After a spot of seven years, Pakistani cricketers landed in India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, who directed Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees requested since cricketers are within the nation, can we count on Pakistani actors to make a comeback in Bollywood as he wrote on X, “Now that Pakistani cricketers are officially here, can we also invite Pakistani actors to act in our films? Or musicians to perform?”
For the unversed, Raees marked the Bollywood debut of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan however was not allowed to advertise the movie within the nation as there was ban on Pakistani artistes after the Uri terror assault.
The All Indian Cine Employees Affiliation had introduced a complete ban on Pakistani artistes after the Pulwama terror assault in 2019.
“In relation to Pakistani government banning Indian movies in Pakistan AICWA (All Indian Cine Workers Association) urges all the film industries to put a complete stop to any association with Pakistani artists, musicians, and diplomats,” learn the assertion in response to Pakistan’s personal ban on Indian movies.
Speaking to Movie Companion in 2021, Mahira had stated, “I guess, having experienced it firsthand, it’s just sad. When I think about it… I mean, we have all moved on. That’s what we do, if we don’t have this, we do something else. That’s what happens. But I feel like a great opportunity for the entire subcontinent to come together and collaborate was lost. I think it might happen again. Who knows?”