Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has revealed that he refused to release one of his films in Pakistan after being asked to remove the Indian national anthem and flag from the film, stating, “I don’t want to be involved in any business where I’m told to cut out the Indian national anthem or remove the Indian flag just to release a film. That’s not acceptable to me.”
Speaking on the talk show Aap Ki Adalat, hosted by Rajat Sharma, Aamir addressed the growing pressure on Indian Muslim celebrities, particularly during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. He noted that figures like himself are often expected to openly condemn Pakistan and even name specific individuals considered enemies by India.
Khan further said he was the first Indian actor whose film explicitly named Pakistan, breaking a long-standing trend in Indian cinema where the country was only referred to as a “neighboring nation.” He added that filmmakers were previously advised to avoid direct mention of Pakistan in politically sensitive contexts.
His comments underline the complex dynamics of nationalism, identity, and free expression in the Indian film industry. Aamir Khan’s stance is being seen as a strong statement on creative independence and the burdens placed on Muslim public figures during times of regional conflict.
