Hypocrisy of bhakts exposed: Salman trolled for having Fawad Khan's back

Salman Khan has done the unthikable.

No he hasn't run over yet another group of pavement dwellers (sorry, did we just say that? But then there'll always be the *driver*), nor has he shot some black bucks in Rajasthan (sorry, did we say that too?).

On the contrary.

Bhai has in fact strongly criticised the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA)'s decision to indefinitely ban Pakistani artists.

Surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir notwithstanding, supporting Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar and Atif Aslam, among a host of dishy and talented actors, musicians and creative people from across the border is perhaps the most sensible thing that the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor has done in a really long time.

Exactly when the MNS, led by that uber-jingoist Raj Thackeray, was baying for Fawad's blood, and the actor appeared, disappeared and then resurfaced mysteriously after that 48-hour "ultimatum", Salman Khan spoke up in favour of not labelling the lovely people from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore as "terrorists".

In a press interaction, Salman Khan said, "They [Pakistani actors] are artists, not terrorists. It's the government who [sic] gives them permits and visas." Salman said: "The ideal situation would have been of peace. Now when this has happened, then obviously there will be reaction to this action." He added: “In this day and this age, I think if we live with love and peace, then it will be better for everyone, especially for the common man.”

Exactly at a time when Bollywood honchos were tweeting self-flagellating patriotism to laud the Indian Army for its surgical strikes, Salman had the guts to speak his mind, while also praising the army.

But obviously in Bhaktland, there's no scope for nuance, yes even nuance from Salman Khan.

While the likes of Karan Johar, in whose upcoming big-budget Ai Dil Hai Mushkil, Fawad has a starring role, and Shah Rukh Khan, in whose next venture Raees, Mahira plays the female lead, have batted in favour of the Pak actors, no one has attracted as much backlash from the bhakts as Salman Khan. 

Why would anyone pin the deplorable Uri attack on Pakistani actors and musicians, the best and nicest of people across the border, who have only spread the cross-border love, and are a must for peace.

Since the September 18 attacks on the Army camp in Uri by Pakistani Army-trained terrorists, a lumpen section of the media and the swathes of bhakts online have called for a ban on Pakistani artists working in India.

On Friday, the Mumbai-based Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) passed a resolution to ban Pakistani actors from the film industry.

If this isn't rampant madness, what is?

And who would have expected the modicum of sanity from Salman Khan? But then, Bhai can spring a surprise or two, and can truly prove himself to be the Sultan off and on screen.

It's just the hypocrisy of these Salman-bashing trolls, who otherwise salivate when Salman plays a patriotic cop or a wrestler on celluloid, and lap every one of his campish pelvic thrusts, that is truly obnoxious.

Here are the social media reactions:

One controversial statement too many?

Well, that escalated...

Will Daddy Salim come to the rescue again?

It wasn't me?

Go back where?

Doing a Bajrangi Bhaijaan?

While there were some who supported Bhai's view:

Talk about hypocrisy.

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News: Salman Khan backs Pak actors, says they are not terrorists