As tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following a recent military escalation, Pakistani artists find themselves entangled in a renewed cultural standoff. Amid a tightening clampdown on Pakistani talent in India, actor Mahira Khan is urging for calm and a redirection of focus towards strengthening local entertainment.
Currently in the United States promoting her upcoming film Love Guru with co-star Humayun Saeed, Khan addressed the ongoing ban on Pakistani artists in India during a fan meet-and-greet. The Raees star, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan before the 2016 ban on Pakistani actors, offered a nuanced perspective on the issue.
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“I believe we need to look inward and prioritize our own creative industries,” she said in response to a fan question. “I’m not someone who supports cancel culture, broadly speaking. I don’t agree with bans and those kinds of restrictions.”
Her remarks come at a time of heightened nationalism on both sides of the border, where cultural boycotts are increasingly defining the relationship between the two film industries. Yet Khan advocates not for retaliation, but for introspection and investment in homegrown talent.
“It’s natural to feel emotional — your country means everything to you,” she acknowledged. “But beyond that, rather than reacting with strong countermeasures — which is your choice — I believe we should focus on building ourselves up. Let’s start investing in us.”
Khan’s sentiments echo those of many within Pakistan’s artistic community, who argue that such bans often serve political agendas rather than the growth of the creative sector.
This isn’t the first time Khan has spoken out about the challenges of cross-border artistic exchange. Following the 2017 fallout that overshadowed the release of Raees, she expressed her disappointment at not being able to promote the film alongside Shah Rukh Khan. In an interview with Images, she shared, “I wanted to promote the film. I wanted to sit next to Shah Rukh Khan in an interview and talk about it. Why shouldn’t I? It was my film too.”
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Now, in 2025, Khan’s message remains consistent, yet more grounded in the belief that cultural self-reliance is key. As Love Guru continues its international run, her words serve as both a reflection of her personal journey and a broader reminder: in times of division, artists have the power not just to resist — but to rebuild.