By Shweta Thakur
IANS
New Delhi : Pakistani funny bone and "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge" artiste Kashif Khan, who has caught the fancy of millions of Indians, feels that crossover artistes are helping India and Pakistan to come closer.
"Pakistani artistes, who perform and work in India, are proving that the distance between the people of India and Pakistan is reducing," Kashif told IANS here.
"Five or 10 years earlier none of the artistes could even think of such a situation. India and Pakistan are two nations with a single heart. People must stop seeing them as two. We have to intensify the existing love and friendship," he added.
Kashif, a professional stand-up comedian, is co-hosting a comedy show "Comedy Ka Baadsshah" with ace Indian comic personality Raju Srivastav. He says his journey from Pakistan to India has been a great one and adds that he is touched by the hospitality shown by Indians — which is far greater than what he gets in Pakistan.
"I had a notion that it will be difficult for me to adjust and make a mark in Indian television. But it turned out to be a myth. In Pakistan people take comedians lightly and call them 'maskhara'. Here people respect talent and treat artistes very well," he said.
"Moreover, if you are a crossover artiste, the treatment becomes two folds superior."
Kashif said the Indian television industry was much better than Pakistan's.
"Indian industry is a little more technically advanced than Pakistani industry. The remuneration is better here. Also, Pakistani shows are not made with so much precision and hard work as Indian shows. Here even the smallest thing is taken care of."
Kashif reveals that 'saas-bahu' sagas are a rage in Pakistan, especially with women, who are mostly housewives.
"Almost all Indian channels are available in Pakistan and people love to watch Indian serials. Especially there is a craze for Balaji Telefilms soaps among the female viewers," he said.
"Unlike India which has a huge number of working women, in Pakistan almost 70 percent women are housewives, and the 'saas-bahu' saga's prove a great source of entertainment for them."
Talking about new limitations put on the Pakistani media, Kashif said: "Pakistani television industry was declared an 'industry' by the government in 2000. It is young and growing.
"New channels are mushrooming. These find the look-a-likes of the president and prime minister and make them enact the satirical roles. Now the government feels it has given more freedom than required and hence wants to restrain them."