Following last week’s devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local ponywallah — the Indian government has decided not to allow the release of a film featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. This move has sparked widespread debate over whether it is justified.
Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, known for co-writing iconic films like Deewaar and Sholay, acknowledged that the issue has two valid sides. However, he maintained that Pakistani artistes should not be allowed to work in India, at least for now.
Javed Akhtar says cultural exchange between India and Pakistan have always been one-way
Responding to a question on Tuesday, Akhtar noted that cultural exchange between India and Pakistan has historically been “one-way.” While many Pakistani legends — such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jahan — have been warmly welcomed in India, the reverse has not happened.
He recalled that when celebrated poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz visited India during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, he was received with the respect accorded to a head of state. Despite such goodwill, India’s cultural icons have not been invited to perform in Pakistan.
“I have no grievance against the people of Pakistan,” Akhtar clarified. “In fact, some of their finest poets wrote in praise of Lata Mangeshkar. She was arguably the most beloved Indian artist in Pakistan during the 60s and 70s. Yet, she never performed there. There was a systematic barrier—clearly enforced by the Pakistani establishment—that prevented such exchanges.”
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Javed Akhtar’s take on Pak artists being banned in India
Akhtar also addressed the broader implications of banning Pakistani artists, warning that such actions might actually align with the interests of extremist forces in Pakistan.
“If we bar Pakistani artistes, who benefits? The army and religious hardliners in Pakistan. They prefer a high wall between the two countries to prevent Pakistanis from witnessing the freedom and rights Indian citizens enjoy. Cultural ties and friendship don’t serve their agenda,” he said.
“Both perspectives are logically sound,” he concluded, “but given the present circumstances, I believe Pakistani artistes should not be permitted to work in India.”
Government bans Pak actors in Indian films post Pahalgam
Sources in the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry confirmed that the upcoming Bollywood film Abir Gulaal, featuring Fawad Khan, will not be released in India. The film, originally set to premiere on May 9, faced strong opposition from various groups, including Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Several cinema halls had already refused to screen the movie. In addition, two songs from the film, previously released online, have now been taken down from YouTube.
