Bollywood celebrities have come out in support of the Pakistani artists who are being targeted by the Shiv Sena, asserting that art and creativity shouldn't be stifled. Many Bollywood celebrities who were present at the premiere of the stage musical ‘The Beauty and The Beast’, said that arts and culture should be kept away from politics.

Film director Anurag Basu said: "We don't know the kind of agenda or reason or pattern behind it. There were some films which were released, so where were they at that time? They'll fall silent again after a year, there is no consistency."

"This has nothing to do with art and artists. Bollywood has never got affected with this till now and never will. The ethos of India and Bollywood is very strong, which nobody can shatter. And this binds together the whole country. When we go to watch a film in the theatre, you don't think if the person sitting beside you is a Hindu or a Pakistani."

Bajrangi Bhaijaan film director Kabir Khan said: "I feel that arts and culture should be kept away from politics. Politics is at its place and culture exchange is in its place and above politics. There are numerous actors, singers and performers from Pakistan in our industry. They are a crucial component and they should be allowed to continue being a part of it."

Actor Emraan Hashmi said: "There should not be any bounds on creativity. We see numerous international stars performing and there shouldn't be any bounds to that. Creativity shouldn't be stifled, everyone should be there to express."

Actress Soha Ali Khan said: "As an artist, as a citizen of the country, I consider it wrong. It's not what India stands for and that's not what films and art stand for. So, along with all the authors who're giving back their awards, so that's what we need to do."

Lyricist-singer Swanand Kirkire said: "Shiv Sena is party with a certain viewpoint and I don't agree to it. Art is the only medium through which we know about the culture of other places. People grow more when there is a cultural exchange. It's just what a party is saying, not what the country says. If it was what the country said, then these artists wouldn't have been called here. People want to listen to Ghulam Ali."

Actress Nimrat Kaur said: "It's a free world and the pleasure of being an artist is that you can perform anywhere and reach out to people anywhere. I come from a democratic bent and I don't endorse any sort of inhibition on the artist being able to perform anywhere. So it is very sad to hear this in any part of the world."

Director Omung Kumar: "It's not correct and I think it'll die down, but this shouldn't happen. Films could be affected and will get affected, but hopefully people are working it out and I think it wouldn't be for a long time."

By Premji