Mukesh Ambani supports Pak artistes ban, says 'Am Indian First'

​MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, has said that he supports the call for a ban on Pakistani artistes in India, sharing, "I am absolutely clear about one thing - that for me it is always country first. I am not an intellectual so I don't understand all these... But undoubtedly like for all Indians, India is first for me."

Bollywood has been divided over whether to refuse work to Pakistani actors at a time when tension between Delhi and Islamabad has peaked to its very highest in over a decade.

On Monday, a group of cinema-owners said they would not screen any films featuring Pakistani artists. Because their ban applies to single screen cinemas in four states, trade analysts say there will be no large effect on Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which releases on October 28 and features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Producers of the film met with senior officers of the Mumbai police this morning and were assured of adequate security at cinemas that will screen the film in the city. Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has hinted at violent protests at theatres that will show the movie.

Yesterday, organisers of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival dropped a Pakistani drama from its programme. The festival is sponsored in part by Mr Ambani's new telecom enterprise, Reliance Jio. The Reliance Industries Chairman is a known film buff.

After Pakistani terrorists attacked an army base in Uri in Kashmir last month, killing 19 soldiers, the army crossed the Line of Control for raids on terrorist gathering areas.
Pakistan has said the cross-border action did not take place, accusing India of trying to pass off cross-border firing as surgical strikes.

The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association, which represents a number of Hindi film industry employees, has passed a motion banning Pakistani artistes until relations between Delhi and Islamabad improve.