Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and filmmaker Sajid Khan have supported the ban on the Pakistani artistes if it helps in solving the issue of terrorism.

Sajid Khan said that as a citizen of the country one has to respect the nation first. While speaking to the reporters, the filmmaker said, “The truth is, we are at a state of war and we are proud Indians. We have to respect our nation first. Our nation comes first. So if Pakistani actors have to go back, they should go back. I am with my country, like any other Indian. That's all I have to say.”

Earlier the Indian Motion Pictures Producer’s Association (IMPAA) had banned the Pakistani artistes working in Bollywood till the the normalcy returns in the Indo-Pak relations.

Riteish Deshmukh, appreciating Indian Army’s response to the Uri Attacks, said that the whole nation should respond to attacks. The actor said, “Whenever it is about the country, it is India first. There is no compromise. After Uri attack, whatever response our Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took, I support and salute (them) for such a great response. This is what should happen. When someone does something, you have to respond sometimes in the right way and this was the correct way to respond.”

The actor said that if cutting the ties with the nation solves the issue of terrorism, he would support it. He said, “If tomorrow, whatever relationships are there, whether India-Pakistan cricket match, films or trade, if they decide unilaterally that more pressure can be put by cutting them off, to solve this issue, that some result can be attained, we will support. We are citizens, we will follow.”

By Prajakt K