Indian Mumbai Court has recently taken an important decision under which Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and many such Pakistani actors have been allowed to work in Indian films. This decision is causing many discussions, as Pakistan has recently banned Indian films from being screened in its state. In this context, the question is when Pakistan has banned Indian films in its country, then why can’t India ban its artists?
The Bombay High Court rejected a plea by Indian filmmakers to ban the inclusion of Pakistani artists. It said, “Patriotism lies in devotion to the country, not in hostility towards the other.” Following the 2016 URI attack. Pakistani artists like Mahira and Fawad Khan were banned.
Pakistani artists, including actors, actresses, singers, and musicians, have been banned in India since the URI attack in 2016. On Tuesday, a hearing was held in the Bombay High Court on a petition filed by a cine worker demanding a ban on Pakistani artists. In his petition, he has asked Indian celebs to refrain from working with Pakistani artists. Now, the judges of Bombay High Court, in their decision, have allowed artists like Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan to work in Indian films and web series and this decision is being considered as a game-changer.
A bench of Justices Sunil B Shukre and Firdosh P Pooniwala felt that the petition lacked merit and said that the Government of India has taken a positive step in promoting international peace and security. The Bombay High Court also said that the petition along with the reliefs seeks a retrograde step to promote cultural harmony, unity, and peace and has no merit.
In 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) had proposed not to work with Pakistani artists after the horrific URI attack. At the 87th Annual General Meeting, the IMPPA President said that the members have concluded that no producer will employ any Pakistani artist in the future as a result of the attack. But now after the decision of the Mumbai High Court, Pakistani actors will again be seen in India’s Bollywood film industry.
