This is what Varun and Ayushmann have to say about Priyanka’s ‘Quantico’ controversy

Priyanka Chopra has apologised for an episode in her American TV series ‘Quantico’ which portrayed Indian nationalists as terrorists who were trying to frame Pakistan in a terror plot.

In the episode, Priyanka, who plays Alex Parrish, is an anti-terrorist officer who plots a nuclear attack in Manhattan to frame Pakistan for it, just days before an India-Pakistan summit is to be held. The episode drew intense criticism from Indian fans.

“I’m extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of ‘Quantico’. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologise. I’m a proud Indian and that will never change,” Priyanka tweeted on Sunday.

At the IIFA press conference, Varun Dhawan and Ayushmann Khurrana were asked to comment on ‘Quantico’ controversy. Ayushmann said,“When you play a character, you have your own thought and that can’t be right or wrong. You’re following a script, a director and that’s your first responsibility…There are all kinds of opinions, you will get backlash when you take one side. You can’t escape this,” Ayushmann said. (Also Read: Varun Dhawan to not romance Katrina Kaif in Remo’s biggest dance film?)

Varun Dhawan supported Priyanka Chopra and said, “To end it, Priyanka Chopra has made the entire country very proud and we stand by her. There’s nothing else.”

ABC had also issued an apology to the viewers. “ABC Studios and the executive producers of Quantico would like to extend an apology to our audience who were offended by the most recent episode, ‘The Blood of Romeo.’ The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it. She has no involvement in the casting of the show or the storylines depicted in the series. The show has featured antagonists of many different ethnicities and backgrounds, but in this case, we inadvertently and regrettably stepped into a complex political issue. It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone.”