Details
Raju Vernekar
Vernekar.raj@gmail.com
“Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s meeting with First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdoğan, during his visit to Turkey for the shooting of his upcoming film “Laal Singh Chaddha”, has irked many netizens at home.”
“Aamir Khan who is in Turkey for the shooting of his film, met the First Lady of Turkey and the photograph of that meeting was tweeted by the first lady herself with tweet “”I had the great pleasure of meeting @aamir_khan, the world-renowned Indian actor, filmmaker, and director, in Istanbul. I was happy to learn that Aamir decided to wrap up the shooting of his latest movie ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ in different parts of Turkey. I look forward to it!”” she tweeted.”
“The first lady received Aamir at the presidential residence at the Huber Mansion in Istanbul on 15 August. As per the statement on the Turkey President’s official website, the 55-year-old Indian actor spoke to Erdoğan regarding the social responsibility projects he is associated with. During the meeting, the first lady congratulated the actor on addressing social issues in his movies. Aamir stated that he would complete the shooting of his film, which couldn’t be completed in India due to COVID-19, in Turkey, and invited First Lady Erdogan to the film set.”
“However, Aamir’s meeting with Erdoğan has not gone down well with some of the Indian citizens, who raised the issue of strained ties between India and Turkey. Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his visit to Islamabad, had compared the situation in Kashmir with the Gallipoli campaign of the World War II.”
““Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you [Pakistanis]… Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had said while addressing a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament.”
“BJP Spokesperson Gaurab Bhatia said that “Aamir is on our heart. But how he can meet the Turkish first lady, when the Turkey has been speaking against India. Some time back the Turkish president, had out of context, commented that the Muslims were harassed in Delhi riots. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said that hearts of some persons and artists are busting with love for the people from enemy countries. Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy tweeted “ So I have been proven right in classifying Aamir Khan as one of the 3 Khan Musketeers?”.”
“However Congress spokesperson bhishek Singhvi tweeted ” Aamir is a free citizen can meet whom and do what he likes. Connecting unconnectibles!”. It may be recalled that a couple of years back, no sooner BJP came to power at the centre, Aamir had said that his wife was worried about the future of their children due to “growing intolerance” in India.”
