Unfortunate, Fawad had to bear the brunt of political climate: Ranbir

Ranbir Kapoor says he is an admirer of Fawad Khan and feels sad that the Pakistani actor's name was dragged into a controversy during the release of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".

Fawad, already a big name in Pakistan, became a heartthrob in India after his debut with "Khoobsurat".

However, the clamour against Pakistani artists just before the release of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", which featured Fawad in a cameo, resulted in him leaving the country.

In an interview with PTI, Ranbir says, "I am a big admirer of Fawad as a talent. His role in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' added so much of dignity and so much of an impact. He was kind enough to do it as it was like a guest appearance, it wasn't a big part.

"It was unfortunate that due to the political climate Fawad had to bear the brunt. But he is someone who I admire and I also connected to him as a friend. I would love to do a film with him where we can share the screen space for a longer time."

Ranbir says his parents, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, also like the Pakistani heartthrob and his mother often watches Fawad's popular TV shows.

"I loved his part in 'Kapoor and Sons'. My parents are his fans. My mother is borderline obsessed with Fawad, she has been watching serials like 'Humsafar'."

"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" also marked the first collaboration between Ranbir and Johar as director and the actor says he would love to collaborate with the filmmaker again.

"We keep talking about films all the time. We are very close friends. Karan just had two lovely babies and that is taking most of his time. I think he will take a break before he gets back and dons the hat of a director. Whenever he has a film to make I would love to be a part of it."

Ranbir is currently busy promoting his next, "Jagga Jasoos", which also features his former girlfriend Katrina Kaif. The film will release this Friday.

-PTI