The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has once again imposed a sweeping ban on Pakistani artists in India, following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. This includes actors, musicians, and technicians, putting an abrupt halt to several ongoing cross-border projects.
Hania Aamir, one of the most promising Pakistani stars gaining traction in India, was reportedly set to star in Sardaarji 3 alongside Diljit Dosanjh. With the FWICE’s directive, the film’s future now hangs in limbo. Similarly, the release of Abir Gulaal, featuring Fawad Khan, is also being blocked, underscoring the intensifying cultural freeze.
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Fans took to social media with mixed reactions—some frustrated by the repeated targeting of artists, while others questioned the need for Pakistani celebrities to work in India given the ongoing tensions. Many condemned the politicization of entertainment and its fallout on cultural exchange.
This is not an unprecedented move. A similar ban followed the 2016 Uri attack, pausing all collaborations until a recent thaw brought digital content across borders into shared limelight. Now, the latest restrictions threaten to undo that fragile progress.
