A little-known Pakistani TV channel has created a video ad ahead of the much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing cricket World Cup. The video has evoked angry reactions from Indians with industrialist Harsh Goenka terming it ‘shameful.’
In the video, the TV channel has used a duplicate to portray Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by the Pakistani military in February this year after his fighter jet crashed inside Pakistani territory. He was later released by the Pakistani army, who made several attempts to obtain sensitive information about the Indian military, but he had refused to divulge any saying, ‘I’m not supposed to tell you this.’
Using the same line, the Pakistani channel, Jazz TV, has made its actor in the World Cup ad mock Abhinandan. The duplicate playing the character of Abhinandan says ‘I’m sorry, I’m not supposed to tell you this’ when asked what will the Indian team do if they win the toss against Pakistan in their scheduled encounter this month. He repeats the same line when asked to name the players in the playing XI.
Mimicking Abhinandan, who had praised the tea being served tea during his captivity; the actor in the video too is heard saying, “Tea is fantastic.’ As he proceeds to leave the interviewing room, a Pakistani voice stops him and snatches the team cup from him.
The video has evoked angry reactions from Indians with industrialist Harsh Goenka calling it an insult to India’s hero. Similar reactions came from other social media users.
Shameful for Pakistan to mock our hero #Abhinandan ahead of #INDvsPAK World Cup cricket game. We need to retaliate! pic.twitter.com/BQcLxyQPvH
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 11, 2019
@aaqibrk @AskAnshul please report Pakistan world cup ad. They are mocking abhinandan gaaru (IAF) capture. #senselesspakhttps://t.co/O2lvD08Lzn #shameonpak #hindustanjindabad ????
— surya teja (@surya1691) June 11, 2019
Pic 01: What India Can Do?
Pic 02: What Pakis Can Do?#Abhinandan pic.twitter.com/j84LhRePXq— aaro (@rachitoza) June 11, 2019
This ad is sponsored by economic think tank of Pakistan and @ImranKhanPTI
to save their economy. They don’t let them go their tea cup to save their economy. Lol.#abhinandan— UtpalNparashar (@UNParashar) June 11, 2019
This is the our hero’s personality, no one can remain untouched. But next time plz use some good actors. Btw #ShikharDhawan exclusion must be a relief for many competitors #CWC19 #abhinandan pic.twitter.com/mrBFLFLh2d
— Megha Jain?? (@i_meghajain) June 11, 2019
India and Pakistan face each other in the World Cup on 16 June.