Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan Can Now Star In Indian Films After Bombay HC Rejects Plea To Ban Pak Artists

The Bombay High Court dismissed a petition on Tuesday that had called for a complete ban on Indian citizens, companies, and associations from collaborating with Pakistani artists, such as actors, singers, musicians, lyricists, and technicians. The court, presided over by Justice Sunil B Shukre and Justice Firdosh P Pooniwalla, declared that the petition represented a “retrograde step in promoting cultural harmony, unity, and peace” and lacked merit.

The petitioner, a cine worker, had sought directions from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to impose a ban and restrict visas for Pakistani artists. However, the court observed that the “positive steps” taken by the Indian government in promoting international peace and security, such as allowing the Pakistani cricket team to participate in the World Cricket Cup held in India, would be undermined if such petitions are entertained, as quoted by Live Law. The court also said that activities promoting peace, harmony, and tranquility, including arts, music, sports, culture, and dance, transcend national boundaries and contribute to unity and harmony within and between nations.

Back in September 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) had passed a resolution to ban Pakistani actors from the industry following the Uri attack. President of IMPPA, TP Aggarwal had said, “(The) IMPPA in their 87th annual general meeting passed (a resolution that) no Pakistani will be hired by their producer members forever.”

The court concluded that the petitioner’s prayers for framing policy directions were beyond its scope, as it cannot direct the government or the legislature to frame policies in a particular manner. Thus, the petition was dismissed, as per Live Law.

From across the border, actors Fawad Khan had starred in two big Dharma Productions Kapoor and Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Mahira Khan starred in Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees. Singers like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have previously sung for Indian films.