Behind the camera, Bushra Ansari may have played a bitter mother-in-law to Hania Aamir’s Sharjeena in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum last year, but away from the world of fiction, this screen veteran has nothing but warm words of praise for Pakistan’s fresh-faced young star — particularly in light of Indian backlash following the release of Bollywood film Sardaar Ji 3.
“Our Hania is so talented, I don’t know why these Indians are so afraid of her and blocking the film just because she is in it,” mused the Deemak actor on her YouTube channel Busy B!. “So what if they picked a Pakistani actor for their film? Is it really necessary for you to go blocking her?”
Praising her younger co-star’s work ethic, Bushra noted that Hania is a committed actor bringing her A-game to the table whatever the circumstances.
“It doesn’t matter whether she is shooting in the summer or winter, she is always there devoted to her shooting without any fuss,” said the veteran in her usual matter-of-fact way, and added, “Whether or not someone is earning ten rupees or a ten-million rupees, it doesn’t matter — work is work, summer is summer, winter is winter! She has that dedication, I’ve seen it in her.”
Hania’s presence alongside Diljit Dosanjh in Sardaar Ji has meant that the Pakistani star has borne the brunt of Indian rage — a fact that Bushra could not overlook in her video message. Mincing no words, she continued, “To my Indian friends, I would say this: stop behaving like children […] If they have invested millions in the film, why are you so threatened by this young girl? Are you afraid of her talent? You shouldn’t be! You have enough of your own talent, and it doesn’t matter if they cast a Pakistani star this one time!”
Supporting this one instance of cross-border collaboration, Bushra had one final no-nonsense piece of advice for her Indian cohorts: “You should have some principles in life!”
