Mumbai, Maharashtra: Prominent filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has voiced support for the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which has officially appealed to Indian film producers to boycott Turkey as a shooting destination. The move follows Turkey’s increasing support for Pakistan on issues that impact India’s national security and interests.
In a statement to ANI, Pandit emphasized the seriousness of the matter:
“Federation of Western India Cine Employees is the mother body of nearly 35 crafts, all the technical crafts come under this association, has made an appeal to the entire industry to boycott Turkey. Our industry has played a very important role in promoting tourism of Turkey. A lot of films and shows have been shot there.”
FWICE, which represents 36 crafts of workers, technicians, and artists in the Indian media and entertainment industry, issued a strongly worded press release urging Indian producers to reconsider investing in or collaborating with Turkey in any form.
“We have been quite a big promoter of this country. But the way they have behaved by supporting the biggest terrorist country, Pakistan, which is a rogue nation in the fight against India. We have taken this very seriously, and we are not going to lie low,” said Pandit.
“We, as an industry, are showing support to our government that the entertainment industry stands by our country. We’ll see to it that no producer or technician goes and shoots in Turkey and Azerbaijan who have gone against our country…”
The call for a boycott follows Turkey’s visible diplomatic support for Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of India’s recent military operation ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
FWICE reaffirmed its guiding principle:
“FWICE has always stood firm in its belief that ‘Nation Comes First’.”
The organization stated that Turkey’s diplomatic stance and international behavior are contrary to India’s sovereign interests, and therefore investing or working in such a country is no longer acceptable for the Indian film fraternity.
The official press release further urged:
“We therefore appeal to all production houses, line producers, actors, directors, and crew members across the Indian film fraternity to stand in solidarity with the nation and boycott Turkey as a location for film shoots until such time that the country revisits its diplomatic stance and aligns with principles of mutual respect and non-interference.”
Meanwhile, FWICE General Secretary Ashoke Dubey also called for a complete ban on Pakistani artists from working in India, citing the growing threat of cross-border terrorism and hostile behavior from Pakistan.
The Pahalgam terror attack marked one of the most brutal incidents in Kashmir since the Pulwama attack in 2019, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. With tensions escalating, the Indian film industry is now aligning itself with the broader national sentiment of strategic and cultural resistance.