The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have recently led to the removal of Pakistani actors' images from album covers of films in India, particularly those featuring Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane. This follows the broader trend of Pakistan-based celebrities being sidelined in India due to the political climate. Mahira Khan, who starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film Raees, has had her image removed from the album cover of the film, which now only shows Shah Rukh Khan. Similarly, Mawra Hocane, who featured in the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam, also saw her image removed from the album covers of the film on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music.
The move is part of a wider initiative where music companies in India are removing Pakistani artists' images from their film albums, following a series of bans on Pakistani artists' social media accounts in India. This has led to growing calls for the exclusion of Pakistani talent from Indian entertainment, especially in the wake of increasing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
Interestingly, Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan's album cover for Khoobsurat (2014) has not been altered, maintaining the image of the Pakistani actor alongside the Indian actress, despite the broader trend.
Amidst this backdrop, Harshvardhan Rane, the actor from Sanam Teri Kasam, responded to the removal of Mawra Hocane’s image by commenting on Mawra's earlier remarks about India’s Operation Sindoor, which she condemned. Mawra had criticized Harshvardhan for deciding to exit the film’s sequel if she were involved, suggesting his move was a PR strategy. In response, Harshvardhan clarified that his stance was based on common sense rather than public relations, implying that he would not engage in a project involving her due to her controversial comments. Mawra, in turn, dismissed Harshvardhan’s response as an attempt to gain attention, calling it "a pity". This exchange further fueled the controversy, revealing the personal and professional tensions that have emerged due to the strained relationship between India and Pakistan.
The changes in film album covers and the tension between the actors underscore the broader impact that political dynamics can have on the entertainment industry, particularly when it comes to cross-border collaborations.
