Over the years, Pakistani actors rejected by India have continuously found themselves at a painful crossroads — caught between mass admiration from Indian audiences and harsh political bans that bar them from opportunities in Bollywood. While Indian fans adore Pakistani stars for their talent and grace, the Indian government, especially under BJP leadership, has repeatedly pulled the rug out from under them — often without just cause or fair process.
From Stardom to Silence: A Familiar Pattern
Pakistani entertainment, especially dramas, enjoyed a massive boom in India during the early 2010s through Zee Zindagi. Talents like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Sanam Saeed became overnight sensations. Their work in Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, and other serials struck a deep chord with Indian viewers. Fawad’s subsequent success in Bollywood through Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and Mahira’s pairing with Shah Rukh Khan in Raees was proof of their soaring cross-border appeal.
But that admiration came crashing down fast.
The Sudden U-Turn
The moment tensions escalated — such as during the Pehelgam attacks — Pakistani artists were the first targets. Without concrete proof, the Indian government not only blamed Pakistan but immediately implemented bans. Pakistani content was removed from air, and many actors’ social media handles were restricted. Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan were unofficially blacklisted from working in Bollywood, and Fawad’s rising career was abruptly halted. There was no dialogue, no room for clarification — only rejection.
Desperate for Validation?
Despite this treatment, many Pakistani actors continue to pursue Bollywood recognition. Fawad Khan chose silence, even during tragedies that affected his own people, only to post about Indian attacks — sparking major backlash from fans in Pakistan who expected him to stand by his roots. Mahira, though more balanced, still maintains a soft spot for her Bollywood stint, often praising it publicly while managing to remain grounded in Pakistani projects.
Newer faces like Hania Aamir have also faced the same pattern. Her Bollywood breakthrough with Diljit Dosanjh was reportedly cut short, her Instagram banned in India, and Indian trolls unleashed a tirade of abuse against her — all for expressing a desire for peace.
When Art Isn’t Free
The oft-repeated phrase “art has no boundaries” loses meaning when it becomes one-sided. Indian celebrities face no pressure when speaking against Pakistan or promoting anti-Pakistani sentiment. Meanwhile, Pakistani artists are expected to remain neutral or apologetic — even when they’re wronged. It reflects a painful imbalance — one fueled not just by politics, but by a desperate need for approval from an industry that clearly doesn’t value them equally.
Even worse, some Pakistani stars go out of their way to please Indian icons known for spewing venom against Pakistan — hosting figures like Javed Akhtar with fanfare, while ignoring the emotional wounds such individuals inflict on their own people.
Time for Dignity Over Desperation
Pakistan has borne the brunt of terrorism and international mislabeling for decades. Over 80,000 lives lost, shattered communities, and two generations scarred. Our artists are survivors of this collective trauma — and should reflect the same dignity in how they carry themselves on international platforms.
There is no harm in working across borders — but not at the cost of self-respect.
If Bollywood doesn’t want them, perhaps it’s time Pakistani actors stop begging for a seat at a table that keeps throwing them out. The obsession with Indian approval has gone beyond ambition. It’s time to choose pride in one’s roots over fleeting applause from across the border.