For Pakistani top actress Meera, however, controversies like those kicked off by the scene in ‘Nazar', the first Indo-Pak joint production venture in 50 years, was but "a small price to pay" in her endeavour to promote the bugger cause of 'Indo-Pak friendship' that the film seeks to promote.
''More important than the controversy is the goal of furthering friendly relations between India and Pakistan which joint film production ventures like ‘Nazar' seek to achieve. For me, people of India and Pakistan are the same and if I can, in a small way, help in fostering better relations between the people of the two countries, I will consider myself privileged. For this, I am ready to face any number of controversies or threats,'' Meera told in an interview.
Meera's strong advocacy of greater friendship between the two countries also stems from her fond memories of the Indian hospitality that she experienced during her visits to India during the making of ‘Nazar'.
"When I left for India, my mother was slightly worried about me as unlike in Pakistan where she would always be with me, in India I would be largely on my own. Initially, I also was a bit apprehensive about what to expect in India. But the love and affection that I received in India was ‘way beyond my dreams'.
Now, I want to come back to India again and again.
"Infact, whenever I leave India for Pakistan, my eyes are wet from the sweet memories of the Indian love and hospitality. It is thanks to the love bestowed on me by the Indian public that I am here today, as part of ‘Nazar', the first Indo-Pak joint film production venture which is scheduled for release on May 20,'' Meera said.
"In this sense, Nazar is our tribute to the cause of friendship between India and Pakistan,"she said.Being part of a historic project like ‘Nazar', the first Indo-Pak Joint film production venture in 50 years, Meera said she was aware from the start that problems as well as protests are bound to crop up from several quarters in the case of a pioneering venture like ‘Nazar'. So, I was ready for them''.
Still, Meera says, the protest over the alleged kissing scene in ‘Nazar' was "nothing but a storm in a tea cup" and uncalled for.
"It is sad that so much controversy was generated over such a small issue. In any case, since nobody has seen the film, it is wrong to assume that it has a kissing scene. In this regard, I would like to assure people that the film is a clean entertainer with no vulgar scenes. Infact, one can see the film with one's family," Meera said.
