Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane starred in the Bollywood film Sanam Teri Kasam. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with the Indian Army launching “Operation Sindoor” against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam attack. In response, Mawra Hocane criticized India and the Indian Army, sparking widespread outrage. According to reports, she was subsequently removed from the film’s poster on Music App.
The Fallout
The backlash against Mawra Hocane was swift. On Spotify, the album cover for Sanam Teri Kasam no longer features her image, with only Harshvardhan Rane’s photo remaining. This change has been attributed to the heightened tensions between the two nations and the resulting scrutiny of Pakistani artists in Indian films. Notably, the original poster had included both Harshvardhan and Mawra.
The film, initially released in 2016, saw a resurgence in popularity when re-released in theaters this year. The decision to remove Mawra from the Music App poster has been met with mixed reactions. While some have praised the move as a response to Mawra’s controversial statements, others have questioned its implications for artists and the film industry.
Industry Response
Deepak Mukut, the film’s producer, told Hindustan Times that he was unaware of the decision to remove Mawra from the poster. When asked about it, he stated that he hadn’t been informed and that the decision was not his to make. Mukut emphasized that the government’s directives are binding, and everyone must comply.
The removal of Mawra Hocane from the Sanam Teri Kasam poster has sparked a broader conversation about the role of Pakistani artists in Indian films and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the entertainment industry. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will affect the careers of Pakistani artists in India and the overall dynamics of the film industry.