Zaira Wasim Quits Acting, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon And Many More Bollywood Celebs React
B'Town Received Zaira's Decision With Surprise And Remorse!
Updated : July 02, 2019 05:58 PM IST
Actress Zaira Wasim who shot to fame after featuring in the Aamir Khan starrer Dangal has decided to quit her Bollywood career and has left the celebrities of film industry surprised but they feel that her decision should be respected. Bollywood actors like Raza Murad, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Tanushree Dutta, Daisy Shah, unanimously said that Zaira's decision to quit celluloid world was her personal and praised Secret Superstar actor for the stellar performance she did in two of her films. Television actors like Karanvir Bohra and Rithvik Dhanjani too have come out in support of the actress. However, there have been people who have slammed her for her decision. The ravishing Raveena Tandon and acclaimed writer Taslima Nasreen didn’t quite take her decision in a nice light.
Zaira Wasim Quits Acting, Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon And Many More Bollywood Celebs React
Take a look at how each of these celebs reacted to her decision!
The Director of Zaira's debut film Dangal - Nitesh Tiwari reacted to her decision saying it was the shocker of his life. Quipped he, “I read about it in this afternoon, and it came as a shock to me. This was unexpected, but at the end of the day, it is her life and she has the right to lead it the way she [deems fit],” Nitesh revealed in a conversation with mid-day.
P.S. : I appeal to everyone to now leave her alone and respect the fact that she is just a 16 yr old girl trying her best to deal with life." (sic)
Ace actor Anupam Kher in a media interaction reacted to her decision saying, "I think it's a tragedy that a 16-17-year-old girl has to take a decision like that. I do respect her sentiments, I do respect that it's her individual choice. But as a person, I feel sad that she had to take a decision like this about her flourishing career." He further said, "She is most welcome to take her decision. She is an independent girl and our country gives everybody the fundamental right to choose what they want to choose...I felt sad when I read that. I felt that somewhere, she had to take that decision. It is not her decision."
Tanushree Dutta, who created an uproar and was also the harbinger of the #MeToo movement in our part of the country, said: "As I read her full post, I couldn't help but wonder if Zaira's true calling in life is, in fact, to be a young spiritual leader of some sort guiding young Muslims to the true knowledge of Allah and Quran."
She said if Zaira steps out to show the true mystical wisdom to the world, she would find a follower in her. "In today's times, many young minds are getting corrupted through fanaticism and aggressive violent ideologies. Can Zaira be the voice of reason and show the world the true mystical and graceful wisdom of the Quran? If she does, she surely has one follower in me," added Dutta.
She continued, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have this kid start a YouTube blog sharing her faith? Clearly, her understanding and grasp on religion is far superior to what I have seen so far among seasoned clerics even. Perhaps it is due to her youthful innocence and I pray it remains that way and she receives more grace and wisdom from the almighty to share with others!"
Tanushree, however, lashed out at those criticising her decision.
"And now for the people who are criticising her decision to quit Bollywood, I will say that she is only a teenager. Let her do what her heart calls her towards at this moment and who knows maybe someday if she finds something worth her time she may even do something in Bollywood again. Best wishes and loads of love," she said.
Hugely acclaimed Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen took to Twitter to write, "Oh My Goosebumps! Bollywood's talented actress Zaria Wasim now wants to quit acting because she thinks her acting career almost destroyed her faith in Allah. What a moronic decision! So many talents in Muslim community are forced to go under the darkness of the burqa."
Actress Kangana Ranaut's sister Rangoli Chandel who has always been vocal about issues took to her official social media to state, "People should stop lashing out at Zaira Wasim and try and understand her inner conflicts, what is a kid supposed to do if a religion forbids you from singing, dancing, imitating or depicting life? Rather than bullying her we must understand her dilemma. In Hinduism especially Bhakti is all filled with devotional songs and dances, Kathak was a dance form for temples, Mugals brought it to darbars. We need to understand in Hinduism we need not follow any God we can form a God of our choice which is called Isht Devta which means Personal God, today’s day and age we need to personalise religion and not follow what was established thousands years ago."
Veteran actor Raza Murad accepted her decision but said that relating her decision with religion is totally unreasonable. He asserted, "It is totally her decision to quit the field and we must respect it. But relating it to her religion is unreasonable. All the Islamic countries in the world where Islamic laws are followed including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, Iran, and Afghanistan, etc., have female news readers, actors," he said.
He recalled working with late Farookh Sheikh and said, "Farookh Sheikh acted in films without compromising with his prayers. So, these things go hand in hand."
"Sania Mirza is also religious who keeps 'Roza', prays and she has elevated India's name to great heights through tennis," he added.
"The real reason behind Zaira's decision is known only to her. Maybe people advised her or maybe she wouldn't be at peace with her mind. If she wishes to walk on the path of religion, she is totally free to do so," he said.
Actress Raveena Tandon took to her Twitter handle to express her views. She tweeted, "Doesn’t matter if two film olds are ungrateful to the industry that have given them all. Just wish they’d exit gracefully and keep their regressive views to themselves."
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Actor Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub who was recently seen in the Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Article 15 stated, "She is a very good actor and I feel if she does not want to work then it will be a loss to the industry. The day before I had got a call from someone, who was telling me that it’s not her decision… But I really don’t know any more than that. Also, I am not in India right now and could only finish reading the first two pages of her post."
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, who is currently busy shooting for Saaho, didn't say much but blessed Zaira for her future journey. "I just wish her all the very best because I don't comment on anything religious or political." he said.
Director Hansal Mehta said, "Zaira came into the industry very early, and it’s not an easy place. There is a lot of pressure. She has eventually made a choice, and we have to respect it. We turn to religion as a means of solace. One has to also look at things beyond… her decision to quit might be driven by pressure, by her own state of mind. Hopefully this will give her peace and help her focus on her life in a better way."
Actor Daisy Shah preferred to remain silent on the issue. She said, "I can't comment because it's a very serious topic. The only thing that matters here is how hard you work towards your goal".
Actress turned director Pooja Bhatt who never had any qualms speaking out her mind reacted to Zaira's decision stating, "Zaira should be given her space to choose from. She acted, she entertained us, it was wonderful. Now she chooses not to, so wish her well and wish her peace. I hope she finds what she is seeking. But whether it was childish of her to take such a decision or made this choice out of some pressure or influence, it is all under speculation."
TV actor Ritvik Dhanjani said, "I think she is a very good actor and shouldn't have quit acting, she's amazing!"
Another TV actor Karanvir Bora praised Zaira for her performances and said, "God bless her for whatever she is doing in life. She is more intelligent and she might have taken this step after giving it a thought. She will anyway be accepted once she comes back because she has proved herself her metal."
Producer Siddharth Roy Kapoor stated, "Zaira is an exceptional artiste and we are lucky to have had her play Aisha Chaudhury in our film, ‘The Sky Is Pink’. She has been a complete professional all through the shoot of the film, which concluded earlier this month. This is a purely personal decision, which she has taken after much thought and we will be supportive of her in every way – now and always."
Filmmaker and social activist Ashoke Pandit feels that any form of art brings a person closer to God. He elaborated, "As a performer, I believe that very few are endowed with the gift of art. Everybody can't be an actor. I don't have any problem if you want to retire. However, don't connect it with religion," he told a media outlet. He further added, "If you think your career is not going the way you want, then you can retire but don't say that you are going away from God due to acting," he added.
Speaking about her Instagram post where she mentioned that she is a proud Muslim and happy that she has many followers from Pakistan, he said, "But nowhere does she mention that she is a proud Indian too." Expressing concern if she is being pressurised to leave acting, Pandit said, "If you are pressurised either from Pakistan or any terrorist organisation from Kashmir to leave this field, then come out in open and speak about it but don't give it a religious connotation."
Actor Nikhil Dwivedi reacted stating, " Ofcourse we will judge. We have a mind to do so. Democracy demands from us that we don’t come in the way of her decisions & none shall. But having an opinion & judging? that’s different and we will!! As all thinking minds should judge everything! #ZairaWasim."
Film director, producer and screenwriter Vivek Agnihotri said, "She’s an independent individual, who is cutting her wings, shackling herself, it’s a dangerous trend. This is more than regressive.I believe it’s time for all progressive Muslims to come out and condemn this. All top Muslim stars must condemn it. If you really find peace by quitting arts, then you need to save lives of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman and Aamir, there’s no peace in their lives, or the hundreds of Muslims in the field of art and culture."
Director Onir who has made internationally acclaimed films also took to his Twitter handle and said, "It’s someone’s right to choose what profession one finds happiness in. Wish the decision did not have to be accompanied with a sermon on “good way of life” #ZairaWasim. The opposite is a huge struggle for many who are prevented to make the choice citing the idea as anti religion."
Zaira's decision to quit acting was received with surprise and remorse even by the people from different walks of life. Some say that Zaira's decision should be respected if taken out of choice, while others feel disappointed if she has taken the decision due to any threat or fatwa. However, many others think that this could merely be a publicity stunt as her film The Sky is Pink is scheduled to release on October 11. Zaira shot into eminence due to her stellar performance in Dangal movie.
Talking about Zaira's Instagram post where she talks about 'Allah' and 'Quran,' Abha Singh, a women activist, said, "My worry is whether this girl has been threatened because she comes from Kashmir."
"I don't go by what she has written. There is much more than what meets the eye. It is difficult to believe an 18-year-old child writing a letter, where she talks of philosophical things," Singh told a media agency
On June 30, Zaira took to her social media handle and posted a long post about her decision to quit Bollywood. The 18-year-old actress said she is not happy with her current line of work, which has silently and unconsciously transitioned her "out of Imaan". Take a look at the post -
The actor will be seen in an important role in The Sky is Pink, which also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar. The shooting of the film was completed in March.