Our Bureau
Mumbai
In the aftermath of last week’s deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, veteran lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar has weighed in on the contentious debate over Pakistani artistes working in India. Akhtar stated that, given the current climate, it is not possible for Pakistani artistes to work in India, highlighting what he described as a longstanding “one-way traffic” in cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local ponywallah, has reignited calls for stricter restrictions on cross-border cultural collaborations. In response, the Indian government has barred the release of the upcoming Bollywood film Abir Gulaal, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The film, initially slated for May 9 release, faced opposition from various groups and cinema halls, leading to its songs being removed from YouTube as well.
Addressing the issue, Akhtar emphasized that while Pakistan legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jahan have been welcomed and celebrated in India, the gesture has not been reciprocated by Pakistan. He pointed out that iconic Indian artistes like Lata Mangeshkar, despite their immense popularity in Pakistan, were never invited to perform there due to systemic barriers imposed by the Pakistani establishment.
Akhtar also acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that banning Pakistani artistes could inadvertently serve the interests of hardliners in Pakistan who seek to deepen the divide between the two nations. “If we block Pakistani artistes in India, who are we pleasing in Pakistan? The army and the fundamentalists. This is what they want-a tall wall between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Despite recognizing both sides of the argument, Akhtar concluded that, under the current circumstances, allowing Pakistani artistes to work in India is not feasible. His remarks reflect the broader sentiment in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy, as the cultural fallout continues to unfold.
