Pakistani veteran actress Bushra Ansari has strongly criticised renowned Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar, without naming him directly, over his controversial statements accusing Pakistan of involvement in the April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives.
Currently touring Germany and Switzerland for a fundraising campaign, Bushra Ansari shared a video message online to respond to the allegations. In her remarks, she urged Indian celebrities to avoid making baseless and inflammatory statements, especially in such sensitive matters.
“What drama are you playing, India?” she asked. “Look at your own policies — giving visas to women married in India for 40 years, and now trying to expel them.”
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Without naming Akhtar directly, she mocked his need for relevance, referring to his earlier struggles in Mumbai. “He didn’t even get a house on rent in Bombay… Now to stay relevant, he’s saying anything. Shame on you,” she remarked.
Bushra Ansari further advised Akhtar to learn from other Indian artists, saying, “He should stay silent like Naseeruddin Shah.” She also took aim at Indian media and military figures, including controversial TV host Arnab Goswami and a retired Indian Army officer, describing them as “venomous voices” spreading division across the region.
Despite her criticism of Indian public figures, Ansari clarified her respect for the Indian public, recounting a recent encounter with an Indian woman who expressed warmth and admiration for her. “The problem isn’t the people — it’s the governments and extremist voices poisoning minds,” she noted.
Her candid response went viral on Pakistani media and social media, with users praising her for defending Pakistan and calling out misinformation.
The backlash came after Javed Akhtar’s remarks during a public event in Maharashtra, where he suggested India should take a tougher stance against Pakistan, stating that “a few crackers on the border will not work.” He also directly criticised Pakistan’s military, calling for a strong response.
Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has called for a neutral international investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, several international organisations — including the US State Department, Brill, Council on Foreign Relations, India Hate Lab, and Association for Asian Studies — have published reports highlighting rising religious intolerance and hate speech against minorities in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government.
