Indian cinema association bans Pakistani artists after Pulwama attack

The All Indian Cine Workers Association has announced a complete ban on Pakistani actors and artists in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.

The association released a notification which said that they will take strong action against anyone who works with Pakistani artists.

All Indian Cine Workers Association strongly condemns brutal attack on our soldiers at Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. AICWA stands with the nation in confronting such terror and inhumanity, it read.

"We're officially announcing a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists working in the film industry. Still if any organisation insist on working with Pakistani artists [it] will be banned by AICWA and a strong action will be taken against them. Nation comes first, we stand with our nation,” the notice added.

Actor Ajay Devgn also announced on Monday that his latest film Total Dhamaal will not release in Pakistan. “In light of the current situation, the team of ‘Total Dhamaal’ has decided to not release the film in Pakistan,” Devgn tweeted.

The already sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened over the past week as New Delhi piled blame on Islamabad for the Pulwama attack. Pakistan's leadership has strongly refuted the allegations.

Some 44 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed last week when an explosives-packed van rammed a convoy transporting 2,500 security forces in Pulwama, in the deadliest attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir in 30 years..