Pakistani actress Sarwat Gilani is currently enjoying the accolades her film Joyland is receiving world over. It recently became the first Pakistani film to be shortlisted for the Oscars. But that’s not all. Her Zee Zindagi show Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam recently won Gold at Promox India Awards and Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Anthology.
Pakistani movies are receiving backslash in India from a few political parties and organizations. Protests against Fawad Khan’s movie The Legend Of Maula Jatt is a recent example. But despite this, Sarwat believes that she never feels apprehensive of tying up with Indian talent.
In an interview with Indian Express, she said, “Half of my family is from India. I grew up with a lot of Indian culture. To feel, ‘Oh as a celebrity it would affect me, people would not look so kindly towards me’– no. Even if they didn’t, it’s ok. At the end of the day, you have worked 18 years for this country; have had the best of the times.”
Sarwat added that one shouldn’t shy away from collaborating internationally. “It is time to expand and there is no harm in doing that, because you are not degrading anyone by your craft,” she said. “You are only spreading inclusion, love, narratives and stories that need to be told across the borders.”
