Whether the Indian film industry will reopen its doors to talented Pakistani actors is a million-dollar question. The megastars and media moguls of Bollywood—such as the Khans and Karan Johar—seem unable to offer an answer at this moment. So, who is qualified to respond? Could it be the Modi government?
Pakistani stars await opportunities to shine on Indian cinema’s global stage. But since 2016, that door has been shut, leaving fans and artists wondering when, or if, things will change.
Before the abrupt freeze in cultural exchange, several Pakistani actors like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Saba Qamar had made significant marks in Bollywood. Mahira Khan’s role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees and Fawad Khan’s memorable performances in Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil cemented their status as talented artists who could stand tall among Bollywood’s best.
Feroze Khan, a Pakistani actor, is set to star alongside Gathika Tiwari, a renowned Tamil and Hindi actress, in an upcoming feature film. This cross-border collaboration offers a glimmer of hope that artistic exchanges between the two nations may someday resume. However, the larger question remains: Will Bollywood welcome Pakistani actors back?
In September 2016, the Indian film industry banned Pakistani talent. The trigger for this decision was the attack in the Uri region of Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 19 Indian soldiers. India blamed the attack on militants allegedly supported by Pakistan, sparking a diplomatic crisis between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. At the time, TP Aggarwal, president of IMPPA, declared that no Pakistani would ever be hired by Indian producers again. Eight years later, the ban remains in place against the perception that it would be temporary. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a far-right political party in India, called for all Pakistani-origin workers in the Indian film industry to leave the country and for their films to be boycotted.
Pakistani actors and singers, often referred to as “Ambassadors of Peace,” have played significant roles in bridging the gap between India and Pakistan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a celebrated Pakistani singer, enjoyed immense popularity in India before the ban. His soulful voice earned him fans in Bollywood before the ban ended his projects. Despite the artists’ efforts to promote peace through art, the deep-seated political differences remain a formidable barrier.
The film industry is often seen as a reflection of society, and in this case, it mirrors the strained relations between India and Pakistan. While artists may wish to transcend borders and foster unity through their work, they are often caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions. The ban on Pakistani talent in Bollywood is not just a professional setback for the artists involved but also a missed opportunity for cultural exchange that could help ease the tensions between the two nations. The question now is whether the stars of Pakistan and India can play a role in mending the fractured ties between their countries. Can the combined charisma of actors and singers from both sides work its magic in fostering better relations? The answer is not straightforward, but the potential is undeniable.
Art has always been a powerful tool for diplomacy. Cultural exchanges between nations can help break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote understanding. In the past, Bollywood films like Raees and Kapoor & Sons, featuring Pakistani actors, were met with enthusiasm from audiences in both countries, offering a glimpse of what could be possible if the two nations were to embrace cultural collaboration once again.
However, both sides need to be willing to separate politics from art. The Modi government, which has taken a hardline stance on issues related to Pakistan, may not be inclined to lift the ban anytime soon. But as political climates shift, there may come a time when the doors of Bollywood reopen to Pakistani talent.
Despite the ongoing ban, there are reasons to remain hopeful. Moreover, with the rise of digital platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, there are new avenues for collaboration that bypass traditional barriers. Pakistani dramas have gained immense popularity in India through these platforms. This growing demand for Pakistani content could eventually pressure Indian filmmakers to reconsider their stance.
The question of whether the Indian film industry will reopen its doors to Pakistani actors remains unanswered. However, the desire for collaboration, both from the artists and their fans, is clear. As geopolitical tensions ebb and flow, there may come a time when art is once again allowed to bridge the divide between these two nations. Until then, Pakistani stars like Feroze Khan and many others will continue to wait, hopeful for the day when they can share the screen with their Bollywood counterparts and bring their unique talents to a global audience.
(The writer is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. Views personal.)
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