'Can't reach my baby Zaira Wasim,' says 'The Sky Is Pink' director Shonali Bose on the abolition of Article 370

By Tanmayi Savadi

on August 19, 2019

The current Indian Government took the nation by surprise, both positive and negative after the announced the abolition of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Soon after the decision came out in the public earlier this month, the nation was clearly divided as to whether the step taken was beneficial or a curse to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, members of tinsel town too had varied opinions, with some, including the director of the upcoming film The Sky Is Pink, Shonali Bose coming out in the open to discuss them. Shonali spoke about her opinion on the removal of Article 370 on her Instagram account and expressed concern over not being able to get through actress Zaira Wasim, who plays the lead role in her directorial. The director said she hasn't known anyone from the mountains apart from her 'baby' Zaira, who had an intuition of something wrong a while before the Article was scrapped.

In her lengthy note, Shonali slammed the decision and said it is not her India. She added that the manner through which Article 370 was nullified in Jammu and Kashmir, is unconstitutional. She went on to say that the government has crossed every line with its draconian measures. Talking more about Zaira, she said she spent time with the Dangal actress and her family in the valley. And now, when she needs strength and support, the director is unable to get through. Along with the note, Shonali shared an unseen picture of hers with Zaira.

View this post on Instagram

#NotmyIndia. It has been two weeks since the unprecedented communication blockade of Jammu and Kashmir. My heart is heavy as the sky is dark over India’s democracy right now. My heart has always ached for the terrible human rights violations in the Valley - right from the times of the Congress government in the 90’s. The disappearances and killing of innocent youth is not new. Nor is the opening of fire on demonstrations. But this government has crossed every line with it’s draconian measures. I want to ask every Indian - every Bengali, Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Tamilian et al - how would you feel if your State was split overnight and converted into a Union Territory? Leave Article 370 aside for a moment and answer that honestly. For me the shock and anger at this unconstitutional act is laced with sorrow at how our own people must be feeling in this part of our country. Feelings we can only imagine - as there is still a blackout! On a personal level I have never known anyone before in the State. But now I have a child there. Zaira Wasim - the heart and soul of The Sky is Pink. I have known her and her family over one year - spent marvelous times with them in both Srinagar and Jammu. I was with them in Jammu just a day before this happened. Zaira was very worried that something terrible was afoot because of the sudden influx of massive troops. I reassured her not dreaming something so draconian and unprecedented could be carried out. And since then I’m besides myself with worry at not being able to reach her. To give her strength at this difficult time. To wish them Eid Mubarak. I’m sure they couldn’t celebrate it. We parted with the promise to stay in touch every day. Echoing a promise she and her brother make to each other in the film in a brilliantly acted and moving scene. But I can’t reach my baby right now. #NotmyIndia

A post shared by Shonali Bose (@shonalibose_) on Aug 17, 2019 at 10:16pm PDT

For the unversed, after the abolition of Article 370, in order to prevent riots, the government had imposed Section 144 in the valley, as a result of which internet and mobile services had been suspended. Public gatherings had also been banned. Now, after several days, schools have finally opened in the valley. For those caught unaware, Article 370 gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status but after the removal, the valley is declared as a Union Territory and shall share the same privileges as other states.

Speaking of The Sky Is Pink, apart from Zaira, it features Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar and Rohit Saraf. It is scheduled to release on October 11, 2019.

(Source: Instagram)