New Delhi:
Television actress turned politician Shilpa Shinde hits headlines again. The actress has slammed AICWA and FWICE for banning Mika Singh over his performance in Pakistan and has even posed a challenge on the federation to 'stop her from going to Pakistan if they can.'
Shilpa became a household name after her portrayal of Angoori Bhabhi in the television show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain. But after gaining much popularity in the show she asked for a pay hike and personal designer, getting to refused to which she quit the show without prior notice. CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) then sent the actress a letter asking her to bear the cost of financial loss incurred by the producer or channels. The association even issued a non-cooperation directive against her, meaning no broadcaster or producer will be allowed to work with her.
She then went on to participate in the eleventh season of the Indian reality television series Bigg Boss and emerged as the winner. The actress then joined Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. While in the Bigg Boss show she earned the reputation of not mincing words and be very upfront about what she has to say.
Talking about the entire controversy revolving Mika Singh and his recent performance at former President General Pervez Musharraf's relative's wedding, she told TOI, "I think rather than criticising you should be proud of the fact that Mika Singh has been called to perform there despite of them having good singers and musicians. If our government is giving him visa who is federation to stop him from performing in Pakistan. How can they stop him? I would like to tell the federation that you have much bigger problems in the industry to deal with, please try and solve them. You haven't been able to put a regulation on working hours of artists and crew members. People still work for 12-15 hours when in your rule book it says 8 hours shift. We are bringing shame to our own artistes by commenting about them."
"Do I need to say Pakistan murdabad to show my love for country?" she further questioned while saying that no one else can decide if one loves their country or not. She finds no logic in stopping to perform in Pakistan or saying bad things about the country to 'become patriotic.' She asked such people to go join the armed forces if they want to 'really show the love for the country.'
"If tomorrow federation decides to ban me. I will perform on-road, let me see how will they stop me," she was further cited as saying.
Meanwhile, Mika Singh apologised to the nation in a media briefing calling it a mere co-incidence that he went there when revoking of Article 370 happened. Following his statement, the Federation of Western India Cine Employee (FWICE) lifted the ban.
