The Hindu : International : Pakistani actress denies being fined

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

International

International

Pakistani actress denies being fined

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 24. Pakistani actress Meera today denied reports that she had been "fined heavily" by the Government for performing a kissing scene in the Bollywood film, Nazar, and said no one had contacted her on the issue.

Currently shooting in Mumbai, Ms. Meera told Pakistani television channels over telephone that she was surprised at the "motivated reports." She contended that no one had seen the scenes in the film, which was still under production, and the reports of a fine were intriguing.

She asserted that she had not done anything in the film either against "Islamic ethics and moral values" or the culture of Pakistan. At a juncture when India and Pakistan were engaged in joint film productions, such reports harmed the interest of the industry, she said. "There is not a single scene in Nazar that you would not find in an average Pakistani film. The campaign against the film even before it is released in the market is obviously propaganda by vested interests."

Pakistan's Online news agency, quoting an Information Ministry spokesman, had claimed on Monday that the Ministry of Culture had imposed a heavy fine on Ms. Meera. It claimed that Ms. Meera had kissed her Indian co-star, Ashmit Patel, in the Mahesh Bhatt film.

The report further said the Pakistan Government was considering banning Pakistani actors from appearing in Indian films.

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