New Delhi: Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities, including actors Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, have once again been restricted in India, just days after they briefly became accessible to Indian users. The sudden reversal has sparked widespread confusion among netizens and renewed focus on the strained cultural ties between the two countries.
The ban comes in the wake of escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and India’s subsequent military response under Operation Sindoor. While the Indian government has not released an official statement regarding the reimposition of the ban, the message displayed on the blocked Instagram pages states, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
The accounts had briefly become visible on July 1, prompting speculation about a possible easing of digital restrictions. However, the re-ban within days suggests continued sensitivity around the presence of Pakistani content in Indian digital spaces, especially in the entertainment and public sphere.
The renewed restrictions also coincide with a firm stance taken by Indian film bodies, which have unanimously banned all professional collaborations with Pakistani artists post the Pahalgam incident. Several cross-border projects have been shelved or postponed indefinitely.
One such high-profile casualty was Abir Gulaal, a film starring Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, which was scheduled for release in May 2025. The film has since been indefinitely postponed without official confirmation of a release.
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is also facing social media backlash after the trailer for Sardaar Ji 3, co-starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, was released. Critics online have questioned the timing of the film’s release in the current political climate. Responding to the controversy, Diljit clarified that the film had been completed before the Pahalgam attack and was only released in overseas markets to avoid controversy and protect the financial interests of its producers.
