New Delhi: Iranian actor Mandana Karimi claimed on Thursday that her outspoken political views on the unrest in her homeland have cost her work in Bollywood. After publicly supporting the US and Israel in the ongoing conflict and criticising the Khamenei regime, she claims the Hindi film industry has started viewing her as “too political,” with some even labelling her “crazy” for “supporting a war”.
“Ever since I started to speak up about the issue and protest against Iran’s current regime, I have lost friends in Mumbai and work as well. Brands don’t want to work with me because my social media page is ‘too political.’ Work has dried up,” Karimi told ThePrint, without naming anyone
But the former Big Boss 9 finalist’s problem is not just with fewer work opportunities. She has been receiving death threats, too. Calls and messages from unknown numbers have given her sleepless nights.
“I considered India as my home, and it breaks my heart. Forget the support; now no one wants to get associated with me professionally. I have been getting death threats for supporting the US and Israel,” she said.
Following the threats, she had to leave her Mumbai house in Bandra. “They know my address as well.. So I moved to a safe house for now,” Karimi said, adding that she just wants to go back home now.
“I am waiting for our king to announce that the people of Iran can take back their country, and I’ll be on the next flight,” she added.
‘Not worried about work’
Karimi was just 18 when she left Iran and moved to India, settling in Mumbai in 2000. She rose to popularity after participating in Bigg Boss 9, where she finished as the second runner-up, becoming the first and only foreign national to make it to the Top 3 in the history of the reality show. Karimi has also appeared in Hindi films such as Roy (2015), alongside Ranbir Kapoor, and Bhaag Johnny (2015) with Kunal Kemmu. Karimi is confident she will eventually find work.
“I am not worried about work, honestly. I am an Iranian, I know how to get work. I have the talent; I will get it eventually. But right now, my people are more important to me. Speaking out for them, even at my cost, is my priority,” Karimi said. “Between fame and being a good human being, I choose the latter.”
She spoke about how she was “heartbroken and disappointed” when none of her industry friends, even Iranian actors like Elnaaz Norouzi, didn’t show any interest in organising a candlelight march in Mumbai to condemn the Rasht massacre earlier this year.
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‘Iranians not crazy to be happy about war’
The Rasht massacre refers to a mass killing of protesters and civilians in the northern Iranian city of Rasht on January 8 and 9. More than 36,500 Iranian citizens were killed—one of the deadliest protest massacres.
She said that the Mumbai government didn’t permit her to host a silent protest against the mass killings by Iranian security forces.
However, she highlighted, people in Lucknow, Kashmir and other parts of India were given permission to hold a protest against the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“They don’t know what they are protesting against,” Karimi said, appealing to the women protesting Khamenei’s killing.
“You have no idea what Iranian women have been experiencing for the last 40 years. If we get out of our house, there is no guarantee that we will go back safely. We are not allowed to sing, dance, drive a car, or even walk freely.”
Karimi, whose family resides in Iran, says Iranians are not “crazy to be happy about a war.” But, it speaks about the agony the entire nation, especially women, were facing.
“We were dying anyway, a little bit daily. So it’s better to die for our country’s freedom,” Karimi said.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)