‘Sanam Teri Kasam‘, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane, is doing waves at the box office. Director Vinay Sapru recently opened up about Pakistani actors being banned in India.
In conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Vinay chose not to comment on the ban on Pakistani actors in India, stating that the decision was likely made for valid reasons. He acknowledged that those responsible for the ban must have had their own justifications, given that it was an official decision.
After the 2016 Uri attack, India banned Pakistani artists from working in Bollywood due to rising tensions between the two countries. Film associations like IMPPA enforced the ban, preventing Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians from participating in the Indian film industry.
Before the ban, many Pakistani artists found success in Bollywood. Fawad Khan impressed audiences with Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Mahira Khan starred in Raees with Shah Rukh Khan, and Ali Zafar gained recognition with Tere Bin Laden and Dear Zindagi.
Pakistani singers like Atif Aslam (Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Jeene Laga Hoon), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Tere Mast Mast Do Nain, Dagabaaz Re), and Shafqat Amanat Ali (Mitwa, Bin Tere) delivered many hits. However, political tensions eventually ended these cross-border collaborations, leaving a noticeable gap in Bollywood music.
Harshvardhan Rane recently reflected on Sanam Teri Kasam’s box office failure, sharing that the void it left motivated him to work harder. With the film’s re-release, he feels grateful for the renewed love and acknowledges the emotional impact the project had on his career and personal growth.
