<p>Bollywood lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar slammed Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi after the latter raked up a controversy with his ‘Indian-occupied-Kashmir’ comment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An angry Akhtar took to Twitter to criticise Afridi and said that if he really wants to see a peaceful Kashmir, he should ask the Pakistani administration to stop supporting terrorist activities in the Valley.</p>

<p>In a tweet, he wrote: “Dear Afridi, since you want to see a peaceful JK sans any human rights violations could you please see to it that pak terrorists stop infiltrations n pak army stops supporting the separatists by closing down the training camps. It will greatly help in solving the problem.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear Mr Afridi , since you want to see a peaceful JK sans any human rights violations could you please see to it that pak terrorists stop infiltrations n pak army stops supporting the separatists by closing down the training camps . It will greatly help in solving the problem</p>
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) <a href="https://twitter.com/Javedakhtarjadu/status/981260181773275136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>This comes after Afridi tweeted a controversial stance on the state of Kashmir in India. He tweeted: “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?</p>
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/981084208369192961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Soon after Afridi’s comment, many criticised the cricketer. Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was quoted: “Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. What’s there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINETEEN” his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!!.”</p>

<p>In a major turn of events, the US designated the Milli Muslim League (MML), the political front of Pakistan-based Mumbai attack mastermind-led Jamaat-ud Dawa, as a foreign terrorist organisation. Thus, &nbsp;seven members of the MML's central leadership body have been designated as foreign terrorists. The US also added Tehreek-e-Azadi-e-Kashmir (TAJK) to the list of terrorist groups. TAJK is said to be a front of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), which according to the Trump administration, continues to operate freely inside Pakistan.</p>

<p>Also, LeT was responsible for the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six Americans.</p>


'Worrisome situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir with innocent being shot down by oppressive regime,' Afridi had tweeted

Bollywood lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar slammed Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi after the latter raked up a controversy with his ‘Indian-occupied-Kashmir’ comment. An angry Akhtar took to Twitter to criticise Afridi and said that if he really wants to see a peaceful Kashmir, he should ask the Pakistani administration to stop supporting terrorist activities in the Valley. In a tweet, he wrote: “Dear Afridi, since you want to see a peaceful JK sans any human rights violations could you please see to it that pak terrorists stop infiltrations n pak army stops supporting the separatists by closing down the training camps. It will greatly help in solving the problem.” Dear Mr Afridi , since you want to see a peaceful JK sans any human rights violations could you please see to it that pak terrorists stop infiltrations n pak army stops supporting the separatists by closing down the training camps . It will greatly help in solving the problem — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 3, 2018 × This comes after Afridi tweeted a controversial stance on the state of Kashmir in India. He tweeted: “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed? — Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018 × Soon after Afridi’s comment, many criticised the cricketer. Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was quoted: “Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. What’s there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINETEEN” his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!!.” In a major turn of events, the US designated the Milli Muslim League (MML), the political front of Pakistan-based Mumbai attack mastermind-led Jamaat-ud Dawa, as a foreign terrorist organisation. Thus, seven members of the MML's central leadership body have been designated as foreign terrorists. The US also added Tehreek-e-Azadi-e-Kashmir (TAJK) to the list of terrorist groups. TAJK is said to be a front of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), which according to the Trump administration, continues to operate freely inside Pakistan. Also, LeT was responsible for the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

Javed Akhtar slams Shahid Afridi on 'Indian-occupied Kashmir' comment

<p>Superstar Aamir Khan is planning to work on his new project 'Mahabharata'.&nbsp;He has been vocal about his passion for reimagining the epic tale into a movie.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview,&nbsp;he said, "My dream project is to make the 'Mahabharata''&nbsp;but I’m afraid of starting the project as I know it will consume at least 15-20 years of my life. My favorite character is Karna, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to play him due to my physique. I may just have to play Krishna. I also liked the character of Arjun. He was the only person who asked Krishna why he must kill his own people."</p>

<p>Soon after the announcement, users on Twitter started trolling the actor for taking up the role of&nbsp;Hindu God on screen.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why should <a href="https://twitter.com/aamirkhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AamirKhan</a>, a Muslim, play in most ancient & sacred of Hindu epics, the Mahabharata? Is <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> Govt of <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> going to be like the <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> & just stand by in name of secularism??? Would Muslims allow a Hindu to play life of Mohamed?<a href="https://t.co/fC7bvbHkZE">https://t.co/fC7bvbHkZE</a></p>
— Francois Gautier (@fgautier26) <a href="https://twitter.com/fgautier26/status/976419997076545536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Among many voices that came to his defence, Bollywood writer Javed Akhtar came to his rescue on Twitter. He tweeted:&nbsp;“Mr Francois Gautier, would you tell us what is your deal with the PR agencies Like 20 20 India and Adelman India. Are they paying you well to spread negativity against the most ambitious fin project of India “Mahabharata” planned by Mr Mukesh Ambani and Aamir Khan.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mr Francois Gautier , would you tell us what is your deal with the PR agencies Like 20 20 India and Adelman India . Are they paying you well to spread negativity against the most ambitious fin project of India “Mahabharta” planned by Mr Mukesh Ambani and Aamir khan</p>
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) <a href="https://twitter.com/Javedakhtarjadu/status/977436389108166659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">24 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>If news reports to be believed,&nbsp;Aamir Khan's 'Mahabharata'&nbsp;would be one of the most expensive films in the industry and will be backed by none other than billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani.</p>

<p>On earlier occasions, movies like 'Padmaavat'&nbsp;and 'Sexy Durga' have also been mired by controversies for no reason.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


If the news is to be believed Aamir Khan would be playing a pivotal role in 'Mahabharata' which would be bankrolled by Mukesh Ambani

Superstar Aamir Khan is planning to work on his new project 'Mahabharata'. He has been vocal about his passion for reimagining the epic tale into a movie. In an interview, he said, "My dream project is to make the 'Mahabharata'' but I’m afraid of starting the project as I know it will consume at least 15-20 years of my life. My favorite character is Karna, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to play him due to my physique. I may just have to play Krishna. I also liked the character of Arjun. He was the only person who asked Krishna why he must kill his own people." Soon after the announcement, users on Twitter started trolling the actor for taking up the role of Hindu God on screen. Why should @AamirKhan, a Muslim, play in most ancient & sacred of Hindu epics, the Mahabharata? Is @BJP4India Govt of @narendramodi going to be like the @INCIndia & just stand by in name of secularism??? Would Muslims allow a Hindu to play life of Mohamed?https://t.co/fC7bvbHkZE — Francois Gautier (@fgautier26) 21 March 2018 × Among many voices that came to his defence, Bollywood writer Javed Akhtar came to his rescue on Twitter. He tweeted: “Mr Francois Gautier, would you tell us what is your deal with the PR agencies Like 20 20 India and Adelman India. Are they paying you well to spread negativity against the most ambitious fin project of India “Mahabharata” planned by Mr Mukesh Ambani and Aamir Khan.” Mr Francois Gautier , would you tell us what is your deal with the PR agencies Like 20 20 India and Adelman India . Are they paying you well to spread negativity against the most ambitious fin project of India “Mahabharta” planned by Mr Mukesh Ambani and Aamir khan — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) 24 March 2018 × If news reports to be believed, Aamir Khan's 'Mahabharata' would be one of the most expensive films in the industry and will be backed by none other than billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. On earlier occasions, movies like 'Padmaavat' and 'Sexy Durga' have also been mired by controversies for no reason.

Aamir Khan to play Hindu God's role in Mahabharata, trolled on Twitter

<p>Critically acclaimed Indian actress Shabana Azmi on Saturday said that the country is seeing episodes of hyper-nationalism and although the phenomenon was not novel, people need to be alarmed about it.</p>

<p>Shabana Azmi also said that understanding the difference between nationalism and patriotism was the need of the hour.</p>

<p>&quot;Patriotism concerns itself with the lives of the people in this geographical entity and also concerns with improving their lot. So you can continue to be very patriotic and still be critical about certain issues in the society. In no way, does it make you unpatriotic,&quot; Ms Azmi said.</p>

<p>&quot;But what we are seeing now (in the country) is hyper-nationalism. And that is something to be alarmed about. It has always existed. (And) Culture and arts are always attacked first because the country&#39;s image is defined by what they represent,&quot; the actress added.</p>

<p>The actress was addressing a panel discussion on &quot;Nationalism and Arts&quot; at the Times Litfest along with her husband and lyricist Javed Akhtar.</p>

<p>Shabana Azmi also expressed her support to &quot;Padmavati&quot;&nbsp;director Sanjay Leela and actress Deepika Padukone receiving death threats over the film.</p>

<p>She said, &quot;Criticism is fine. Dissent is fine...What is not fine is threats of death, killing people or burning them alive - as has been done with Deepika Padukone. As an actress, as a colleague, as a member of the industry, I don&#39;t think it has ever been as bad as it is today.&quot;</p>

<p>Javed Akhtar also addressed the matter saying &quot;It is not happening for the first time with &#39;Padmavati&#39;. But we must ask ourselves that did we earn the right to stand for &#39;Padmavati&#39;? When &quot;Fire&quot; was removed, when &quot;Kissa Kursi Ka&quot; prints were burnt...Did we stand up for all those films? How many people protested?&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;When you are protesting against &#39;Padmavati&#39;, did you also protest against the play that glorified Nathuram Godse? What I am saying is that all of us carry baggage. All of us are guilty of sometimes keeping quiet. We tend to speak only out of choice. That is not objectivity,&quot; Akhtar added.<br />
<br />
(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)</p>


Critically acclaimed Indian actress Shabana Azmi today said that the country is seeing episodes of hyper-nationalism and although the phenomenon was not novel, people need to be alarmed about it

Critically acclaimed Indian actress Shabana Azmi on Saturday said that the country is seeing episodes of hyper-nationalism and although the phenomenon was not novel, people need to be alarmed about it. Shabana Azmi also said that understanding the difference between nationalism and patriotism was the need of the hour. "Patriotism concerns itself with the lives of the people in this geographical entity and also concerns with improving their lot. So you can continue to be very patriotic and still be critical about certain issues in the society. In no way, does it make you unpatriotic," Ms Azmi said. "But what we are seeing now (in the country) is hyper-nationalism. And that is something to be alarmed about. It has always existed. (And) Culture and arts are always attacked first because the country's image is defined by what they represent," the actress added. The actress was addressing a panel discussion on "Nationalism and Arts" at the Times Litfest along with her husband and lyricist Javed Akhtar. Shabana Azmi also expressed her support to "Padmavati" director Sanjay Leela and actress Deepika Padukone receiving death threats over the film. She said, "Criticism is fine. Dissent is fine...What is not fine is threats of death, killing people or burning them alive - as has been done with Deepika Padukone. As an actress, as a colleague, as a member of the industry, I don't think it has ever been as bad as it is today." Javed Akhtar also addressed the matter saying "It is not happening for the first time with 'Padmavati'. But we must ask ourselves that did we earn the right to stand for 'Padmavati'? When "Fire" was removed, when "Kissa Kursi Ka" prints were burnt...Did we stand up for all those films? How many people protested?" "When you are protesting against 'Padmavati', did you also protest against the play that glorified Nathuram Godse? What I am saying is that all of us carry baggage. All of us are guilty of sometimes keeping quiet. We tend to speak only out of choice. That is not objectivity," Akhtar added. (With inputs from PTI)

Country is witnessing hyper-nationalism, alarming: Shabana Azmi on 'Padmavati' row

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Javed Akhtar slams Shahid Afridi on 'Indian-occupied Kashmir' comment

Aamir Khan to play Hindu God's role in Mahabharata, trolled on Twitter

Country is witnessing hyper-nationalism, alarming: Shabana Azmi on 'Padmavati' row