MUMBAI: Veteran Indian actress Hema Malini stirred controversy by refusing to opine on whether or not Pakistani artists should be allowed to stay in India or not and rather appreciated their work.

Hema Malini drew similarities between Indian and Pakistani artists but refused to comment on whether Pakistani artistes should be allowed to work in the country or not.

“I don’t want to comment much on this controversial question. But all I can say is that we are artistes and so are those who come from there (Pakistan) to perform here,” she said. “As an artiste, I can appreciate their work. But whether they should stay here or not, I can’t comment,” she commented further.

Pakistani artistes in India came under attack after the series of crossfire at Line of Control and two attacks in Occupied Kashmir.