Veteran Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari has strongly criticized Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar for his repeated anti-Pakistan statements, particularly following his recent comments suggesting Pakistani involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including those of tourists.
Currently on a fundraising tour in Germany and Switzerland, Ansari addressed the issue in a video message shared online, expressing her disappointment at what she called baseless allegations and divisive rhetoric from certain Indian public figures.
In her message, Ansari questioned India’s policies, saying, “What kind of drama is this, India? Fix your own internal issues first. You granted visas to women married in India for decades, and now you're expelling them. Where’s the justice in that?”
Without directly naming Akhtar, she alluded to him while pointing out the tendency of some personalities to exploit situations for personal attention. “Our writer needs an excuse to be relevant,” she remarked. “Apparently, he couldn't even find a place to live in Bombay, so now he’ll say whatever it takes to stay in the spotlight.”
She further criticized him for making inflammatory statements at his age. “You’re in the twilight of your life – at least speak with some responsibility. Why spread hatred? It’s better to remain silent, like Naseeruddin Shah and other dignified voices in the industry.”
Ansari also named Indian television host Arnab Goswami and a former army officer, urging them to stop spreading divisive narratives. She emphasized that it is not the Indian public, but rather a few extreme voices within the media and political landscape that are fueling regional hostility.
“The real issue is not the people of India—they don’t harbor such hatred. It’s the aggressive posturing from officials and loud voices that are poisoning public perception,” she stated.
Her response came after Javed Akhtar’s remarks at an event in Maharashtra, where he called for strong action against Pakistan, citing alleged links to the recent Pahalgam attack.
Ansari concluded by calling for unity and peace, rather than further inflaming tensions between the two neighboring countries.
