‘Dangal’ actress Zaira Wasim apologises for meeting J&K CM

Having received rave reviews for her performance in Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ (2016), the last thing 16-year-old Zaira Wasim expected was to be trolled after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Due to the upset that it seemed to have caused a few people on her social, the actress apologised for hurting their sentiments.

As First Post reports,the actress took to her social media profile on Facebook, where she expressed, “I know that many people have been offended and displeased by my recent actions or by the people I have recently met. I want to apologise to all those people who I’ve unintentionally hurt and want them to know that I understand their sentiments, especially considering what has happened (in Kashmir) over the past six months.”

She went on to say, “(However) I hope people can also understand there are certain circumstances that emerge which one cannot control. I hope people still remember that I’m a just a 16-year-old girl and treat me accordingly. I’m sorry for what I did, but it was not a deliberate decision and I really hope people can forgive me.”

She also spoke about how she is being criticised for meeting Mufti, and not wanting a role model status. “I am being projected as a role model for Kashmiri youth. I want to make it very clear that I do not want anyone to follow in my foot steps or even consider me a role model. I’m not proud of what I’m doing and I want everyone, especially the youth to know that there are real role models out there whether they be in this time or in our history,” she said.

However it seems people weren’t content with her post, where the report goes on to add that, after deleting it, the actress posted another note, “Regarding my last post, I have no idea why this has become such a big issue. I just wanted to make sure that I did not hurt anyone’s feelings and all of a sudden it has turned into national news. Again and again, I am telling people that I have not been forced into anything by anyone. This was post was not meant against anyone, just wanted to make sure that people were not hurt by what I was doing. From media to everyone else, please don’t blow this out of proportion. Neither was I forced (to apologise) nor am I against anyone. Hopefully this post just stops this once and for all.”

After the unfortunate event of militant commander Burhan Wani being shot dead by Indian forces, followed by major protests against the Indian Army taking place, Kashmir has been a place of much unease.

Wasim later took down her second post as well.