Pakistani Artists Barred from Working in India After Pahalgam Attack
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Hashim Sheikh
- . April 26, 2025
- . Update: April 26, 2025 6:14 pm
In the wake of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, killing 26 people, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) declared an outright ban on Pakistani artists entering India for work. In retaliation, FWICE had previously announced a ban on Pakistani artists in India following the Pulwama attack in 2019 to show solidarity with this nation.
INDIA BANS PAK ARTISTS
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) April 24, 2025
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) imposes an INDUSTRY-WIDE BAN on Pakistani artistes. pic.twitter.com/uh94CfLPyN
FWICE Bans Pakistani Artists After Pahalgam Attack
Under this sanction, FWICE also requested all broadcasters, theater owners, and digital platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, MX Player, and Zee to stop the release of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s upcoming movie Abir Gulaal in India.
FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit warned that Indian producers or filmmakers working with Pakistani artists would also attract the ban. The decision would be final, he added, and reiterates the sentiments of the industry for the nation.
Courts Favor Peace; A Pakistani Filmmaker Speaks Up
While some of these film groups have, for better or worse, taken a hard line, Indian courts have taken a different view altogether.
The Bombay High Court banning Pakistani artists will be detrimental to cultural friendship and peace. It expressed that true patriotism is being spread in love and unity and not in hatred. Later, the Supreme Court, agreeing with the Bombay High Court, dismissed another similar application by saying that promoting peace and friendship would always be in the interest of the country.
Nabeel Qureshi has lately agitated for Pakistani artists confronting difficulties with obtaining No Objection Certificates (NoCs). Per his words, art and culture should be able to bridge any gulf keeping the people apart. He urged both India and Pakistan to keep peace and better cultural relations as their uppermost ideal.
Today, the Indian entertainment industry is trying to align nationalistic sentiments with the cultural relationships it shares with the other side.