HIP Exclusive: Atiqa Odho talks about Laikin and the Indo-Pak relationship

India's latest import Sara Khan has started her second project in Pakistan titled Laikin and guess who is playing the role of her mother....Yes! it's none other than the beauty guru, Atiqa Odho. But guess what? She doesn't seem happy!

Odho recently shared a selfie of herself and Khan on Instagram with a message in the caption:

Shooting a new serial "Laikin" in Karachi for Aplus with guest star Sara Khan from India. I only wish India treated our artists with the same respect as Pakistan has always treated their artists working in our industry. It's a shame that Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan are unable to go back to work in India or unable to promote their upcoming projects due to extremists attacking them and their good image there. Why were they targeted specifically? Because they became high profile stars in India and certain people there obviously don't like it when Pakistan shines and shows its real talent which is art and culture related. Tells you who has the bigger heart! I request the Indian government to stop such people from using actors as soft targets to play their politics on. The Indian government, just like Pakistan's government needs to do its job in protecting cultural exchange between nations. Artists are goodwill ambassadors and must be protected and treated as such always. #indopakactors #artist #culturalexchange #crossbordertalent #softimageofPakistan #fawadkhan #mahirakhan #Pakistanidrama #Pakistanigoodwillambassadors #hipinpk #hipinpakistan #drama #socialdiaries #divamagazine #saarcnations #saarcsummit #Pakistan #paparazzimgazine #india #hellopakistan #womensownmagzine #tvtimes #karanjohar #shahrukhkhan #Aplus

A photo posted by Atiqa Odho (@atiqaodhoofficial) on Jan 21, 2017 at 9:53pm PST

There is no doubt in the fact that she is clearly upset about the Pakistan-India situation. Speaking to HIP regarding the matter, she said,

"Artists should be able to work anywhere in the world as art has no borders or boundaries. Actors should not be used as political tools as that's just cheap tactics used by illiterate people. We need to fight extremists of all kinds and need to be careful not to become like them while doing so."

"Pakistan has always opened its hearts and doors to Indian talent and India needs to do the same for the sake of cultural exchange amoungst our people. By abusing us or keeping us off their screens, they only validate extremist views as then this states that their extremists have won. Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are not terrorists so the Indian government should say something in response to the insult they have faced recently in India. If anyone had treated an Indian artist in a similar manner in Pakistan, I would have been the first to take a stand as a fellow artist!"

My Dearest Mahira, I just wish you had been included in the Dubai press meet and sat on the stage with SRK and the rest of the cast. Having encouraged you to try your luck in India, I'm proud of how beautiful you look in all the Raees songs & promos but am upset that the producers are treating you like an untouchable and giving into pressure from extremist groups in India. Artists should always stand united against terrorists in any country. I pray your movie is a big hit and you shine like the super star that you are. Your fellow artists in Pakistan stand by your side. Atiqa Odho #mahirakhan #raees #shahrukhkhan #indopakfilms #hipinpakistan #divamagazinepakistan #hellopakistan #upapakistan #actpakistan #actors

A video posted by Atiqa Odho (@atiqaodhoofficial) on Jan 23, 2017 at 11:37pm PST

She also shared her experience working with Sara Khan.

Thank u @desi_rampage for the lovely juttis Flaunting as Hadiya 😜😜😜 #laikin #onset Thank u @furqantsiddiqui for this lovely edit n pic

A photo posted by sara khan (@ssarakhan) on Jan 18, 2017 at 3:07am PST

"Sara is a very sweet young woman and a hard working artist. She's focused on her work and very comfortable to be around as she respects her fellow artists and industry professionals. She seems to be comfortable working in Pakistan which is a good thing for us as our false image abroad tends to scare people of a lot, unfortunately."

She also revealed a little about her role in the drama, "Laikin is a lower middle-class family story with lot's of twists and turns as it is a Drama. I play Sara's possessive and calculating mother that wants the best for her daughter no matter how it's achieved. Its a very interesting role to bring alive on screen as it's different to other roles I've done so far."

We at HIP love how Atiqa Odho's taking a stand for something she believes in and we really look forward to watching her upcoming drama!