The Indian government has blocked the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly.
Indian users attempting to access these profiles see a message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” However, accounts of other Pakistani stars like Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali remain accessible.
This action follows a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 tourists. India blames Pakistan for the attack without clear evidence, escalating tensions.
The ban threatens cultural ties, as Pakistani dramas and artists have long been popular in India. Hania Aamir has reportedly been dropped from a Bollywood film with Diljit Dosanjh, and Fawad Khan’s movie Abir Gulaal, set for release on May 9, has been pulled from Indian platforms.
India’s Usual Petty Tactics
This is not the first time India has imposed restrictions on Pakistani artists. For years, Pakistani actors and singers were a regular feature in Bollywood films. However, after the 2016 Uri attack in Kashmir, which killed 19 Indian soldiers, India enforced a blanket ban on Pakistani talent in its entertainment industry.
The ban was briefly lifted in 2023, allowing for new collaborations, such as the Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal to release in India However, following the recent Pahalgam attack, the film’s songs were removed from YouTube India, and the ban appears to have been reinstated.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has also reiterated its long-standing ban on Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians, issuing a strong statement after the latest incident.
Impact on Cultural Exchange
Pakistani actors and musicians have long enjoyed popularity in India, thanks in part to the widespread viewership of Pakistani dramas on YouTube and other platforms. Despite Bollywood’s much larger scale, Pakistani artists have carved out a significant fan base across the border.
However, the repeated bans threaten to undo years of cultural exchange and collaboration. Since 2016, there has also been a noticeable increase in anti-Pakistan themes in Bollywood films under Narendra Modi’s regime.
Movies such as Raazi, Tiger Zinda Hai, Shershaah, Pathaan, and The Kashmir Files are propaganda pieces depicting Pakistan in a negative light.
