Sanam Saeed recently discussed Bollywood’s practice of categorising Muslims and emphasising them “as the enemy” in films in an interview with Brut India. ‘Muslims are always portrayed as the enemy in Indian films‘, says Sanam Saeed.
She said so as fans quickly criticised the false representation of Muslims in Indian cinema after the first official trailer for Sidharth Malhotra’s upcoming film, Mission Majnu, was released.
“Of course, we always make fun of how Muslims are portrayed in Indian films with the Kajal and namaz cap, and the green in the back somewhere. This is how we are shown that this is a Muslim person or it’s a Muslim community. And this gets too political but they have always been highlighted as the enemy,” says Sanam Saeed.
She then opined that in real life the relationships between Pakistani and Indian artists are quite wholesome. “I don’t think I’ve seen many projects where the two nations are friends and collaborating together, unlike in reality where collaborations are happening at every level.”
In the three-minute clip, Saeed revealed she was disappointed when the Uri attack of 2016 resulted in Pakistani artists being banned from India. “We were baffled, I think at the time it was a shock. When the cross-border exchange was happening it was exciting and about time, and it felt really exhilarating, liberating and finally complete that these two hubs of culture and creativity and art were collaborating for greater stuff. And when the ban happened suddenly it was a bit of a rude awakening,” stated the Zindagi Gulzar Hai actor.
Saeed then went on to highlight how artists from both nations are still trying to collaborate despite the challenges. “Why mix art with culture and politics? It’s tragic but I think we all have now gotten over this. It is what it is. You can’t fight it. You can’t really do anything about it except for stuff like this interview. Despite the ban, I think we all are still trying to make our way and work around it.”
Upon being asked about Mahira Khan’s hesitation to star again in Indian films, Saeed emphasised how difficult the ban in India was for The Legend of Maula Jatt stars. She said, “At the time of the ban, Fawad and Mahira got the brunt of it, so I’m sure they are nervous and scared because of how they were treated. I completely understand why Mahira would be nervous as it was a tough exit for them.”
Here’s the link to the video:
