Paresh Rawal: Our shows are boring, I'd love to act in Pakistani films, television

Paresh Rawal has openly expressed his desire to star in Pakistani movies and TV shows. Talking to an agency, he said, “Yes, I would love to work in Pakistani films and shows. I love all Pakistani TV serials like Humsafar, the way they act, the story, the writing, the language; it’s all good.”

In fact, he even spoke against India’s television shows. He said, “I feel our shows are boring.”

Rawal also stated that he doesn’t support the ban on Pakistani artists. “There should be no ban on anyone or anything. Even in Hindi Medium there was a Pakistani actress but nothing happened as the mood is good in the country,” he added.

But he does feel that one should refrain from working with artists across the border when the situation is tense. “I believe that artistes and cricketers don’t come and throw bombs. They are not terrorists, rather they bridge the gap between the two countries. But when the mood is not good why rake up issues at that time? It is better to stay with your country,” said Rawal.

Pakistani artists had faced wrath in India after the Uri attacks last year. There were demands for banning Pakistani actors by Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and parties like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). It was during this time that Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil faced protests and opposition for casting Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan.

Later on, the makers of Raees were also forced to keep Pakistani actress Mahira Khan out of film’s promotions.

But over the last few months, things seem to be cooling down. Pakistani actors are slowly returning to Hindi films. The latest example is Saba Qamar who starred opposite Irrfan Khan in Hindi Medium which released last month.

Rawal is the Member of Parliament (MP) from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The members from BJP have been divided in their stand on Pakistani artists after the Uri attacks. While their national spokesperson Shaina NC didn’t support the ban on Pakistani artists, MLA Sangeet Som went on record to say that artists from across the border should be “beaten with shoes.”