Mawra Hocane, Mahira & Fawad disappear from Indian music albums amid cross-border tension

In recent weeks, fans have noticed a quiet but significant change on popular music platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, the disappearance of Pakistani actors from album artwork of Indian films they once starred in. This subtle erasure appears to be part of a larger trend, linked to the ongoing political strain between India and Pakistan.

A notable example is the romantic drama Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), which featured both Indian actor Harshvardhan Rane and Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane. While the film's original album covers showcased both leads, the current versions on music streaming platforms now display only Harshvardhan. Mawra’s image has been entirely removed. When reached for comment, producer Deepak Mukut expressed surprise, saying, "They didn’t ask me. It’s their decision.

Whatever our government says, everyone has to follow.” This isn’t an isolated case. The 2017 hit Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, has also undergone a visual makeover. The album art for the popular track Zaalima, once a romantic duet showcasing both actors, now features only SRK. Mahira's presence has been scrubbed from all major music platforms. These changes come amid increasing restrictions on Pakistani talent in Indian entertainment, especially after the Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks. In response to national sentiment and government advisories, streaming services and OTT platforms in India had already taken down Pakistani shows and music.

The move to now edit past work involving cross-border collaborations appears to be a continuation of this stance. Adding to the controversy is the recent film Operation Sindoor, which reportedly sparked fresh outrage after certain actors made bold political statements, intensifying the backlash against any association with Pakistani artists. Previously beloved stars like Fawad Khan, who gained immense popularity through Bollywood films like Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, are also caught in this wave of exclusion. Despite fan demand and their widespread appeal, their contributions are increasingly being wiped from the digital landscape.

As of now, no official policy dictates the removal of images from music albums, but the trend points to an unspoken industry-wide compliance with current political sentiments.