Actor Anupam Kher said today that he was “sad and disappointed” that he was denied a visa by Pakistan to attend the Karachi literature festival. “Iam saddened by the development as he was looking forward to participate in the festival and use the platform to dispel misunderstandings in the minds of people there” said Kher.
Kher, who has just been honoured with Padma Bhushan by the Indian government, was to participate in at least two sessions and his name figured prominently in the festival schedule.
The Karachi literature festival is to start on Friday.
However reacting to Kher statement, Pakistani officials says that the Bollywood actor had not even applied for a visa.
“He has not submitted a visa application. Please check from him if he has any receipt,” Pakistan High Commission spokesperson Manzoor Ali Memon told reporters.
Earlier in May 2015 too Kher has been denied visa to Pakistan, when he was invited by an NGO for an event in Lahore.