Following the Uri attacks in September last year, a ban was imposed on Pakistani actors restraining them from seeking work in Indian film industry. The tension between India and Pakistan raised further more questions about a possible war between the countries.
When Salman Khan was back then asked to speak his mind on the situation, the actor opined, "War is not a sensible move. Nobody benefits from a war. There should be peace with Pakistan. People who order war should be given guns and made to fight. Within a day, all conflicts will get over as their legs will start shaking. In war, the armies of both sides lose their lives. Families lose their sons/fathers. They have to live their whole lives without them."
Salman's statement didn't go well down with a few political fronts and was followed by a backlash from detractors. Coming to his defence, brother Sohail Khan thinks that Salman's comment was that of a common man.
Sohail said, "A lot of importance is given to actors' comments on such issues. I am not sure if people from this industry have the knowledge to talk about politics with such depth. What Salman Bhai - or any actor for that matter - says, is his opinion as a common man, a mere civilian. Ask people about war, and anyone would say it's bad. That's exactly what he said as well. War anywhere, in any part of the world, be it Syria, India, Iraq, China, cannot be a good thing."
Adding onto Salman's comment, Sohail continued, "I wouldn't understand the psyche of anyone who says war is a good thing. Dialogue, debate, discussions have proven to go a long way in mending relations, without our jawans going to the front and losing lives. Sadly, we don't always know why these things happen and how they happen. Lack of knowledge from our side often downplays our intentions. We don't have the authority to say things or the right to stop things. So, all we can do is lament."
Talking about the war scene in 'Tubelight', Sohail said, "There is a scene where I get recruited for the Army and Salman's character feels bad because he feels Army people lose their lives. I am told they are right in their own way, but I don't see how. We respect all soldiers who put their life on the line for us. We should do something to protect them too. Authorities should be questioned for sending them [to war]. Why should anyone have to lose their loved ones?"
Questioning if war can put an end to hostility between the two countries, Sohail concluded, "We all think about it. But when you voice it, there is a contradictory viewpoint. But isn't that the reason we make a film like 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' (2015) or 'Tubelight'?"
CREDITS: MID-DAY 