Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) Director Faruk Kabir, whose recently released streaming series âSalakaarâ has been getting a good response, has spoken about the common trait of all dictators.
âSalakaarâ is a period spy drama-thriller, and alternates between two timelines, the 1970s and 2025. It follows the story of an Indian spy, who is tailing the nuclear weapon development in Indiaâs arch-nemesis, Pakistan. Mukesh Rishi essays the role of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani dictator, who escalated his countryâs atomic bomb project.
Faruk spoke with IANS during the promotions of the series when he was asked about a visual from the series in which Ziaâs character can be seen addressing the public from his vintage Mercedes. The visual has a striking resemblance to the Hitlerâs video in which he can be seen seated in his Mercedes as the Nazi convoy moves behind him.
Talking about the same, Faruk told IANS, âYes, all dictators whether it's Hitler, Mussolini or Zia, all of them have a highly narcissistic trait. It has been common among all dictators over the centuries. Yes, Hitler is a reference point for Zia because his actions were similarâ.
Zia-ul-Haq is the bedrock of most of Indiaâs problems. He was the second Pakistani dictator after General Ayub Khan. He gave a definitive form to Zulfikar Ali Bhuttoâs plan of âBleed India by thousand cutsâ, a thousand year war declared against India for Pakistanâs own interest.
Later, Zia got Zulfikar Ali Bhutto framed in a case, and got the death penalty approved for him through hand-picked judges.
His political actions are largely responsible for the current day geo-political tensions in southeast Asia. He instituted industrialization and deregulation, which significantly improved Pakistan's economy. In 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Zia adopted an anti-Soviet stance and aided the Afghan mujahideen. He bolstered ties with China and the United States.
--IANS
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