WATCH | Film industry furiously protests Pulwama terror attack; Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina join in

The film industry vented out its anger against the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama that claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers, on Sunday. Cricketers like Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, were among the celebrities who joined the protest and expressed their feelings.

READ: 'The Country Is In Pain, We All Are Hurt': Film Associations To Hold Protest Against Pulwama Terror Attack; No Shooting At The Time Of The Event

According to reports, 24 film associations including Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) and others participated in the protest at Film City in Mumbai. 

Led by President of IFTDA, Ashoke Pandit, the workers are seen chanting ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ in the videos that have surfaced on social media. The filmmaker is also seen placing the wreath at the memorial ‘Amar Jawan’. 

“If the directives of the federation are not followed, we won’t allow the film’s shooting to take place. We appeal to all music companies that they don’t work with any Pakistani singer or musician. This is the voice of the federation members, who are in lakhs. Film industry is being run by us, the workers and the technicians. So, let’s take a pledge on the Amar Jawan that we won’t let any Pakistani work on Indian land, there’s no question on this,” Pandit is heard saying. 

Pandit also lashed at Congress politician Navjot Singh Sindhu for his comments absolving Pakistan of the attack and even called him a ‘snake.’ The former cricketer has been replaced on the ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. 

“On the demand of the federation, Pakistan lover Navjot Singh Sidhu was kicked out of his programme... Kick him out of the political party he belongs. Let him go to Pakistan or any other country he wants to go.”

READ: Amitabh Bachchan, Virendra Sehwag, And Others Halts Shooting In Protest Against The Pulwama Terror Attack

According to reports, several celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan didn’t shoot for his movie from 2pm to 4pm at the time of the protest. Similar was the case about a commercial featuring Virender Sehwag and other cricketers. Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh even joined the protest. 

“So many of our soldiers have died. Please support their families. And we should definitely take revenge. The ones who’ve been affected can understand how hard it is, I hope the Almighty gives them support and keeps them strong,” the left-handed batsman said. 

 

Harbhajan said, “I have always saluted the soldiers. It’s not a film actor or a cricketer who’s a hero, the true hero of the country is the soldier.”

Salim Merchant, singer and one half of the music composer duo Salim-Sulaiman, said, “We are mourning the lives of our jawans who have been martyred, we will pray for them and their families. But it’s not the time for prayers, we have to be united. We know what our Army, Navy and Air Force are going to do, we just have to ensure unity.”