BREAKING NEWS
No Pakistanis please!
Film maker and Director of Karafilm Festival, Hasan Zaidi thrown out of a Mumbai Hotel
Hasan Zaidi, who is in Mumbai for his latest film, was reportedly asked to leave the Juhu Plaza Hotel, after he produced his Pakistani passport.
He said the staff was courteous to him but told him it was hotel policy not to allow Pakistanis in. “They offered to find me another hotel. I was a little surprised because I have been to India quite a number of times and have never faced such a situation,” he told news agencies.
“It sends out a bad message and I think it was a more embarrassing experience for the hotel than for me,” he added. “The booking was done by my producer Sevvy Ali and I drove straight from the airport to the hotel. When I went to my room, I got a call from the reception asking me about my nationality. On realising that I was a Pakistani, they told me the hotel did not give accommodation to Pakistanis and Bangladeshis as a policy.” Zaidi’s producer then shifted him to Sun-n-Sand hotel nearby.
“All this media attention is a little embarrassing but it would help if they think twice before doing this to someone else,” he said.
“We are careful about these things, look at all the bomb blasts happening, who knows who comes from where?” said General Manager, Hotel Juhu Plaza, I Krishnamurthy. However, an unconditional apology was made out to the film maker by the hotel management who clarified that “it was a mistake by the person at the desk and it is not their policy to refuse entry to the hotel on the basis of nationality.”
Hasan Zaidi has been organizing the Karafilm Festival for years, in which quite a few films are showcased and many Indians from Bollywood’s film fraternity have been brought on board. Other than his involvement with Kara, he is a well reputed film maker as well as a journalist. He is acting very civilized about the incident commenting that, “I don’t really mind, but it certainly sends out a wrong message to people across the border.” However had it been anyone else, the hotel could have been sued in court.
Film director Mahesh Bhatt, who has been a keen supporter of Kara and a regular at the festival, says that he is planning to take up the issue with the Home Minister and the Chief Minister.
Speaking to Mumbai Newsline Bhatt said, “Such an incident is very unfortunate at the time when we are talking about globalisation and confidence-building measures with Pakistan.”
He added, “Hasan was not willing to share this incident with the media, but I insisted that he do so. People should come to know about such unfortunate incidents happening in our city. These things should not go unnoticed.”
Still in India, Hasan Zaidi was unavailable to Instep for comment at the time of this report.
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
oh i thought u asking NO PAKISTANI must be responding to this thread 
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
not surprised to hear this. indians are extremely narrow-minded and bigoted ppl. they're full of hatred towards muslims and pakistanis. if I were in hasan zaidi's place, I wouldn't go to india in the first place. i would rather go to iran or korea or japan to get technical facilities for making films.
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
I was recently watching this indian talk show where the host was asking the indian public 'should pakistan become a part of india' . talk about being delusional!
it reflects their true sentiments towards pakistan. I would say india should worry about keeping it's own states united. considering the communal clashes they're facing ;with no two communities accepting the existence of the other; it won't be surprising to see india disintegrated in the near future.
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
CASE STUDIES
HOTLE APOLLO, COLABA
The hotel’s lobby, spick and span, was brimming with people. I approached the front desk and asked for a room. “Single or double,” asked a middle-aged man. “Single would do,” I replied.
“It will work out to be Rs 3,200,” said the executive. “The rate is fine. Will you require any documents since I am a Pakistani,” I said. The man hurriedly consulted a colleague in another part of the lobby and returned a couple of minutes later. “Sorry Sir, there are no rooms available tonight,” he said.
“But you just gave me the rates,” I said.
“I am sorry, sir. There are no rooms available,” he said. I left the hotel.
SEA GREEN HOTEL, MARINE DRIVE
As I entered the lobby, I was greeted by a smiling gentleman. When I inquired if there was a room available, he asked me to have a seat. “I am just checking the availability, sir,” he said.
After a couple of minutes he informed me that a room are available. “Single room would cost you Rs 2,100 plus service charges and luxury tax,” he said.
“Thanks. I am from Pakistan so...” The executive did not even allow me to complete the sentence. “I am sorry sir, I can’t give you a room,” he said apologetically.
I asked him what if I had said I was coming from Gwalior or Aurangabad? “I know it is not fair, sir, but we have been instructed that Pakistanis and Bangladeshis can’t be given rooms,” he said, and added “you can try some other hotels I am sure they will be of help to you,” he said.
REGENT HOTEL, COLABA
As I approached the front desk, I overheard an executive telling a guest that rooms are available.
“I am coming from Pakistan and am looking for a room...” Once again I was cut short. “Sorry there are no rooms available,” the executive said.
“I need one after two days,” I said.
“We are sorry Sir, why don’t you try another hotel across the road,” the executive replied.
SEA PALACE
The staff here were the most straight-forward in stating their ‘policy’ of not allowing Pakistani and Bangladeshi guests. “We do not allow Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. It is our policy to not let out rooms to Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals,” an employee said. “But I can give you my passport, visa and other details. I have informed the police about my presence in the city. What problem do you have in giving out a room to a Pakistani national,” I asked.
“Sorry, we can’t give you a room,” he said.
A FEW GOOD ONES
HOTEL ASTORIA, CHURCHGATE
Even as two employees checked availability of rooms, I informed the front desk executive that I am from Pakistan. “It would have been a pleasure to serve you, sir, but we do not have any rooms available. You can try at Hotel Ritz just across the road,” said the executive.
RITZ HOTEL, CHURCHGATE
“Rooms are available, but you will have to give us your passport,” the executive said. When I told him the passport was with a friend who will join me in a couple of hours, the executive said: “Rooms are available but can be given only after getting documents.”
STRAND HOTEL, COLABA
This hotel did not have any problem giving me a room. When informed about the Pakistani connection, a front desk executive asked for my passport. My story about the documents being with a friend did not wash. He politely asked me to take a seat till the friend arrived with the documents.
I was invited to attend the Karachi Film Festival by Mahesh Bhatt. Initially I was a bit apprehensive as I’d never been to Pakistan earlier. But I was shocked to see a huge mob welcoming us with flower petals at the airport at 3 am. Even at the hotels, people showed tremendous affection and love and recognition and it was all so unexpected.
- Actor Gulshan Grover
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
Really? And Pakistanis are oh so welcoming to non-Pakistanis? Um, last time I checked, it was in Pakistan that even Chinese life is in danger. 
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
far better than India any day. go and live over there and then do the comparison.
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
they're full of hatred towards muslims
Even the Indian muslims hate non-indian muslims! Indian muslims have a different kalima too. It goes something like vande mataram. Stupid indian muslims.
Re: No Pakistanis please! says indian hotel
hahahhaha.