Asked about her view on the ban on Pakistani artistes in India, Hema Malini, a BJP MP, said: "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.

"As an artiste, I can appreciate their work. But whether they should stay here or not, I can't comment," she added. Hema Malini was launching a new campaign of the brand Kent RO.

The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association has decided to ban Pakistani artistes from working in Indian movies following a terror attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir that left 19 soldiers dead.