Twinkle Khanna wants to teach the 'Pakistanis' a lesson through Dhinchak Pooja: 'Get all of Abida Parveen's..'

Amid growing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the digital removal of Pakistani actors from Bollywood film posters and album covers has sparked debate. Noted columnist and author Twinkle Khanna addressed this development in her latest piece for The Times of India, using satire to highlight the extent of cultural censorship.

In her Times Of India column, Twinkle observed that actor Mawra Hocane, who starred in the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam, was digitally erased from the album art on music platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music. “After the recent re-release of ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’, I have been listening to the songs on repeat. While browsing Spotify, I realised actor Mawra Hocane had been edited out from the album cover,” she wrote.

She further pointed out similar omissions involving Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan. Fawad’s image is no longer part of the promotional visuals for Kapoor & Sons, and Mahira has been removed from the poster of Raees—a film where she starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan. On streaming platforms, the song Zaalima, once picturised on both actors, now features only Shah Rukh.

Responding with her characteristic wit, Khanna added, “Not wanting to be left behind in doing my duty as a good citizen, I propose that we get all of Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum’s songs redubbed by our very own Dhinchak Pooja. That will really teach the Pakistanis a lesson.”

Her commentary draws attention to the increasing erasure of cross-border collaborations from the digital space, a move that has intensified following the Pahalgam terror attacks and India’s subsequent military response under Operation Sindoor.

In the past, Pakistani actors and musicians have featured in several Indian films. But as tensions continue to rise, many now argue that separating art from politics is no longer a luxury India can afford. The recent removal of these artists from digital platforms is being seen by many as a necessary response in light of ongoing hostilities, including terror attacks like the one in Pahalgam.

In times when Indian lives are lost to cross-border terrorism, many believe it is justified to take a firm stand, even in the realm of entertainment. The digital erasure of Pakistani faces from Bollywood posters is not just a symbolic move — it reflects a growing demand for accountability and national solidarity in every sphere, including art and cinema.