As diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, several Pakistani actors have been removed from Bollywood song posters. They have also been taken off album covers on popular streaming platforms. The move comes in the wake of India’s firm stance on media content from across the border. This is especially true after recent military and political developments.
Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan No Longer Featured
Prominent Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are no longer visible on the posters of their Bollywood films. This change is evident on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music.
Fawad starred alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt in Kapoor & Sons. He has been erased from the “Buddhu Sa Mann” song poster. In fact, the song has also been rendered inaccessible to Indian viewers on YouTube, displaying the message: “Video unavailable. The uploader has not made this video available in your country.”
Similarly, Mahira Khan played the lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. She has been removed from the film’s music album artwork. Now, only Shah Rukh Khan is featured on the cover.
Other Pakistani Artists Also Affected
Another Pakistani actress, Mawra Hocane, debuted in Bollywood with Sanam Teri Kasam. Her image has also been removed from the film’s album art across streaming services. These visual and content modifications are part of a broader shift in India’s cultural policy amid growing cross-border hostility.
Interestingly, the poster of the 2014 film Khoobsurat, which starred Fawad Khan alongside Sonam Kapoor, remains unchanged for now.
Political Backdrop: Operation Sindoor and Media Advisory
This development follows India’s Operation Sindoor. It was a coordinated military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The attack claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national. In retaliation for the attack, Indian forces targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Also read: India Launches ‘Operation Sindoor’ Targeting Terror Infrastructure in Pakistan
Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks on Indian territory, including ceasefire violations, further worsening bilateral relations.
In this context, the Government of India had earlier issued a formal advisory. This advisory was directed to OTT platforms, digital intermediaries, and streaming services. The advisory invoked the IT Rules, 2021. It urged platforms to avoid hosting any content that originates from Pakistan. Such content may harm India’s sovereignty, security, or public order.
A Broader Cultural Shift
This move to erase the digital presence of Pakistani actors from Indian platforms indicates a wider cultural decoupling. This occurs amid deteriorating ties. Indian authorities have become increasingly cautious about cross-border influence. This is especially true in the entertainment sector. It often becomes a proxy battlefield during periods of heightened conflict.
The geopolitical climate remains tense. Further restrictions or content removals involving Pakistani artists and productions may follow in the coming weeks.
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