PTI
Mumbai
Superstar Aamir Khan has come out in support of his “Dangal” co-star Zaira Wasim following her Facebook apology that she posted after being trolled for meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The 51-year-old actor said Wasim, who shot to fame with her portrayal of the younger version of Geeta Phogat, is a role model for him even as he appealed people to “leave her alone”.
“I have read Zaira's statement, and I can understand and imaging what lead her to make that statement. Zaira, I want you to know that we are all with you.
“The beauty is that bright, young, talented, hardworking, respectful, caring and courageous kids like you are role model for kids not only in India, but across the world. You certainly are role model for me! May god bless you. Love Aamir,” he posted on Twitter.
“PS: I appeal to everyone to now leave her alone and respect the fact that she is just a 16 year old girl trying her best to deal with life,” he added.
16-year-old Zaira yesterday posted an apology for “offending” and “unintentionally hurting” people after her meeting with Mehbooba kicked up a row.
She replaced her first post with another one, asking people not to blow the issue out of proportion but deleted this post too.
Wasim also denounced her performance in the movie, saying she should not be looked up as a “role model”.
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Bollywood celebs come out in support of Zaira
MUMBAI: After Aamir Khan backed his “Dangal” co-star Zaira Wasim, who has been trolled for meeting J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, celebrities like Anupam Kher, Shraddha Kapoor, Javed Akhtar and Swara Bhaskar came out in her support.
Wasim, who shot to fame for her stellar performance in the blockbuster, was unwittingly caught up in controversy over her meeting with Mufti in the backdrop of the unrest in the Valley.
The 16-year-old child star first posted an apology for “offending” and “unintentionally hurting” people after her meeting with Mehbooba kicked up a row and trolled online but later deleted the post. She then posted again, asking everyone not to blow the issue out of proportion but deleted the post too.
The stars reacted to the controversy on Twitter, calling it an act of “shame” that a kid has to apologise for her success.
“Dear @zairawasim! Ur apology letter is sad but full of courage. It exposes the cowardice of people who made you write it. But you are my #RoleModel,” Kher tweeted.
Veteran lyricist Akhtar said, “Those who shout AZADI from the roof tops don't give an iota of AZADI to others. Poor Zaira Waseem had to apologies for her success Shame!” Swara posted, “To those demanding #Azadi in #Kashmir. U seem fundamentally undemocratic, bigoted n incapable of respecting any1 else's freedom #ZairaWasim.” “#ZairaWasim, I LOVED you and everything to do with Dangal. You worked hard, it showed and I look up to you. Keep shining, keep dreaming,” Shraddha said.
Singer Sonu Nigam tweeted, “May God give Sanity to this World. And a Bigger Perspective of Humanity beyond Religion and Patriotism. #ZairaWasim.” Actress Preity Zinta said, “Dear @Zairawasim Welcome to the world of Fame,Judgement and Jealousy! Keep Smiling and Shining little one Love Ur work and U #Sweet16 #Liveurlife.”
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Pressure tactics against Zaira unwarranted: Owaisi
MUMBAI: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said the pressure tactic on Kashmiri teen Zaira Wasim, forcing her to tender an apology over a meeting with J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was “unwarranted and uncalled for”.
Wasim, who played the younger version of Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan's Bollywood blockbuster “Dangal”, had yesterday apologised for “offending” and “unintentionally hurting” people after her meeting with Mufti on Saturday.
“Nobody should be pressurised into doing or not doing something, especially a 16-year-old girl. This is completely unwarranted and uncalled for. This pressure worked on her so much that she was forced to apologise for which there was no need at all,” Owaisi told PTI.
“At the same time, those people, who are showing sympathy for this little child should introspect where did their sympathy disappear when hundreds of such teenagers lost their eyesight or were partially blinded when they were attacked with pellet guns ? Why these double standards ?” he asked.
He said the incident has brought to light people's lack of confidence in the Jammu and Kashmir government.
“This incident has shown clearly how unpopular the BJP-PDP government is in the Kashmir valley. People have no confidence left on this government,” Owaisi said.
Zaira took to social media yesterday and tendered an apology apparently over her meeting with Mufti which drew sharp reactions and trolls from the youth in the valley because of the situation during the last few months.
She also played down her performance in “Dangal”, saying she was “not proud of” what she was doing and added that she was not a role model for the youth of Kashmir and does not want anyone to follow in her footsteps.
