Mumbai, July 2: “Dangal’ star Zaira Wasim’s decision to quit her career on grounds that it was interfering in her faith propelled her to the centre of intense debate on Monday with politicians, industry insiders and others speaking out, some backing her and others criticising her for giving “fodder to bigots”.
In a viral Facebook post on Sunday, the Kashmir-born teen said she had decided to say goodbye to films as she felt her relationship with her religion was threatened.
In response to some comments that her account was hacked, the 18-year-old actor on Monday reiterated her decision to quit, saying: “This to clarify that none of my social media accounts were or are hacked and are being handled by me personally. Kindly refrain from believing or sharing claims that state otherwise. Thanks.”
Wasim’s decision to quit after just three films led to reactions from various quarters, with National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi and actors Raveena Tandon, Anupam Kher and writer Taslima Nasreen among those weighing in with their views.
Abdullah said no one had the right to question her decision. “Who are any of us to question @ZairaWasimmm’s choices? It’s her life to do with as she pleases. All I will do is wish her well & hope that whatever she does makes her happy,” he tweeted. Surjewala said while he respected Wasim’s decision to quit films and her creative liberty, faith had nothing to do with artistic expression. “Such remarks give fodder to bigots on either side of the divide to misconceive & mislead,” he wrote on Twitter.
His party colleague Milind Deora tweeted: “Phoneys suddenly lecturing on #ZairaWaseem & #NusratJahan. I have Hindu & Jain friends who renounced cushy careers for their gurus & faith. You can choose whether religion determines your career or love life. Unless minors, let others decide for themselves.”
In a series of posts, Shiv Sena’s Chaturvedi, however, said while everyone had the right to practise their faith, it “should not be used to sound intolerant to career choices, which it clearly isn’t”. “This actually does a huge disservice to her religion & reinforces the narrative about Islam being intolerant.” Actor Raveena Tandon accused Wasim of being ungrateful to an industry that gave her opportunities. — PTI
‘Why question’
Who are any of us to question her choices? It’s her life. I wish her well & hope whatever she does makes her happy.— Omar Abdullah, ex-CM‘It is a tragedy’
It’s a tragedy that an 18-year-old has to take a decision like that… There is a certain amount of tilt that has gone into it.— Anupam Kher, actor
