Akbar Khan objects to Naqvi's comments on Feroz controversy

Mumbai, May 1 (UNI) Filmmaker Akbar Khan has described the comments of BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, terming his actor brother Feroz Khan as the only nationalist in the film industry delegation touring Pakistan as a ''cheap political intervention''.

Talking to UNI over telephone from Karachi, Mr Khan said Mr Naqvi should have cross checked his facts before making an unneccessary comment out of ulterior motives.

Mr Naqvi has been reported in a section of the media as stating that Feroz Khan was the only nationalist in the delegation. He regretted that other members of the delegation had apologised for Feroz's remarks about the condition of Muslims in Pakistan.

Commenting on the BJP leader's remarks, Mr Khen said his brother's comments were just a slip of the tongue and he bore no ill feeling towards the hosts. ''The comments were exaggerated and blown out of proportion in India where there was no first hand information available. However,the Pakistani media have chosen to ignore the innocent remarks and did not endorse them,'' he informed.

When asked why his brother was packed off to Dubai after the incident, Akbar said, ''Feroz was not a kid to be packed off. He was not feeling well and said he could not accompany us to Karachi so he went to Dubai on his own and to return home.'' Mr Khan said he is planning to write to BJP leadership against Mr Naqvi's irresponsible comments. ''It was during Mr Vajpayee's tenure that Indo-Pak relations received a boost. BJP leaders like Shatrughan Sinha would do BJP more better than people like Naqvi,'' Mr Khan said angrily.

Mr Shatrughan Sinha, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and noted actor, is accompanying Mr Akbar khan in Pakistan.

Mr Khan said his film ''Taj Mahal'' was receiving overwhelming response from the people in Pakistan. ''Since we landed here, we have received honours and receptions. I have received excellent reports about audience response to the film from different parts of the country,'' he said.

UNI MR MAZ PR RN2042