Bollywood's links with Pakistan's ISI exposed: Details here
What's the story
With Bollywood being scrutinized, now more than ever after the tragic demise of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, alleged links between celebrities and ISI, the notorious spy agency of Pakistan, have become the talking point.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also asked the industry to come clean.
The allegations, however, aren't frivolous as pictures of some stars with rumored ISI agents have surfaced.
Context
First, a bit about the criticism Bollywood is receiving
The glamorous universe was slammed after Sushant, a charming actor, allegedly took his life last month. Despite being associated with successful movies in his short-lived career, he was sidelined by the "A-list camp".
Subsequently, issues like bullying, favoritism, Bollywood's penchant for not crediting writers, got attention.
When the surface was scratched even more, the scandalous dark side of the industry got attention.
Beginning
A Twitter user started the conversation
The controversy started after a Twitter user Al iskandar posted a series of tweets about Tony Ashai, a Kashmiri based in the United States, who has been allegedly instigating the youth of the Valley to pick up arms against India.
Al quoted a tweet by Ashai where he lamented how resident Kashmiris aren't "doing enough," despite the diaspora outside "working for the cause."
Twitter Post
Al highlighted the hypocrisy in Ashai's tweets
Thread:- 👇
— Al iskandar (@TheSkandar) July 21, 2020
Look who is talking the man @tonyashai (Aka Aziz Ashai) who himself is sitting in the cozy rooms of California and provoking Kashmiri Youth to Pick-up Stones and Guns while his own Son Bilal Ashai recently graduated from Los Angeles @USC with Masters Degree.
1/n 👇 pic.twitter.com/WB8wcQ5IeL
Details
A JKLF member, Ashai is on ISI payroll: Twitter user
In the consequent tweets, Al revealed Ashai is a member of Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) outfit and his son (Bilal Ashai), is a member of MSA, that has connections with Muslim Brotherhood.
"Aziz Ashai (Tony Ashai) is on the payroll of ISI, who is in touch with many people in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country," his tweet read.
Architect
Ashai, a fan of Imran Khan, worked with SRK
In one clip that Al shared, Ashai's brother Arthur was seen bullying a person for saying "Modi zindabad."
A California-based architect, Ashai completed his architecture course from Chandigarh and then obtained a Master's Degree from US. On his Twitter account, he praises Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Al also revealed Ashai has worked closely with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri.
Do you know?
"SRK is a patriot, but he is feeding a snake"
Al claimed SRK used a lot of Ashai's "infrastructure brains," and Ashai worked on Gauri's projects as well. "SRK is a patriot person himself who is not aware of the Snake-like Tony Ashai whom he is feeding for his business projects, (sic)" one tweet read.
Twitter Post
Here is the complete thread
The Gesture of Tony Ashai with Prime Minister Niyazi says it all.
— Al iskandar (@TheSkandar) July 21, 2020
Aziz Ashai (Tony Ashai) is on payroll of ISI, who is in touch with many people in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
7/7
✊ pic.twitter.com/0tbMcSGOpq
Connections
Ashai not the only controversial figure having links with Bollywood
Reacting on the thread, Twitter users dug out old pictures of Bollywood stars with anti-India propagandists, including Aneel Mussarat.
A London-based businessman, Mussarat, has close ties with celebrities. As per a report in GeoNews, filmmaker Karan Johar hosted his daughter's wedding reception in 2017.
It was attended by Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, and Suniel Shetty.
Twitter Post
A clip of Akshay Kumar and Mussarat also surfaced
Canadian Actor Akshay Kumar
— Troll Salman Khan Haters (@TSKH_official) July 22, 2020
shares link with ISI Agent Annel Mussarat. Earlier he also played the role of Terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in his movie OUATIMD.
Such Bollywood Mafia must be Exposed #BollywoodPakISILink pic.twitter.com/a0vVo9VY6Z
Events
Organizer of Bollywood's events also nurtures anti-India sentiments
Another name that has figured in social media is Rehan Siddiqui, who is believed to be close to some Bollywood personalities.
He is known for organizing international concerts featuring Bollywood stars. Last year, celebrities like Udit Narayan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Salman Khan were sent a notice regarding the said concerts. Reportedly, most of them replied that they had canceled the events.
Reaction
Bollywood gets money from Pakistan-operated mafia: Baijayant Panda
As this controversy raged, BJP's National Vice-President Baijayant Panda today said that Bollywood receives funding from mafia operating in Pakistan.
"It looks like these connections still exist. Friends of many celebrities have pictures with Pakistan's generals and ISI. They should renounce such links," Panda told ANI.
Meanwhile, Ashai tweeted that he would drag journalists, alleging his links with ISI, to US courts.
Twitter Post
It's a conspiracy theory: Ashai
This conspiracy theory that Indian media is peddling about me being an ISI agent is baseless. These journalists either put out a proof or apologize unconditionally. Short of that you will be sued individually in US Courts and will have to prove it there.
— Tony Ashai (@tonyashai) July 23, 2020