Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right
Excitement is growing in cinema-mad India for the return of a movie star from Pakistan to its big screens after his long absence due to an industry ban on artists from the neighboring country.
Fawad Khan, an actor, singer and producer with a huge following in India, announced his Bollywood comeback last week, sending fans into a frenzy, 18 months after an Indian court effectively ruled that a de facto industry ban on Pakistani talent imposed in 2016 was illegal.
'The wait is over! Bringing love back to the big screen,' Khan posted to Instagram last week, alongside a short teaser for the May 9 release of rom-com 'Abir Gulaal.'
The post set off a wave of excitement among fans on social media and on the streets of Mumbai, the home of Bollywood.
'Super stoked to have an artist as talented as Fawad Khan back in Indian cinema,' said marketing professional Phhagun Dev. 'You have been missed.'
Manya Shiksharthi agreed. 'Art has the power to cross borders and connect people in ways nothing else can so hoping for the absolute best,' she said.
India's multibillion-dollar movie industry produces around 1,500 to 2,000 films per year in more than 20 languages – more than any other country – and holds an outsized influence on the country's culture, identity and economy.
While Pakistani and Indian performers have a long and storied history of collaboration, that came to an abrupt halt nine years ago after dozens of Indian soldiers were killed in a militant attack in the disputed Kashmir region that was followed by deadly clashes along the contested border.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Islamabad denied, and as tensions escalated between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association imposed a de-facto ban on Pakistani talent.
Khan, the star of multiple hit Bollywood films, simply disappeared from Indian screens. Meanwhile, Pakistan has largely restricted Indian films from release in the country since 2016.
Where Hindi cinema once reflected certain secular, democratic values championed by India's founding fathers, many critics say the industry has veered toward the right over the past decade – coinciding with the populist rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Alarmed liberals and some industry insiders point to a string of recent blockbusters that they say perpetuate anti-Muslim stereotypes and sideline opposition views.
A BJP national spokesperson previously told CNN the party is not prejudiced against Muslims, and the community has benefited from Modi's leadership.
Regardless of the political climate, a pathway for stars from Muslim-majority Pakistan to return to Bollywood was opened in 2023, when the Bombay High Court rejected a petition seeking a total ban on Pakistani actors from working in India.
Such a move would be 'a retrograde step in promoting cultural harmony, unity and peace,' the court ruled.
Yet in Khan's home country, the film is not expected to release, upsetting fans and cinema lovers alike.
'As a fan of Pakistani dramas and Hindi cinema, I for one will be disappointed to miss out on the experience of watching this creative collaboration, starring one of our most celebrated superstars,' said Lahore-based freelance journalist and communications expert Abbas Hussain.
Once a single nation, India and Pakistan were hastily divided by their departing British colonial ruler along religious lines with devastating results, giving rise to one of the world's fiercest geopolitical rivalries.
In the nearly eight decades since, the two countries have fought three wars and introduced heavy restrictions on travel and exchanges of goods, despite sharing a border, a culture and a deeply intertwined history.
Among that shared culture is a nearly universal love for cinema.
Khan's new movie 'Abir Gulaal' references the Hindu festival of colors Holi in its title. Set in London, it tells 'a love story filled with unexpected turns,' according to its synopsis.
In the teaser, Khan serenades Indian actor Vaani Kapoor to the tune of a popular Hindi love song.
'Abir Singh, are you flirting?' she asks Khan. 'Do you want me to?' he replies.
Khan's impending return to Bollywood is 'heartening news,' Indian film critic and analyst Tanul Thakur said.
'It also reminds us what art can truly achieve: collapsing national boundaries, bringing people closer, and giving the fans a reason to smile,' he said.
Anisha Pal, 26, a movie fan and marketing professional from Kolkata, echoed that sentiment. 'I am extremely happy to see him back in Bollywood,' she said. 'Art and artists shouldn't get affected by politics. I think his return sends out a message of hope.'
But not everyone is happy. Politicians from India's Hindu-nationalist far right blasted the news of Khan's return and have vowed to derail his film's release.
'Despite saying so many times that films by Pakistani artists will not be released in India, some nasty people still try to push their agenda,' the president of the cinema wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional party in Bollywood's home state, wrote on X last week.
'We will not let the film release in India and that's final. Those who want to support Pakistani artists are free to do so, but just remember that you will have to face us.'
Neither Khan, nor the movie's producers, have publicly commented on the perceived threats. CNN is attempting to reach them for comment.
This isn't the first time Khan has faced the wrath of India's Hindu right.
In 2022, his movie 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' – Pakistan's highest grossing film of all time – was banned from release in India following threats from the far-right.
'The amount of business this film has done and the kind of boundaries it's pushed… is going to have a profound effect in the years to come and I hope it continues like that,' Khan told CNN at the time.
Despite the hostility of right-wing politicians, many Indian fans say they are open to seeing more Pakistani stars on their screens.
'They have been loved by the Indian audience too,' said Tania Rao, a teacher from Delhi.
'Talent should be appreciated and seen beyond boundaries… I'm excited to see a good actor given a good film, and more hopeful if it aids to sooth the tension that always seems to exist between India and Pakistan.'
CNN's Esha Mitra and Deepak Rao in New Delhi and Sophia Saifi in Islamabad contributed reporting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Cast Is 'Exposing It All' in Intense First Look at Season 2 Reunion Special
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives castmates and their partners gathered for the show's first-ever reunion special, hosted by Nick Viall The explosive trailer for the reunion special, which debuts on Hulu on Tuesday, July 1, tackles some of the biggest moments fans have talked about since the season 2 debut in May Taylor Frankie Paul, Mayci Neeley, Jen Affleck, Mikayla Matthews, Miranda McWhorter, Layla Taylor, Jessi Ngatikaura and Whitney Leavitt all appear in the trailerThere's no shortage of fireworks in the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion trailer! The trailer, released on Monday, June 23, shows the reunion picking up on some of the biggest questions fans were left with after an explosive season 2. Host Nick Viall welcomes the ladies, who share their thoughts on the season's most unforgettable moments. Viall can be heard asking Jessi Ngatikaura whether she had sex with Vanderpump Villa's Marciano Brunette, as her husband Jordan Ngatikaura's face is shown on screen. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The couple isn't the only pair in the hot seat, with Taylor Frankie Paul saying, "I hurt someone I truly cared about," as a tearful Dakota Mortensen is then shown. While Whitney Leavitt and Layla Taylor talk trust issues among friends, Mikayla Matthews asks, "Would your husbands be okay with you doing that?" Absent from the reunion are Demi and Bret Engemann. The two are not absent from the conversation, however, with Zac Affleck saying, "Demi says, 'Jen, how dare you accuse me, I'm a victim.'" Continuing to speak to the drama between Demi and Jen Affleck, the expectant MomToker pulls out her phone and proclaims she has "receipts" regarding her claims that Demi was the one who had a fling with Marciano. At one point, Ngatikaura teases that the cast is "exposing it all." Though rumors briefly swirled about why the two weren't part of the special, Demi addressed it in an Instagram Q&A earlier this month. In her response, Demi confirmed she was invited but declined to attend. 'It was short notice and the only day they could get the location secured was the day that me and my entire family did Disneyland," she said. "We had already booked all of our flights and the Airbnb was nonrefundable or I would've moved the trip to be there. I tried to have production move it to another day and they couldn't swing it sadly.' The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 reunion special is on Hulu on Tuesday, July 1. Read the original article on People
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
ESPN's Jay Harris shares major health update after prostate cancer reveal
'SportsCenter' anchor Jay Harris said he is recovering from a successful surgery to remove his prostate after revealing his cancer diagnosis earlier this month. In a social media video posted Monday, the 60-year-old ESPN stalwart explained his prostate cancer did not spread and that he's doing well while recovering at home. 'My doctor said the surgery went really well,' Harris said. 'So well, in fact, that the cancer that was in my prostate stayed there. It didn't spread to any surrounding areas. So when he took the prostate out, he took that with it. So it's all good. Harris added he'll be resting at home and will return to work next month. 'There are other details that I won't bore you with, but the main thing is, we're all good. And [I'm] looking forward to July 12, getting back to 'SportsCenter,' getting back to work. 3 'SportsCenter' anchor Jay Harris said he is recovering from a successful surgery to remove his prostate after he revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this month. X/Jay Harris 'So just home resting up, chilling. [I] appreciate the prayers and the thoughts — and the messages and the calls and the deliveries, thank you so much. Appreciate all the love and I will holler. Peace.' Harris received an outpouring of support on Instagram from his ESPN colleagues, including Kimberley Martin, Kelsey Riggs and Ryan Clark. 3 'SportsCenter' anchors Hannah Storm and Jay Harris on the ESPN set. ESPN Harris revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis on June 5 during an appearance on 'Good Morning America,' explaining at the time that his doctor was 'quite optimistic' about his prognosis. Around the same time, Harris shared in an essay for ESPN Front Row that he learned of his prostate cancer diagnosis 'over a month ago.' He added his dad 'had a bout with prostate cancer, which he won.' 3 ESPN's Jay Harris attends the 2017 Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational gala at the Aria Resort & Casino on April 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. FilmMagic 'It's jarring news for sure, yet unfortunately, it's not unexpected, given my family history and demographic. Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. My dad had a bout with prostate cancer, which he won. 'I'm 60. It's something I've always been cognizant of, and my doctor and I talk about it every annual visit. And I'm sharing it all with my 26-year-old son. Maybe I'm oversharing at times — lol — but he needs to know.' Harris joined ESPN in February 2003 as an 'ESPNews' anchor.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
'The Boys' season 5 reportedly just finished filming — here's when we think it'll debut on Prime Video
"The Boys" season 5 could be arriving on Prime Video sooner than we think. On Saturday (June 21), actress Isabella Crovetti posted a pair of photos to their Instagram story from what appeared to be the "The Boys" season 5 wrap party (h/t Bleeding Cool). The photos have since disappeared, but the fan account The Boys Universe screencaptured the photos and shared them on their own Instagram account. A post shared by The Boys Universe (@ A photo posted by on Isabella might not be a familiar name to fans of Prime Video's superhero show, but her brother Cameron Crovetti plays Ryan Butcher on the show and is set to have a big role in the show's final season. As the illegitimate, superpowered son of Homelander (Antony Starr) and Billy Butcher's wife Becca (Shantel VanSanten), he could even be the deciding factor in the war between Homelander and Butcher (Karl Urban). Cameron wasn't the only one spotted at the wrap party, though. Posts from The Boys Universe showed some other show stars in attendance, including Jessie T. Usher (A-Train), Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko), Starr, Nathan Mitchell (Balck Noir II) and Erin Moriarty (Starlight). Barring these photos turning out to be the greatest photoshopped/generative AI-created images ever, it sure looks like "The Boys" has finished principal photography on season 5. Reshoots may eventually be needed, but the final season seems to be ready for the edit bay. But when will we see the last batch of episodes be released on Prime Video? Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I still think that season 5 won't premiere on Prime Video until 2026. Back in May 2024, both show creator Eric Kripke and show star Karl Urban indicated that season 5 was about two years away. Things may be currently ahead of schedule, given that a May 2026 release window would give "The Boys" a pretty long post-production window of around 11 months, but I don't think they're so far ahead that episodes will be ready in 2025. Plus, the Prime Video release calendar is starting to fill out. "Gen V," the spin-off show of "The Boys," drops its second season in September, and it seems that "Gen V" season 2 will be set between seasons 4 and 5 of "The Boys." That means "The Boys" can't arrive until after the October 22 "Gen V" season 2 finale. Then, "Fallout" season 2 premieres in December, likely extending into January 2026. To allow Prime Video's IP shows room to breathe, that signals to me "The Boys" season 5 won't come any earlier than February 2026. That'd still be a few months ahead of our current projection of May 2026, but with filming now wrapped, I won't be shocked if we see "The Boys" season 5 premiere in early Spring 2026. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
