LAHORE - Celebrated Indian film and stage artiste, Om Puri has said that windows between the two countries have been opened and now the doors should also be opened, relatives living in two countries should not face difficulties in meeting each other.
He expressed these views while talking to media after a luncheon hosted by PML-Q top leaders, Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi at their residence on Sunday.
Puri said that the love and affection he received from Chaudharys, would distributed amongst his countrymen when he crosses back.
“I do not see the hatred reflected in the newspapers here. Live and let live formula should be implemented.” While expressing his interest in Pakistani movies, Puri said that if he was ever offered movies like ‘Khuda Key Liye’ and ‘Bol’ he will definitely participate.
Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz while welcoming the Indian film actor said that mutual differences should be resolved peacefully and people of the two countries should be brought closer.
Famous journalist Mawahid Hussain Syed was also present at the occasion.
They said what Om Puri was doing to bring the people closer, should have been done by embassies of the two countries.
Earlier, talking at Meet the Press at Lahore Press Club on Sunday, Om Puri lauded the hospitality of Lahorites, saying that he is returning to India with a lot of love from Pakistanis with him.
Puri, who was on visit of Lahore, said that he had wish to come to Lahore which God had fulfilled. He said that the people of India and Pakistan wanted to see each others but due to visa issues could not do so. He said there was no need of visa for European people for visiting various countries of Europe but India and Pakistan were facing visa problems. He said that the rulers should make the process easy. He said he had watched Pakistani movies and was impressed by Pakistani artistes.
Puri said they celebrated various festivals like Eid, Christmas, Deewali, Besakhi and others in order to develop secular ideology among the children. To a question regarding upcoming elections in India, he said that the decision rest with the will of the masses. However, he thought that Rahul Gandgi was not mature enough to be made prime minister. He said he should become a minister first in order to gain experience. He said Aam Aadmi Party had surprised everyone in state elections.
He said that Muslims of Gujrat were happy and progressing now. He said in past there were riots but no such incident had occurred since last 15 years.
Later on, Lahore press club president Arshad Ansari announced life membership for veteran artiste for his services in field of art and film.