In a subtle yet significant shift, major music and streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music have begun altering promotional artwork for Indian films, removing images of Pakistani actors without public explanation. This trend, observed in recent weeks, appears to reflect growing political tensions between India and Pakistan, though no official directive has been announced.
One prominent example is the 2016 romantic drama Sanam Teri Kasam. The film’s soundtrack cover, once showcasing both lead actors, Harshvardhan Rane and Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, now features only Rane. Hocane’s image has been quietly erased from the artwork across multiple platforms. Sources close to the production revealed that this change followed remarks by Rane, who expressed reluctance to work with Hocane in a potential sequel. Deepak Mukut, the film’s producer, told reporters he was unaware of the decision to edit the artwork, stating, “No one consulted me. It’s their call, and we all follow what the government decides.”
A similar pattern emerged with the 2017 blockbuster Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. The cover art for the hit song Zaalima, which previously depicted both stars, now shows only Khan. This alteration has sparked discussions among fans, with many noting the absence of any formal announcement from the platforms or production houses.
The changes coincide with heightened scrutiny of Pakistani talent in Indian media, a sentiment that intensified after the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the more recent Pahalgam incident. Following these events, several Indian streaming services pulled Pakistani music, films, and television shows from their catalogs. While those earlier removals were overt, the current edits to album artwork are more discreet, suggesting a cautious alignment with prevailing political sentiments rather than a mandated policy.
Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, known for his roles in Kapoor & Sons (2016) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), has also been affected. Although his films remain available, his likeness in promotional visuals has been noticeably reduced. The cross-border romantic drama Abir Gulaal, featuring Khan alongside Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, has faced its own challenges. Promotional posts for the film, directed by Aarti S Bagdi and produced by Vivek Agrawal, vanished from Kapoor’s Instagram account. Industry insiders clarified that the deletions stemmed from the production team removing collaborative posts, not Kapoor distancing herself from the project. With its planned May 9 release now in doubt, the film has become a lightning rod for controversy.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and groups like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have renewed calls to exclude Pakistani artists from Indian projects, citing national security concerns. These demands have fueled speculation that platforms are preemptively editing content to avoid backlash. However, the music tracks themselves remain untouched, and no official statements have been issued by Spotify, YouTube Music, or the affected films’ production teams.
Fans and industry observers are divided on the issue. Some view the changes as a pragmatic response to geopolitical realities, while others argue they erase the contributions of artists who helped create beloved films. As one social media user put it, “You can’t rewrite history by editing a poster. The art should stand as it was made.”
For now, the quiet removal of Pakistani actors from digital artwork continues, raising questions about the balance between creative legacy and political pressures in India’s entertainment industry.
