ARSHAD WARSI : His on screen persona as Munnabhai's Circuit may be endearing, but Arshad Warsi is among many Muslim actors who have found it difficult to buy a flat because of religion. Apparently, he even tried to buy one in his wife's [Maria Goretti] name but with no success. In a recent interview to Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day, Arshad said, 'It was very frustrating. I can't buy a residential or office space anywhere in and around Juhu, or in any part of Mumbai. The JVPD Scheme where the cream of Bollywood lives, is closed to Muslims. I had negotiated and almost closed the deal for a property in Juhu when the builders got to know I was Muslim. They refused. '
IS MUMBAI REALLY AS COSMOPOLITAN AS IT IS COMMONLY PERCEIVED?
by Arefa Tehsin
“Nah…how can this happen in Mumbai, that too with a Bollywood star?” I heard many people say when Emraan Hashmi reported that he was having difficulty in finding an apartment due to his faith. Then it was Shabana Azmi. “I wanted to buy a flat in Bombay and it wasn't given to me because I was a Muslim and I read the same about Saif (Ali Khan). Now, I mean, if Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi cannot get a flat in Bombay because they are Muslims, then what are we talking about?”
