Mumbai Police gives safety assurance to Pakistani artists in India

Pakistani celebrities in India recently faced backlash due to the ongoing tensions between the two countries due to the Uri attack.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to all Pakistani cine and television artistes in Mumbai to quit India or face consequences. However, the police immediately responded saying that the artists have nothing to worry about as long as they have valid documents, they will be provided with security.

"We will provide adequate protection as and when required," Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Deven Bharti said following the MNS threat.

However, MNS Vice-President Shalini Thackeray remained unfazed by the police statement and instead went on to say, "This is not a veiled threat. This is a direct challenge to producers like Karan Johar who promote Pakistani artistes. We are writing to all production houses, asking them not to give work to Pakistani artistes."

The  MNS activists said that they would go and stop the shooting of films or tele-serials with Pakistani actors after the deadline.

Vageesh Saraswat, another party Vice-President, said that similar warnings have been issued in the past and have been followed by action.

"Now, we have given them a specific deadline. Their countdown has begun. If they don't pack up and leave in 48 hours, we shall chase them away," Mr Saraswat declared.

This is not the first time something like this is happening against the Pakistani actors working in India. MNS and Shiv Sena have always presented an aggressive stance against the Pakistani artists.

However, the Mumbai Police has given assurance over the security of the artists. 

Actors Fawad Khan will be seen in the upcoming film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" while Mahira Khan will be seen making her Bollywood debut "Raees" opposite Shah Rukh Khan, both films are expected to release in the upcoming months.