The debacle surrounding Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut still causes heartaches.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama at this year's Masala Awards, Mahira Khan spoke about Raees and the ban imposed on her in India last year during the promotions of her film.
"Whether
it was Shah Rukh Khan or Rahul or Ritesh Batra or Farhan Akhtar, they
all have been so amazing. At the end of the day; it’s about films, which
is bigger than all of us combined. The film needed to be released. The
film had to do well. They were all amazing. They still are.”
Raees director Rahul Dholakia came across the video and retweeted, gushing about the Pakistani actor:
"So
sweet ! Somewhere I feel We have wronged her. our people forgot that
she is an artist, not the enemy ! we took away her right as an actor !
Unfair. Mahira Khan you are wonderful and thank you for being a part of Raees."
The director's heartfelt message comes a year after
Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut misfortune. The actor was faced with
unfortunate events when Raees was due for release; one was the ban imposed on her and Pakistani artists in India by the Indian Film Association, second was the ban of her film in Pakistan,
as sources cited "the content undermines Islam, and a specific
religious sect, [while also] portraying Muslims as criminals, wanted
persons and terrorists."
