Mahira Khan on Being Erased from ‘Raees’ Poster

In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam att-ack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has addressed her removal from the YouTube cover of her Bollywood debut film, Raees. In an Instagram video shared by Niche Lifestyle, Khan dismissed the action as inconsequential, stating, “I didn’t feel bad about it, even for a second. I actually laughed about it. It doesn’t matter. It was a very small thing. A silly thing to do.”
The Pahalgam att-ack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor targeting alleged terr-orist camps in Pakistan. In response, several Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, publicly condemned the operation. Khan described the strikes as “seriously cowardly,” a statement that was perceived by many in India as anti-national.
Following these events, Indian entertainment bodies took decisive actions. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) demanded a complete ban on collaborations with Pakistani artists, emphasizing national security concerns. Ashoke Dubey, FWICE’s General Secretary, stated, “Since this is a matter of national interest, the nation comes first.”Consequently, images of Pakistani actors, including Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Mawra Hocane, were removed from promotional materials of their Bollywood films on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Additionally, their Instagram accounts became inaccessible to users in India due to legal compliance measures.
Mahira Khan’s Perspective on Future Collaborations:
Addressing the possibility of working in Bollywood again, Khan emphasized the importance of focusing on Pakistan’s own entertainment industry. She remarked, “I think we need to focus inwards; we need to focus on our own industry. I’m someone who doesn’t believe in the cancel culture or boycotts. I’m speaking broadly. But given the current situation, we’re all emotional. Instead of advocating such strong stances which is one’s prerogative, we should focus on ourselves. We should invest in us [in Pakistan].”
Mahira Khan’s measured response highlights the complexities faced by artists amid geopolitical conflicts. While political tensions have led to significant professional repercussions, Khan’s focus remains on fostering growth within Pakistan’s entertainment sector.