Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 13: Amid the heightened India-Pakistan tensions in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and the recently announced ceasefire understanding, popular Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have been digitally erased from Hindi film song posters on major music platforms, including Spotify and YouTube Music.

This subtle but symbolic move mirrors the growing sentiment in certain quarters of the entertainment industry, where associations with Pakistani talent are being reconsidered.

On music platforms, the Raees album — which originally showcased Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan together — has now been updated to feature Shah Rukh Khan alone, with Mahira's image removed.

Similarly, Fawad Khan, who starred in the hit film Kapoor & Sons, has been removed from promotional images related to the film's song "Buddhu Sa Mann". The song, which previously featured Fawad alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, is now unavailable for viewing on YouTube India, displaying the message: "Video unavailable."

Earlier, Mawra Hocane, another Pakistani actress, was removed from the cover visuals of Sanam Teri Kasam, continuing a pattern of distancing from cross-border collaborations in entertainment content.

While no official statement has been released by the platforms or production houses, the actions are being viewed in context of national sentiment following recent military developments and diplomatic unease between India and Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor, a high-precision military response by India targeting terror infrastructure across the border, followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. In the aftermath, Indo-Pak relations have remained tense, despite both sides recently agreeing to pause cross-border military actions.

In past instances too, following periods of political or military friction, Bollywood has seen informal restrictions on Pakistani artists, reflecting public mood and policy shifts.