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New Delhi: Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan has found himself at the centre of a storm. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a public notice urging the Love Aaj Kal 2 actor to immediately withdraw from an upcoming event in Houston, USA.
The programme in question is Azadi Utsav – The Indian Independence Day. It is reportedly being organised by a Pakistani-owned establishment, Aga’s Restaurant and Catering, and has raised serious concerns over a possible violation of national directives.
According to FWICE, the same organisers are also promoting a Jashn-e-Azadi concert featuring Pakistani singer Atif Aslam. They will effectively celebrate both Indian and Pakistani Independence Days under the same banner. This dual allegiance, the federation claimed, "creates a conflict of interest" and is "deeply hurtful to national sentiment," especially in light of Pakistan's alleged role in recent terror attacks.
In an official letter dated August 2, FWICE General Secretary Ashok Dubey reminded Kartik that the Indian film industry continues to enforce a strict boycott of Pakistani artists, technicians, and performers. The directive is supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B). It also remains in force and has been reiterated in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and tourists.
While acknowledging Kartik’s clean public image and influential position in Indian cinema, the letter took a firm stance. “Your association with an event hosted by a Pakistani-owned entity, even if unintentional, is in direct conflict with these directives… We strongly urge you to immediately withdraw your participation from this event," it read.
In an exclusive interview with TV9, Ashok stated, “We have tried reaching Kartik and his manager, but no reply.”
FWICE, however, left some room for the benefit of doubt, suggesting the actor may not have been fully aware of the organiser’s background. But should that not be the case, the federation warned the matter would then carry “even greater concern.”
