LAHORE - Jamshed Mahmood popular called Jami, the director of the Pakistani movie Moor that was nominated for Oscars and many film festivals across the world, was interrogated by police in Palm Springs, California, USA for using the words ‘ISIS’, ‘Afghanistan’ and ‘Pakistan’ in his conversation with a couple of friends, The Nation has learnt. The Nation was the first to report the story yesterday. The incident took place after the screening of his movie Moor. He with his friends, one of whom was an American pilot of a commercial flight, were having conversation about his next film project at Coffee and Beans. They were discussing the script when people overhearing the mention of words ‘ISIS’, ‘Pakistan’ and ‘Afghanistan’ called the police.
Talking to The Nation Jami said it was all a misunderstanding. ‘I was with Shah, Hameed Sheikh and an American friend discussing the script for our next movie. The words ISIS, Pakistan and Afghanistan words were used in the conversation. I asked everyone to avoid these words before we get in trouble. But by that time someone had overheard us and called the police,’ the director explained.
‘The police looked at our documents, took pictures and asked the purpose of our visit. We explained the whole scenario after which they let us go. I know they were just doing their job as things are on high alert in USA. Thank God I was not in New York otherwise things would have been bad. Our American friend started crying because he knew that his career would be at stake now because he was sitting with us.’ Jami said.
When asked if he had faced anything like this earlier in America, he said he had visited US before but things were not like this. ‘About eight years ago I had decided to shift my family to US but later I thought no I’ll stay in Pakistan. Today I feel my decision was right. Speeches of (Donald) Trump have actually started making an impact,’ he said. ‘I never thought such a day would come when we won’t be able to speak even the name of Pakistan in USA. Everyone from the family was being very careful of using the word Pakistan. It is all absurd the way things are going here in USA,’ Jami was of the view. The event has triggered a mixed reaction in the Pakistan film and entertainment industry with most celebrities and people condemning the incident and sympathizing with Jami while other criticized the way things are changing in USA and resentment against Pakistan and Muslims is increasing. Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid was shocked. ‘My god! America is paranoid!’ she messaged to Jami. Nadeem Mandviwalla the producer of film Moor said the movie was being screened in a number of festivals. ‘What happened was bad. The Americans feel insecure and therefore there are overprotected by the state. I believe the cops must have had a good laugh after investigating the matter,’ he said.