/> Art and politics have always made strange bed fellows. Most artistes live in a world of their own. Isolated from the brutal reality of war stress and strife they create images that derive their strength from the isolated imagination rather than the crowded real world.

And yet in recent times the relationship between cinema and politics has become so intertwined that filmmakers find it hard to sustain let alone rationalize their isolation. We saw an upsurge of indignation in the film industry after 26/11.

And now with Indian students in Australia being attacked filmmakers seem to be ready to hit Australia where it hurts the most. Their foreign exchange. If our boys can't be safe in Austrlia, Bollywood refuses to shoot Down Under.

Sajid Khan: "I feel an entire nation can't be tarred because of a handful of extremists. We'll only make these elements stronger by being scared.At the same time we want to see Australia take action against these hate attacks. Until then I won't shoot in Australia to show my solidarity with Indians who are attacked anywhere in the world.

Rensil d'Silva: "Shoot In Australia? Not at all.

Anees Bazmi: Being a true Indian and a humanbeing I condemn these acts of violence. My conscience won't permit me to shoot in Australia.

Anubhav Sinha: "I feel racism is a very personal prerogative today. It is not a governmental policy. It has its nuisance value. While traveling abroad I do encounter racial bias every now and then. I shot in Australia some years back and faced some smirking hurdles. I never returned.

Sajid Nadiadwala: "No I won't shoot in Australia. And why only Australia? I won't have any relations with any country that disrespects Indians.

Ken Ghosh: "Nope I definitely won't shoot in Australia. These attacks are very surprising. I always found them to be very friendly.

Subhash Ghai: "Certainly not until Australia gives full respect and protection to Indian students."

Sujoy Ghosh: "Yup I'd shoot. And maybe carry a couple of hockey sticks to beat the crap out of those racist assh..les"

Siddharth Anand: "My entire film Salaam Namaste and Tara Rum Pum Pum were shot in Australia. I strongly condemn what's happening there. As of now I'd still like to believe Australia is a very friendly nation. The people there have been very warm and hospitable during both my films shot in their country. But something drastic has to be done to stop these attacks. Until then I'd definitely be in two minds about shooting in Australia.

Pritish Nandy: "Yes I'd shoot in Australia. Just as I would shoot in Goa despite the murder of Scarlett Keeling and other foreign tourists. We shoot in locations that suit the script. We can't take patriotism to such absurd lemgths.

Kunal Kohli: "Mr Bachchan's refusal to accept the doctorate should be starting point for us all to take similar action. I definitely would NOT shoot in Australia till the attacks are stopped and definite laws are implemented to prevent such attacks.

Satish Kaushik: "Shoot In Australia? Not at all.Why should we celebrate the beauty of a country when the heart of certain people in that country is not beautiful? They should learn from us. Atithi devo bhava.

Kabir Khan: "It's very important to make a distinction between prejudices practiced by a government and racist attacks by some disgruntled lunatics.However to show our disapproval of the attacks it'd better not to shoot in Australia at the moment.

Suneel Darshan: "I'd love to shoot in Australia. Has strife kept us out of Kashmir? These disturbances are detrimental to both cultural and business relations

Jagmohan Mundhra: "Eventhough I think most Australians are not racists the frequency of attacks on Indian students is a matter of concern. As a mark of protest I won't shoot in Australia until the government takes a firm stand against racial violence and sets an example by giving severe punishments to the perpetrators of these attacks."

Tarun Masukhani: "No. considering the inaction by the Australian government against racial abuse I wouldn't shoot in Australia. I don't think we should consider any joint venture with Australia until we get the same protection provided to their citizens. Indian students in Australia are a source of revenue for the Australian government. In exchange the least we expect them to do is safeguard our lives.

Soham Shah: "Anything that goes against the dignity of our countrymen is a collective insult to all Indians. We must not shoot in a country where we are discriminated against."

Vipul Shah: "Shoot in Australia? Not at all. I'm shocked by their hatred. That their so-called progressive culture can be so bigoted is unbelievable. Australia must know we are united in fighting those who attack one of us. We'll make them change their attitude."

Zoya Akhtar: : "I won't visit Australia till the government takes drastic steps to stop the violence."

Vikram Bhatt: "No chance. I'm deeply angered. In fact I was planning a film in Australia No more."

Madhu Mantena: "I've been encouraging friends abroad to shoot in Mumbai after 26/11. By the same yardstick we can't give up Australia because of a few demented individuals."

Abbas-Mustan: "It would be a risk for the entire starcast to shoot in Australia given the present circumstances.

Abhishek Kapoor: "Given the present circumstances, no I wouldn't shoot in Australia.

Priyadarshan: "No I wouldn't shoot in Australia even if my script required."

Imtiaz Ali: "I do not know the specifics yet. Will learn an respond"

Sanjay Leela Bhansali: "What is happening to our children in Australia is unforgivable and goes beyond the interests of art and culture. However if you ask me I wouldn't want to shoot in Australia until they sort this matter out.And why go to hostile country when our country is so beautiful?"

John Mathew: "No I wouldn't shoot in Australia"

Boney Kapoor: "Are you kidding? No way will I shoot in Australia."

Madhur Bhandarkar: "First ensure the safety of our boys then we'll see about shooting in Australia. What guarantee is there for anyone's life in a country where a handful of people are terrorizing.

Aparna Sen: "No I wouldn't shoot in Australia. What's happening there is deplorable.

Abbas Tyrewala: "Shoot in Australia? Yes, preferably with a Smith & Wesson.