In a candid interview with the Times of India, Mawra Hocane addressed the renewed hatred toward Pakistani artists in India, particularly regarding Fawad Khan’s upcoming film, Abir Gulaal.
Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, is currently facing threats from right-wing political parties in India. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena have vowed to block the film’s release in Maharashtra, while the chief of the Indian Film and TV Directors’ Association has warned of protests over Khan’s casting.
Mawra, however, is not one to internalize the negativity surrounding Pakistani artists. “I don’t take it personally. This is how the world works, right?” she said confidently. “I truly believe if it’s meant to happen, it will. I block the noise around my work.”
She acknowledged the political and bureaucratic roadblocks complicating matters for artists, emphasizing that the real burden lies with producers. “It is truly the producer’s headache, which is sad, but it is their problem. If I invest my mind into thinking, ‘Oh, what’s going to happen,’ I will always be restless,” she explained.
Mawra Hocane, who recently appeared in the Hindi music video “Tu Chaand Hai,” also voiced her support for Khan. “When my colleagues do well, we definitely reach out to each other. I truly wish the best for everyone. I hope this film does really well,” she said.
Despite ongoing objections, there is currently no official government ban on Pakistani artists in India. In 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking a complete ban, but confusion remains.
