Sanam Saeed: Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan faced the brunt of the Pakistani artistes’ India ban

Actress Sanam Saeed, known for her noteworthy performance in Pakistani show Zindagi Gulzar Hai, recently opened up about the Pakistani artistes’ ban in India. She spoke about the shockwaves that were felt through the entire entertainment industry when the informal ban came into force, calling it a ‘rude awakening’. She reveals how Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan were the most affected by the 2016 ban.

Fawad and Mahira are popular in India thanks to their hit drama series Humsafar, which was an instant success in India. They even went on to act in Bollywood films. Fawad starred in Bollywood films Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, while Mahira debuted in Raees alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

In a recent interview, Sanam  said that the suddenness of the ban was a “rude awakening” that led to shock and confusion. “Why mix politics with art and culture?  It is tragic, but we all got over it,” she said. Sanam also opened up about how Fawad and Mahira were the most affected by the ban and that she can empathise with Mahira’s nervousness and hesitation to take that step again after how she was treated.

The actress also opened up about how Pakistanis tend to make fun of how Muslims are portrayed in Indian cinema, and how there is a certain animosity between the communities and nations with regard to the film industry and the projects within it. “I don’t think I have seen any projects in which India and Pakistan are friends,'' the actress added.

On the work front, Sanam will be next seen in the movies Ishrat Made In China and Aan. Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, meanwhile, were last seen in The Legend Of Maula Jatt, a blockbuster Pakistani film.