Pakistan might restrict actors from appearing in Indian movies after Pakistani superstar Meera's "vulgar"
scenes in her film 'Nazar'.
The actress is currently in India shooting for the film, directed by Soni Razdan and written by Mahesh
Bhatt. It is her first appearance in a Bollywood film.
Official sources here said the film's "objectionable scenes" showing Meera kissing an Indian actor co-star
Ashmit Patel had prompted the Pakistan government and the culture ministry to impose a heavy fine on
the popular actress.
Hardliners from accross the border are in forgiving mood either. They have told
Meera that a fatwa had been issued against her and she would be killed if she returned home.
On the hand, visibly angry Meera caterwauls: "It's my body and I should have freedom to decide what I
want to do with it. As long as I am not doing anything illegal or immoral, no one has the right to dictate
terms to me. I want to make history by working in Nazar because never before has cinema in the two
countries come together in such a big way.
"I know the people who are making abusive calls to me from Pakistan. My rivals who are not happy with
my success have instigated them. These are the kind of people who want to sabotage the peace process
between the two countries. I have now made up my mind not to pay any attention to such calls, although I
am still being threatened almost everyday."
But the insiders claim that Pakistani lass had urged Razdan to reshoot certain portions of the film but the
director humbly refused to oblige.
According to Mahesh Bhatt: "When Meera came to us saying that she wanted a few shots removed, I
advised her not to give in to such demands. In Mumbai it has been our experience that threats, no matter
who makes them, are best made public. If you are secretive about them, hoping they will go away, things
only get worse. So I asked Meera to go public."
The sources said people had reacted strongly to some of these scenes as they were against Islamic
ethics and moral values.
The government has directed the culture ministry to take severe action against Meera as Pakistani actors
visiting other nations were seen as ambassadors of the country.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005 14:53 IST