The Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer ‘Fighter’ is set against the backdrop of the Indian Air Force’s air strike on Pakistan after a terror attack.

Hania Aamir, Adnan Siddiqui, and numerous other Pakistani actors criticized Siddharth Anand’s film after its trailer was released on January 15. The filmmaker seemed to have responded to the criticism that cross-border celebrities had of ‘Fighter’.

He responded to a tweet regarding Hania Aamir’s most recent Instagram tales with a contemplative face emoji. “Did not she literally work in a movie that was anti-Indian?” the tweet asked. “Why do Pakistani celebrities care so much about the anti-Indian things that their Indian counterparts do in films if Indian celebrities don’t mind?”

Siddharth Anand responded with “Oh!!” to another person, who had tweeted, “Was ‘art’ breathing here?” The original tweet was about the 2018 Pakistani film ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon’. It read, “Parwaaz Hai Junoon was an anti-Indian Air Force movie and Hania Aamir starred in it.”

“So sad and unfortunate to know that there are artists out there in this day and age who are aware of the power that cinema holds and still go ahead and feed the riff between the two countries,” Pakistani actress Hania Aamir commented on Instagram stories. I have sympathy for artists who attempt to close the gap by using their art as a vehicle for communication. Repulsive; give art room to breathe.”

Other celebrities also criticized the ‘Fighter’ teaser, in addition to Hania Aamir. Actor Adnan Siddiqui of Pakistan remarked that it was ‘disheartening’ to see Pakistanis portrayed as villains in Bollywood without disclosing the picture’s title. “Once celebrated for love, Bollywood now crafts hate-filled narratives, portraying us as villains,” he had tweeted lately. Even though we adore your movies, this is depressing. Since art knows no bounds, let’s use it to spread love and harmony. Politics has victimized two nations, and they both deserve better.”

Pakistani star Zara Noor Abbas responded to the trailer for ‘Fighter’ on Instagram Stories, writing, “Aren’t you people tired of selling the same fake crap?! Guys, mature up! Why do you wish to promote this flimsy tale of hatred when the world is changing and maturing? possibly encouraged peace. Isn’t there already enough hatred in the world that you feel the need to spread even more hatred via the widely used medium of film?”

‘Fighter’ stars Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Oberoi, Ashutosh Rana, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Singh Grover, among others. The film’s director, Siddharth Anand, is well-known for his work in Pathaan and War.

The movie “Fighter” is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25.