan Santosh Kumar: Dear Anurag Kashyap, You have all right to support Mr Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil? But, not in cost of insulting our PM. I am not a BJP fan or Mr Modi, but I am really a aan of your artistic skills. You are one of the Bollywood Greats, it does not mean that you are bigger than India. You may thinking you are somekind of a universal citizen, and every person in every country equal to you. But, we Indians don't think it is right. We are humble and we will die for it. You have no right to talk about our PM. He traveled heavily across the word, and he has built a brand that called India. Everyone is looking to India; a day will come when India is the world's manufacturing hub. Do not forget that you are in India, and the freedom you got here is because of India. If you were in Pakistan or in Saudi Arabia, now your head will be somewhere else. Do not insult the work of PM, He is doing his duties very well. Whereas Pakistan backstabs. Anurag Kashyap, better to sleep well and think before talk.

Read the full thread here.

Also read: Why I stand with Anurag Kashyap on Pakistani actors' ban

Watch: Why haven't you said sorry for Pak visit: Anurag Kashyap asks PM Modi