Mahira Khan Reveals Why She Was Scared To Take Up Indian Projects

The Pakistani actor Mahira Khan revealed how the ban on Pakistani artists affected her career and how a "great opportunity for the entire subcontinent to come together and collaborate" was lost.

Talking to a news portal, Mahira Khan addressed the ban on Pakistani artists that took place after the unfortunate Uri attack of 2016. After the Pulwama attack in 2019, the All Indian Cine Workers Association announced a complete ban on Pakistani artists and actors. Calling the decision sad, Khan revealed that she was "scared" to take up a lot of offers for Indian Web Shows which led to a huge loss in her career opportunities.

Khan said, "I guess, having experienced it firsthand, it’s just sad. We have all moved on. That’s what we do, if we don’t have this, we do something else. That’s what happens."

She added, "But I feel like a great opportunity for the entire subcontinent to come together and collaborate was lost. I think it might happen again. Who knows?"

To date, Khan has only appeared in one Indian film, Raees, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Right before the release, Pakistani actors were banned in India. Even though her film wasn't banned, she was prohibited from promoting her film in India. After the release, Khan received much positive response from the Indian industry. She anyway had to reject others offers.

Although she mentioned moving on from the huge loss she faced, she believes such an incident might happen again, leading to another ban on the actors.

The 36-year-old actor reported that she won't let any political happening affect her choices. Admitting she was scared at a time and rejected a lot of offers in the past, she assured that she will take up collaboration opportunities in the future, even if it's on digital or in any way.

Khan is set to appear in a Zee5 web series, Yaar Julahay, in which she will narrate short stories. Most popular for the romantic drama Humsafar, she has last appeared in the Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt.