Sonam Kapoor was recently interviewed by the BBC in which she proceeded to highlight her views on the Kashmir situation and Pakistan. Why an individual along the likes of Sonam Kapoor, who has no worthy laurels to add to her name, given the kind of importance in the first place is besides the point; the fact remains that during the interview all she was immersed in doing was painting a sad and pitiable image as far as the relations between the 2 countries go, alongside garnering sympathy for her own self.
The Kashmir situation on the Indian-administered side continues to divide people, including in Bollywood.
Actress Sonam Kapoor has been speaking to us about it and says it's upsetting because of her family's links to the region. pic.twitter.com/Uz5Leujiaz
— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) August 15, 2019
Talking about the state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, she said, “It’s heartbreaking to see where the situation has landed right now and I’m very patriotic. So I think for me now it’s better to keep quiet and let this pass because even this too shall pass.”
She further continued, “Our countries were like one country 70 years ago and the fact that there is so much divisive politics at play is really heart breaking.”
But the most surprising of her statements was her displeasure at Pakistan banning her films in the country. She said, “As an artist, you want to be represented everywhere and you want your work to be shown everywhere. Neerja wasn’t shown in Pakistan even though it was a true story because the plane landed in Karachi and the hijack took place in Karachi, and it didn’t in any way show Pakistan in a negative light at all but the fact that they didn’t show the film there was really heartbreaking for me. I have a huge Pakistani following and my two best friends; they are Muslim and half Pakistani.”
This essentially indicates that despite Pakistan’s decision to ban Sonam Kapoor’s Veere Di Wedding and Neerja, Sonam Kapoor’s love for the neighbour remains as is. So instead of supporting the Indian government’s move, she is expressing sorrow over the steps taken by Pakistan.
She stated that the situation in Kashmir is “very complicated” and that she does not “understand it as much because there is so much contrasting news, contrary news everywhere so I don’t really know what the truth is.”
When she is clearly admitting that she does not know the situation, what is the sudden need to show Pakistan love?
Indian soldiers risk their lives to protect the country along with its citizens including Sonam Kapoor from the Pakistani threat. Over and above that, the Kashmiris are suffering because of the unethical annexure of Paksitan in the state. A large chunk of Jammu and Kashmir has been taken over by Pakistan who supposedly administrates it, but the atrocities committed on the people are gruesome. Without having an iota of knowledge, Sonam Kapoor goes and puts on a pitiable show when she should be standing in solidarity with the country.
Further inciting sympathy, Sonam Kapoor said, “I am half Sindhi and half Peshawari so it’s heart breaking to see that part of my culture is something that I can’t explore as well because of that.”
Amidst the tentions between the two countries, due to Pakistan’s refusal to stop sponsoring terrorism, Sonam Kapoor is claiming to feel bad that she cannot explore that part of her culture. This indicates where her priorities lie.
Further illustrating her selfishness, Sonam Kapoor stated, “My name is Sonam. I was named when my parents went to Kashmir and my parents were there for a while.” “They decided to name me from there. I haven’t been there since because of the unrest.”
Thus Sonam Kapoor is more concerned about the fact that she hasn’t been able to vacation, when there are countless lives which were suffering due to the unrest, including the Kashmiri Pandits.
She said, “I hope there is a peaceful way of working things out. I don’t know how that’s possible but I think there should be because it’s a beautiful place but I think it’s been under so much duress and I don’t think anybody knows who’s right now. I don’t think they themselves know who’s right.”
This statement of hers indicates the pessimist attitude she has towards the state. Moreover, after having declared that she does not have any information on the issue, to make an opinion on it, she chose to disregard her own statement by making this highly opinionated statement.
Sonam Kapoor through this interview she indicated that her opinions greatly differ from that of the unified country India is. Many celebrities, including Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Dia Mirza, Pooja Bedi, Zaira Wasim and Raveena Tandon have all expressed support to India’s decision. However, Sonam Kapoor has chosen to disregard the very country that made her a star. The very country that has made her into a star does not have her support in times of need.
The entirely selfish attitude portrays that along with her substandard success in the film industry, Sonam Kapoor has also failed on the patriotic front.