‘Don’t come back for work’: Indian actor hits out at Mahira Khan
Mumbai – Tensions between the Indian and Pakistani film industries flared up again after an Indian actor made a bold statement against Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. In a strongly worded message that has gone viral, the actor said, “Don’t come back for work,” while referring to Mahira’s recent comments on cross-border artistic exchange.
The backlash started when Mahira Khan, while speaking at a film event in Pakistan, reportedly said that she doesn’t feel welcome in India anymore and criticized the politicization of art. Her remarks didn’t sit well with several Indian film personalities, but one actor in particular took direct aim.
Without naming the actor, social media users speculated that it could be someone from the right-leaning faction of the film industry known for taking strong nationalist stands.
The Indian actor accused Mahira of being ungrateful for the opportunities she received in Bollywood, especially after starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees (2017), which remains her most prominent Indian film appearance.
“If you think you’re too good for Indian cinema or that you were treated unfairly, then don’t come back for work. We have enough talent here,” the actor said in an Instagram story that has since been shared widely across platforms.
The actor’s remarks sparked heated debates online. While some users supported the statement citing national security and cultural pride, others felt the actor was fueling unnecessary hatred and division.
Many film lovers lamented the politicization of art and asked why artists are repeatedly made scapegoats for broader political tensions.
This is not the first time Mahira Khan has been caught in such a storm. In the past, she faced trolling for her photo with Ranbir Kapoor and was also criticized when Pakistani actors were unofficially banned from Bollywood after the 2016 Uri attack.
Cross-border artistic collaborations have largely been frozen since then, with only a few independent artists daring to work across the India-Pakistan line.
While Mahira Khan has not responded directly to the recent criticism, sources close to her said she remains committed to using her platform to promote peace and dialogue.
Meanwhile, fans on both sides of the border continue to hope for a future where art transcends politics — though recent events suggest that day might still be far away.
