Pakistani actors/ celebs: their money needs and career inroads in India vs their National Arrogance

Pakistan and India are locked in a strange situation.

First, Pakistanis aren’t happy that Indian stars and models are endorsing products in ads that are beamed on their TV.  So, they want these ads banned.  This was suggested by the “Standing Committee for Information and Broadcasting o fthe National Assembly” (lower house of parliament) during a meeting attended by Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.

Another grudge the Pakistanis have is that Pakistan, as a “responsible country” is beaming Indian movies and TV programs; but India (by induction, an “irresponsible country”) isn’t doing the quid pro quo!  And they aren’t happy with the Indian Government for that.  Huh!!?

Can someone explain to these morons that if Indian Government really KNEW what worked with the Indian people, Arvind Kejriwal wouldn’t be giving them sleepless nights!  LOL.  The problem for Pakistani media is that Indians don’t really care for the Pakistani movies.  And, as much as I have known, even them Pakistanis don’t either!  So, why blame?

On the other hand, despite the great brouhaha in Pakistan over the “conduct of Pakistani actresses” (Veena Malik really) in India, more and more actresses are getting ready to jump across the border.

• Meesha Shafi Will feature in Mira Nair’s adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist 
• Veena Malik Mumbai 125 Kms and The City That Never Sleeps
• Mehreen Syed This Pakistani supermodel has been signed on for Lahore director Sanjay Puran Singh’s next
• Humaima Malik Debuted in 2011 with Bol. She has now signed Sher and is in talks for a Vidhu Vinod Chopra film
• Sarah Loren The actress formerly known as Mona Lizza will appear in Mukesh Bhatt’s Murder 3
• Meera The actress last worked in Mahesh Bhatt’s Nazar and is now set to return to Bollywood

Their singers are already doing a lot of songs in India.  Some like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are deserving musically – although their character is certainly suspect (he was caught at Delhi airport with $124k of undeclared cash!)- but singers like Atif Aslam certainly aren’t even musically good!  And this isn’t going well with the budding Indian singers who are good!  Take a look at this appeal from Raja Hasan, which in all certainty is about Atif Aslam.

And, in a way he is right as well. Sometimes, it feels that the Pakistani actors and celebs come to Indian shows and India, trying to get work, but go back to just bring the people in India down. Here is the example of a renowned Pakistani comedian, Umer Sharif whose work has always been well received in India. Not just that, even he was well received by everyone in India. But his “take” on things for his audience in his country is utterly despicable. Worse is that he is saying it for someone who is indeed an institution of acting. And as an actor, anyone will be a bit humble while talking about Amitabh Bachchan.

And this is the speech in Zee Cine Awards that he is talking about in his bravado-filled interaction on Pakistan TV.