Category: Entertainment

After the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) banned Mika Singh from working in India for performing in Pakistan, singer Mika Singh has apologised to the association and his fans and said that he will never work in Pakistan again.

Mika shared the update on Twitter and also held a press conference in which he apologised and said that he will not perform in Pakistan again. Other members of the FWICE were also present with Mika during the press conference.

Mika explained that he had done the concert because it was a prior commitment. However, he admitted it was a mistake that he would never repeat.

“This was a commitment signed long back. The timing was wrong that I went there because the decision on Article 370 has just been taken. I called the federation and told them that this was a mistake. I apologise for the mistake and I won’t repeat it again. I got a visa, so I went (to Pakistan). If you get a visa, you will go, too,” said the singer.

When the media asked Mika why he even went to Pakistan in first place after the Pulwama attack, Mika started a heated argument.

“Do you know that Neha Kakkar and Atif Aslam performed here only two months ago? Do you know that Sonu Nigam also performed together with Atif four months ago? Why did no one say anything then?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, members of the FWICE said that they agreed to lift the ban after Mika explained his actions and regretted performing.

“We were in shock that Mika performed in Pakistan and at a time when India is bleeding due to Pakistan. Such an approach on part of Indian artists is not acceptable. However, we are now taking back the circular to ban Mika Singh,” they said.

They added that FWICE stood firm on its decision of banning Pakistani artistes from working in Bollywood and that they would ban anyone who works with a Pakistani artist anywhere in the world.

Not the best of days for Bollywood.

After Priyanka Chopra, actor Sonam Kapoor has landed in the line of fire for her comments on Kashmir, Pakistan and patriotism.

After India revoked Article 370 which granted special status to Indian occupied Kashmir, tensions between the two neighbouring countries have reached an all-time high.

In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Sonam had said, “It’s heartbreaking to see where the situation has landed right now but I’m very patriotic. So I think for me now it’s better to keep quiet and let this pass because even this too should pass. Our countries were one country like 70 years ago and the fact that there is so much divisive politics at play is really heartbreaking.”

Sonam continued that she is very upset about the ban on Bollywood in Pakistan because “as an artist, you want to be represented everywhere and you want your work to be shown everywhere,” adding that she was heartbroken when her film Neerja wasn’t allowed to be screened in Pakistan.

Speaking about Kashmir, Sonam said, “I think it’s very complicated and I don’t understand it as much because there is so much contrasting news everywhere so I don’t really know what the truth is.”

“I believe in having a peaceful discourse and understanding what’s going on. So when I have the complete information is when I think I can give an opinion.”

Sonam’s comments irked people on both sides of the border. While Pakistanis called her out for not seeing beyond her nationalism, Indians called her a traitor for wanting her films to be screened in Pakistan and talking about her Pakistani roots.

“I am half Sindhi and half Peshawari. It’s heartbreaking to see that part of my culture is something that I can’t explore as well because of that,” Sonam had said.

As the situation continued to boil, Sonam took to Twitter and asked everyone to calm down and “get a life.”

Regardless, the trolling on Sonam’s status continued.

Even Shaan couldn’t resist passing a comment.