Reacting for the first time on the controversy surrounding the demand for a ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, Actor Fawad Khan on Friday said that as a father of two children, he prays and wishes for a "more
peaceful world".
The 34-year-old actor said he left India in July not because of any threat but to be with his wife, Sadaf, who was expecting their second child.
"I've received numerous requests from the media and from well wishers worldwide asking me for my thoughts on the sad incidents that took place in the past few weeks.
"As a father of two little children, I pray and wish like many others that together we can build and live in a more peaceful world. I believe we owe it to our children who will shape our tomorrow," Fawad wrote on his Facebook.
The actor dismissed reports of his alleged anti-India comments, saying he is speaking on the matter for the first time.
"This is the first time I have spoken on the matter. Please disregard any other words attributed to me during this time because I have not said them.
"I thank all my fans and fellow artists from Pakistan, India and people in general all over the world who have shown continued support for their belief in love and understanding to unite a divisive world," he wrote.
There is a growing demand for a ban on artistes from Pakistan by certain sections in India in the wake of Uri terror attack.
Fawad, one of the most popular Pakistani actors in India, will next be seen in Karan Johar's upcoming film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".
He and other Pakistani actors like Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar and Atif Aslam were targetted by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which had issued an ultimatum to them to leave India within 48 hours or be forced out.
The party has also threatened to stall the releases of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and "Raees", starring Mahira.
Subsequently, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association passed a motion to ban artistes from across the border from working in the industry till Indo-Pak relations are normalised.
Fawad's comments come a day after Shafqat Amanat Ali condemned the Uri attack.
Bollywood is divided on the issue. While Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Hansal Mehta and Anurag Kashyap have criticised it, many in the industry such as Randeep Hooda, Sonali Bendre and Nana Patekar have supported the ban on artistes from Pakistan.
