After igniting a war of words on Twitter with her hostile comments about Pakistan, 'Veere Di Wedding' actor Swara Bhasker tries to dampen the fury with a flattering post. The recently released Bollywood movie has been banned in Pakistan and Swara apparently threw some thoughts across which were trolled by people on both sides. Speaking to Indian film critic Rajeev Masand about the ban on the film in Pakistan, Swara called Pakistan a 'failing state', according to reports in The Express Tribune. The video of the interview has gone viral and Swara is facing backlash on Twitter. The actor said in the interview, "For some reason I have to keep answering for that. I don't know why people think I'm a spokesperson for the Pakistani government. What do you expect from a state that's run by Sharia Laws?" She added, "They're a nonsecular state. I'm not surprised at all. Why should we hold up Pakistan, which is a failing state - I don't understand why we keep taking pleasure and feeling a sense of self-worth from all the silly things that happen in Pakistan. Apologies to all my Pakistani friends right now. Rest assured, Pakistanis have way worse vocabulary than we do. I know." Several Pakistani celebrities Urwa Hocane, Gohar Rasheed, and Armeena Rana Khan joined on Twitter and responded to the actor's intolerance and ill-informed facts. Urwa reminded Swara of her interview on a Pakistani channel in 2015 where she expressed her liking for the neighbouring country. While Gohar and Armeena termed Swara's comments as a way of garnering attention.
2/3 While you're on this spree of empowering women,i must say you've become a bitter person. And all of this is odd coming from a citizen of a state that bans their own films i.e. #Padmavat so let's not talk about women empowerment. - URWA HOCANE (@VJURWA) June 2, 2018
3/3 This only reflects on u as an ignorant person who is also quiet contradictory in her own statements. It's not a failing state for sure but u come across as a "Failing Human Being" !!! @ReallySwara
From the citizen of the Phenomenal Pakistan ???? - URWA HOCANE (@VJURWA) June 2, 2018
There's a way to promote a film and then there's a back-handed way to do it. I know you are relatively new but you've been ill advised by your PR (if you have any) you can't antagonise an entire nation. Some ppl were actually looking forward to your film. #Spreadlovenothate - Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) June 3, 2018
However let me tell you, the way we give respect, spread peace and provide knowledge to ignorant attention seekers clearly reflects on where we stand intellectually. (9/10) #SwaraBhaskar#AttentionSeeker - Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) June 3, 2018
However, as the heated debate continued online, Swara wrote on Twitter, "Dushman ka dushman Dost!!! I'm totally okay with with being the dushman in this case if it brings some dosti to us bickering neighbours :) :) Peace and love guys!" Swara was replying to a tweet by user Pedestrain Poet, who wrote, "Indians and Pakistanis. Divided by history, pain, sociopolitical realities, religion, terrorism. United by hating on Swara."
???????? Dushman ka dushman Dost!!! I'm totally okay with with being the dushman in this case if it brings some dosti to us bickering neighbours :) :) Peace and love guys! ?? https://t.co/Fz82K6Wj9b - Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 3, 2018
In order to douse the ire, the actor tweeted today: "There should be a distinction between States/ govts of a country & the people of that country. My regard for & goodwill towards the people of #Pakistan remains unchanged. Some of my closest friends are Pakistani. Lahore remains one of my soul cities."
Thanks Anshul! there should we a distinction between States/ govts of a country & the people of that country. My regard for & goodwill towards the people of #Pakistan remains unchanged. Some of my closest friends are Pakistani. Lahore remains one of my soul cities. ???????? https://t.co/JHImDSnwKU - Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 4, 2018