Never Mix Art & Hate: Dia Mirza On Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan's Comeback Film

Bollywood actress Dia Mirza has expressed support for Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's return to Indian cinema, stating that art should never be entangled with hatred.

In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, conducted before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Dia shared her thoughts on the controversy surrounding Fawad's upcoming film Abir Gulaal.

"It is a political question. If the circumstances to seek a ban on artists were completely...I've always believed that art is and should always be the medium of peace and harmony," Dia said. "We should never, ever allow art and sport to be tangled or mixed with hate. It's just good that Fawad is back in the film, you know that we will be watching soon. I hope this leads to many more such opportunities for other collaborations."

Fawad Khan, who previously starred in Khoobsurat (2014), Kapoor & Sons (2016), and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), is set to make his Bollywood return in Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor. While the film has garnered anticipation for marking Fawad's comeback in a romantic role, it has also drawn criticism. Some have questioned the decision to cast a Pakistani actor, especially in light of current geopolitical tensions.

Following the 2016 Uri terror attack, industry bodies such as the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) enforced a ban on Pakistani artists in Indian cinema. Although a 2023 Bombay High Court ruling dismissed a petition for a formalized ban, an unofficial freeze on collaborations has remained in place.

Abir Gulaal now faces fresh opposition from political groups, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), especially in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.