Zaira Wasim, the bright-faced teen star of Dangal got strong support from superstar Aamir Khan on Tuesday, after being trolled on social media for meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Aamir said Zaira, who shot to fame with her portrayal of the younger Geeta Phogat, was a role model for him.
Bollywood personalities Anupam Kher, Shraddha Kapoor, Javed Akhtar, Sonu Nigam, Preity Zinta and Swara Bhaskar also backed her.
Venkaiah’s defence
While Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu defended the actor and wondered why “ultra liberals” were silent on the issue, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said Zaira will be given security, if needed. In his message, Aamir said, “I have read Zaira’s statement, and I can understand and imagine what led her to make that statement. Zaira, I want you to know that we are all with you.”
“The beauty is that bright, young, talented, hard working, respectful, caring and courageous kids like you are role models for kids not only in India, but across the world. You certainly are [a] role model for me! May god bless you. Love, Aamir,” he said on Twitter.
He went on to add, “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.”
Zaira on Monday posted an apology for “offending” and “unintentionally hurting” people after meeting Ms. Mufti. She then replaced her post with another, asking people not to blow the issue out of proportion but deleted that too.
Bollywood called the trolling an act of “shame.” “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,” Anupam Kher tweeted.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the pressure put on her, forcing her to tender an apology, was “unwarranted and uncalled for.”
If needed, security will be provided to Zaira: Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said that the Jammu and Kashmir government is keeping an eye on all the developments related to Zaira, and if needed, security will be provided to the actor.
”...Information we have got from the state government is that they are keeping an eye on the entire episode and whatever necessary step needs to be taken it (state government) will take...and if security is needed, it will provide that security,” Mr. Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jammu on Tuesday evening.
Published - January 18, 2017 01:35 am IST
