As diplomatic strains between India and Pakistan intensify, their impact is increasingly extending into the realm of entertainment. In a recent move that reflects the ongoing cultural disconnect between the two nations, prominent Pakistani actors Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan have been removed from several Bollywood song posters on popular music streaming platforms.
The actors, who once enjoyed widespread admiration among Indian audiences for their work in Hindi cinema, are now noticeably absent from song artwork and digital thumbnails where they once prominently featured. This quiet revision has gone unaddressed by major music platforms or production houses but appears to be a strategic move in response to the prevailing geopolitical climate and rising nationalist sentiments.
Mahira Khan, known for her role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film Raees, was featured in promotional material for many of the movie’s hit songs. Similarly, Fawad Khan had built a strong fanbase in India through his performances in Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and his face too had graced the visuals of songs from these films. However, recent updates to music platforms show altered imagery—either cropped to exclude them or replaced entirely with solo shots of Indian actors.
This digital removal comes at a time when creative collaboration between the two countries has dwindled. After the 2016 Uri terror attack, Bollywood began to distance itself from Pakistani talent due to strong public sentiment and political backlash. While no official ban was declared at the time, many industry stakeholders voluntarily chose to sever ties, resulting in a long-standing freeze on cross-border participation.
Industry insiders suggest that the current changes are precautionary rather than policy-driven. “No official instruction has been issued,” one insider explained, “but the mood is cautious. Platforms are trying to avoid any public outrage or political scrutiny. It’s a preventative measure rather than a reactionary one.”
Fans and observers have had mixed reactions to this move. Supporters of Mahira and Fawad expressed disappointment over what they view as an erasure of artistic contribution. Many took to social media, questioning why actors should be penalized for political issues beyond their control. “They were part of these films. You can’t rewrite history by removing their images,” one comment read.
On the other hand, some netizens viewed the move as justified given the heightened national sentiments. “We’re in a sensitive phase. Such decisions are necessary to maintain social harmony,” wrote another user.
Neither Mahira Khan nor Fawad Khan have commented publicly on the matter. Both have previously advocated for peace and artistic exchange between the two countries and have often spoken of the power of cinema to build bridges. Their silence now, however, reflects the challenging position cross-border artists find themselves in when politics overshadows art.
This development brings into sharp focus the fragile relationship between politics and culture, especially in regions where national identity is deeply intertwined with media representation. The quiet erasure of artists from visual content, even when their performances remain untouched in the final product, raises concerns about how long art can remain separate from international politics.
As long as bilateral tensions remain unresolved, it seems that artists—once symbols of shared creativity—will continue to bear the brunt of geopolitical rifts. The removal of Mahira and Fawad from these promotional materials is more than a cosmetic change—it’s a reflection of the uncertain future of cultural diplomacy between India and Pakistan.
