Cinema can play an important role in resolving tensions between India and Pakistan, says Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, calling for the industry to be gentler.

In an interview to the BBC World's Asia Today programme, Khan says: "Cinema needs to be more gentle - it can explain to people that we are one world or we live in the same area and we have the same thoughts, same problems and we need to sort them out in a way that is more amicable than politicising an issue."

A statement from BBC World quotes Khan as saying that he has always viewed India and Pakistan as one. He also expresses his desire to see them unite.

"I do wish we could progress socially, economically and religiously together and I would love it to be one country. We would kick everybody's butt in hockey and cricket, I'm sure - if we got together," Khan says in the interview to be telecast Tuesday evening.

He also talks about being a Muslim and shares his experience of being frisked at American airports. He feels it is his duty as a Muslim and as a human being to spread a message to the world that Islam is not a violent religion.

"I think terrorism has no religion, its just point of view - right or wrong. I am sure it's right from their point of view but it's wrong for most of us... what religion they belong to, or what country they belong to, I don't think it's the reason they are doing it."