Sonakshi Sinha and John Abraham at the trailer launch of “Force 2,” in Mumbai, Sept. 29. (Press Trust of India)

Hailing the “surgical strikes” by Indian Army on terror launch pads across the LoC, actor John Abraham said Sept. 29, it is time the country responds to terrorism. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #Bollywood #JohnAbraham #SonakshiSinha #Force2 #IndianArmy #narendramodi #namo #surgicalattacks #indiasurgicalattackspakterrorcamps

“We are proud, we should have done this earlier. I am talking about LoC. It’s high time we respond to terrorism. As a country we are very tolerant and I think we should put our foot down and show what India can do,” John told reporters at the trailer launch of “Force 2.”

His co-star from the film, Sonakshi Sinha also echoed similar sentiments.

“Thank you that they took this big step. Like John said, it is need of the hour. I am happy it is happening. We are all citizens of our country,” she said.

However, both the actors refused to comment on the MNS recently asking Pakistani artists to leave India in wake of the Uri terror attack.

“We will talk about ‘Force 2,'” John said.

Sonakshi, who apparently plays a journalist in another upcoming film “Noor” based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz’s novel ‘Karachi, You’re Killing Me,’ said, “We will talk about my next film later. I don’t want to comment on it right now, I am not playing a Pakistani reporter, the film is adapted from a book of a Pakistani author.”

On Pakistani actors usually refraining from condemning attacks on India and its soldiers, John said, “It is important (to see) what we do, we are not in a position to opinionate what others do and don’t do. We can speak for ourselves, Sonakshi can speak for what emotions she goes through and what emotion I go through. We can solely give our opinion.

Zoya Akhter and Kiran Rao (r) at a press conference for the announcement of the 18th Mumbai Film Festival in Mumbai, Sept. 29. (Press Trust of India)
Zoya Akhter and Kiran Rao (r) at a press conference for the announcement of the 18th Mumbai Film Festival in Mumbai, Sept. 29. (Press Trust of India)

“I feel fortunate to be part of industry to promote and express our solidarity with our country and for the soldiers who are true heroes of this country,” he said.

“We can speak for ourselves and stand up for our own people,” the “Dabangg” actress added.

Meanwhile, when actress Kangana Ranaut was asked about the MNS seeking ban on Pakistani actors, she said, “Right now we are very overwhelmed with the loss of our soldiers, our jawans and our sons. So the country is not in that (frame of mind). It’s very hard to be objective right now.

“But we hope that the love and art prevails. Right now we can’t expect people to be objective. It’s such a big loss,” the “Queen” actress said on sidelines of MAMI film festival.

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was present at the Jagran Film Festival, refused to comment on the issues.

When asked about ban on Pakistani actors, filmmaker Kiran Rao told reporters, “We believe in culture. At least, I believe, people are people, our faces our different but we are all people. When we work in culture, we don’t look at borders.

“Diversity is what we aim for. For us, I obviously feel terrorism is wrong, nobody believes what happened should not be condemned. We all condemn it, all feel very upset and sad by what is happening.”

“Not only in our country but at other places. In this, it will be better if you don’t include artists and culture.

Everyone has a desire to do something. We connect with each other through arts, music, cinema. It combines all of us. So I feel sad about it.”