Author:
Publication: PakTribune.com
Date: May 19, 2006
URL: http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=144151
[Note from Hindu Vivek Kendra: Pls see the
comments at the end of the article.]
Recently, the entire cast of Akbar Khan's
film 'Taj Mahal' was in Pakistan to represent one of the first Indian films
that will be screened in Pakistan after a considerably long time. The Indian
delegation consisted of many members from the Khan clan, including Fardeen
Khan and his wife Natasha. Mahesh Bhatt was also a part of this honorable
delegation along with several other actors and government personnel. The trip
was to mark a new beginning for the ongoing peace process between Pakistan
and India. However, what started as a memorable moment was later turned into
an embarrassing situation for the Indian delegation due to Feroz Khan's fracas
with a Pakistani delegate.
The quarrel began when the anchor of the show
in Pakistan, Fakhr-E-Alam posed a sensitive question to actress Manisha Koirala.
Manisha seemed hesitant to answer the question and was seen squirming, so
the anchor gauging her reaction sarcastically offered to change the subject.
When Feroz Khan who was close at hand, heard the anchor's taunts towards the
actress, he was enraged and began to berate Alam. But this verbal chiding
soon turned into a heated argument between Khan and the anchor. The hot-headed
Khan was soon hurling insults and abuses at the anchor and he was even heard
making insulting remarks about Pakistan and Pakistani people. Feroz was heard
saying "We have a Muslim President and Sikh Prime Minister in India,
but in Pakistan Muslims kill Muslims." He also went onto state that Indian
films were so powerful that even the Pakistan government was unable to suppress
them for long.
The entire Indian delegation was completely
embarrassed by Feroz Khan's remarks. Son Fardeen Khan and brother Akbar Khan
tried to calm the worked up actor who was quite drunk, but there was no stopping
him and he was hurling insults and even resorted to breaking a few plates.
Pakistani officials were completely taken aback with this scene and showed
their displeasure over the incident by asking Feroz Khan to leave Pakistan.
Mahesh Bhatt who was also present during the function said, "We are all
extremely shocked with this incident and it was certainly not expected from
Feroz Khan. The entire team of Indians was extremely apologetic to the Pakistanis
for Feroz Khan's remarks and behaviour". Akbar Khan's spokesperson, Dale
Bhagwagar stated, "Feroz Khan's behaviour was in his personal capacity.
It had nothing to do with the Indian delegation and did not hamper the purpose
of the visit. We are human beings and one does have arguments and heated discussions,
but that should not deflect us from the main issue of friendship between the
two countries. The issue is too large to be hampered by one person alone."
Feroz Khan later told media persons, "Fakhr-E-Alam
was asking my colleague, Manisha Koirala a question in an indecent manner.
So I intervened and merely asked him not to ask any such questions. I did
not even use a single word to disgrace my hosts Pakistan or the Pakistani
people. The story is being concocted, how can such a staunch supporter of
friendship between the two neighbouring countries speak any words that could
hamper the peace efforts?" It was later on decided by the Khans, that
Feroz would not accompany the delegation to Karachi. He is now in Dubai. Feroz
Khan is well-known for his hot headedness and irrational behavior. There have
been several instances in the past where the actor has reacted on an impulse
and spoken without thinking of the consequences. It looks like this time the
actor's antics were not taken lightly. As an ambassador for India, the actor
should have been more responsible in his behavior.
COMMENT:
We are presuming the events as reported in the publication below are the exact
way that happened. So, it would be appropriate to analyse them.
First, it would appear that the sensitve question
posed to Manishaji was with an intention to get her to squirm, and then Fakhrji
would appear gracious by sarcastically offering to change the subject. And
it was here that Ferozji stepped in to support Manishaji. So, what was the
real cause of a memorable moment turning into an emabarrassing situation?
Second, the report says that it is compulsory
for the Indians not to make any statements against the hosts. Ok, if this
is the rule, then surely it should be expected that the Pakistanis when they
come to India to follow this. Is this what happens?
Third, the report says that Ferozeji was quite
drunk. Correct us if we are wrong. Pakistan is an Islamic country and liquor
is not publicly available. So how did Ferozeji lay hands on his favourite
beverage (and we are not talking about Coca Cola)? Oh, we get it. Ferozeji
knew that in Pakistan he will have to compulsorily abstain from partaking
his beloved brew, and so he tanked up in dar-ul-harb (aka India) prior to
coming to dar-ul-islam (aka Pakistan).
