Srinagar: National Award-winning actor Zaira Wasim decision Sunday to ‘disassociate’ from Bollywood has divided opinion on social media.
In a detailed Facebook post that she later shared on other social media platforms, Wasim, who shot to prominence in the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, justified her decision, writing that the Indian film industry’s work environment “consistently interfered with my imaan (faith)” and threatened her relationship with her religion.
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, was among those who backed the decision. “Who are any of us to question @ZairaWasimmm’s choices? It’s her life to do with as she pleases. All I will do is wish her well & hope that what ever she does makes her happy.”
Former actress and current Congress leader, Nagma Morarji, also came out in support of Wasim’s decision. She tweeted, “#ZairaWasim is a courageous girl who defied stereotypes & shined through. We must appreciate her courage & stand with her in her moment of crisis @ZairaWasimmm you hv our support . We love you for work you did and your spirit keep it alive. Wish you well and want u to be happy.”
Also read: Dangal actor Zaira Wasim says Bollywood leading her away from faith, quits acting
IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal wrote, “I always respected @ZairaWasimmm’s decision to be an actor. Perhaps no other Kashmiri has achieved such an iconic status, such success and fame, at such a young age. And today, as she quit the industry, I have no choice but to respect her decision. Wish her luck.”
Critics slam decision
Wasim also faced flak in equal measure.
Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen termed Wasim’s decision as another instance of a “talent from the Muslim community” being “forced to go under the darkness of the burqa”.
“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,” she tweeted.
The controversial Tarek Fatah shared a link of a news story abut Wasim and wrote, “Dangal’ star Zaira Wasim quits Bollywood. Claims her relationship with Islam was threatened. What next Zaira? A burka or a niqab?”
Manager caught unaware
Wasim’s decision, however, appears to have caught her New Delhi-based manager by surprise.
Wasim’s manager, Tuhin Mishra, initially told ThePrint that the news about Wasim quitting Bollywood was “incorrect” and that her social media accounts had been hacked.
“The news of her quitting Bollywood is incorrect. Her accounts have been hacked,” Mishra said when contacted on his phone. “We are looking into the matter.”
Also read: Bollywood threatened my relationship with Islam: What Zaira Wasim wrote in her open letter
He later, however, said he was still looking into the matter. “We are still looking into the matter. At the moment we cant say much but our team is trying the ascertain what had happened,” Mishra said.
Wasim did not receive calls made to her mobile neither did she respond to messages sent by ThePrint.