Zee-owned Zindagi channel may ban all Pakistani shows, says chairman Subhash Chandra
Zee Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra
Dr Subhash Chandra, Chairman of the Zee Media Network and Rajya Sabha MP, on Friday said that his company is planning to stop the telecast of all Pakistani shows on their television channel ‘Zindagi’.
Resonating the sentiments of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) political party, the businessman also asked the actors from the neighbouring country to leave India.
Chandra’s decision comes in the wake of the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the UN General Assembly, days before militants killed 18 soldiers in Kashmir’s Uri.
While every other nation showed solidarity to India following the attack, the Pakistan PM chose to glorify late militant Burhan Wani. The speech was slammed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Chandra took to his micro-blogging account to announce his decision. He tweeted, “unfortunate stance of Mia Sharif at UN. Zee is considering stopping Zindgi programs from Pak,as well artists from there should leave”
Dr Subhash Chandra’s tweet
The television channel ‘Zindagi’ primarily airs Hindi and Urdu shows from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey. The channel launched with three of the biggest shows from Pakistan, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Aunn Zara and Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti
Some of the shows even feature Fawad Khan, who has since then made a foray into Bollywood and will be seen next in Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.
The channel, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL), has gained immense popularity over the last year and is now a favorite among Indian housewives and families.
On Friday, the MNS had also given Pakistani artistes 48 hours time to leave the country in the wake of the attacks. The party had also threatened to stop the release of films like ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Raees’, which starred Pakistani actors Fawad and Mahira Khan respectively.
