Bollywood actor Zaira Wasim who rose to fame after her debut Film ‘Dangal’ with Aamir Khan and was applauded for her terrific performance in ‘Secret Superstar’ recently took to social media to announce her ‘disassociation with the field’.
In the post she shared on all her social media profiles, the Kashmir-born actor went on to say that ‘though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here.’ She reasoned her exit from Bollywood for not happy with ‘this identity’ and line of work. She claimed the environment damaged her peace, ‘imaan’ and her relationship with Allah.
Her lengthy post did not go well with many and sparked a line of reactions from eminent personalities and B-town celebs. While some applauded her ‘maturity’ and ‘choice’ others termed her views ‘regressive’.
Raveena Tandon slammed Wasim and schooled her saying she should keep her regressive views to herself.
https://twitter.com/TandonRaveena/status/1145327226490982400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1145327226490982400&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news18.com%2Fnews%2Fmovies%2Fraveena-tandon-takes-jibe-at-two-film-olds-zaira-wasim-says-just-wish-theyd-exit-gracefully-2211151.html
She went on to add-
I standby and love my industry,all the opportunities it gives to everyone. Exit is your choice,reason,by all means.Just do not demean it for everyone else.The industry where all work shoulder to shoulder,no differences,caste,religion or where you come from. #Respect #indianfilms https://t.co/hRJKTfI9J8
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) June 30, 2019
The former CM of J&K, Omar Abdullah also commented on her post and lauded her 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.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 30, 2019
Her decision didn’t go well will Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri who questioned ‘the book’ that orders an individual to quit ‘ARTS’ to make peace with Allah.
Of course @_sabanaqvi we must not judge choices of #ZairaWasim but in the age of Artifical Intelligence we must question the book that orders an individual to quit ‘ARTS’ to make peace with Allah. https://t.co/GTxWsqVwCU
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) July 1, 2019
Scholars, activists and some eminent personalities respected her choice.
Saba Naqvi of ‘In Good Faith’, actor Iqbal Khan, director Onir, stand-up comic Abijit Ganguly were among others who shared their opinions on Zaira’s exit from the film industry:
Who on earth are we to judge #ZairaWasim and her choices..a spiritual path works for many people…May she find the peace she seeks with Allah.
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) June 30, 2019
#ZairaWasim wants to quit,what's the big deal,Her choice .. May be what she was doing was wrong and she doesn't wanna do it.. I'm an actor,im not doing anything worng,doesn't stop me from practicing Islam Alhumdulillah.
— Iqbal Khan (@Miqbalkhan) June 30, 2019
It's someone's right to choose what profession one finds happiness in. Wish the decision did not have to be accompanied with a sermon on "good way of life" #ZairaWasim .The opposite is a huge struggle for many who are prevented to make the choice citing the idea as anti religion
— Onir (@IamOnir) June 30, 2019
I was thinking Zaira Wasim should see this beautiful movie highlighting how no religion or family pressure should stop a child from doing what makes them creatively happy. What was the name of that movie. Arre Haan, Secret Superstar.
Oh wait, who was in that movie again?— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) July 1, 2019
With a mixed bag of opinions from Twitter, we must hope Zaira does what’s best for her.
To each their own!