Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy had a one-on-one chat with ace filmmaker Karan Johar at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Among other things, Sharmeen spoke to Karan about the whole Fawad Khan episode where the release for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was in jeopardy and Pakistani actors were sent back to Pakistan.
He said:
I’m trying to process how to answer that… You know what I went through. It was a tough time for me. I have a great regard for talent and I have a great regard for Fawad Khan’s talent which is why he’s been in two of our films.
He continued:
The circumstances… we don’t know where we’re heading, and I think all great actors should find the best platforms and just like you, I hope Fawad Khan finds the best platform because he’s a terrific actor. Having said that, I never want to go through what I went through again. Neither the situation, the circumstances, nor the apology. None of that is what made me feel comfortable. I felt weak, vulnerable, victimised, and as a filmmaker, I don’t want to feel that. I just want to feel creatively liberated.Sigh.