Won't engage with Pakistani talents, says deeply hurt Karan Johar

Mumbai, Oct 18: Filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday broke his silence over the controversy around his film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and released a video statement in which he said that "he will not engage with talent from Pakistan."

After various attacks and call for boycotts by various political parties on Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', the film's release seems to have been jeopardized.

Things went downhill for the director when Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association boycotted the film fearing protests and damage to their properties. Amidst all this Karan Johar also met the Joint Commissioner of Police in Mumbai.

His two-minute video statement explains his stance on the issue.The clip shows how much the negativity is actually affecting him.The director explained why he didn't issue any statements earlier and said that he is deeply hurt because of a few people who think that he is being anti-national. "For me, my country comes first and nothing else matters to me but that. I have always felt that the best way to express my patriotism is through love and that is what I have tried to do with my films".

This is what his statement read:

"There has been some talk about why I remained silent for the past two weeks. Today I would like to clarify that the reason why I remained silent is because of the deep sense of hurt and the deep sense of pain that I felt because a few people actually felt that I am anti-national. I need to say this and say this with strength that my country comes first. I have always felt that the best way to express your patriotism is to spread love and that's all I have ever tried to do through my work and cinema.When I shot my film, 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' in September to December last year, the climate was completely different, the circumstances were completely different. There were efforts made by our government for peaceful relation with the neighbouring country and I respected those efforts then. I respect and understand the sentiments today as well. I understand the sentiments because I feel the same. Going forward, I would like to say that of course I would not engage with talent from our neighboring countries given the circumstance. But with that same energy I would want you to know that over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears in my film and I don't think it is fair to them to face any sort of turbulence. I respect the Indian army, I salute the Indian army for everything they do to protect us. I respect them with all my heart and I say I condemn any form of terrorism and especially the terrorism that possess threat to the people in my country and me. I just hope all of you understand the situation we are in and respect the fact that we love and respect our country over and above anything else."