According to reports, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is in negotiations to star in the much awaited Malayalam movie L2: Empuraan. Following the ruling by the Bombay High Court to relax the ban on Pakistani artists, Mahira is reportedly considering playing a key role in the highly anticipated sequel to the smash hit film Lucifer, opposite Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, according to News18 and Free Press Journal.
The head of L2: Empuraan, Director Prithviraj Sukumaran, has not formally addressed the rumors that have been going around regarding Mahira’s possible involvement in the project. But since Prithviraj and his wife Supriya Menon are so close, and because Mahira and her husband Salim Karim are so close, there has been conjecture. Rumors were further stoked by a widely shared group shot from a trip to the Maldives.
The famous person previously told a local network how much she loved Malayalam movies and urged her friends and fans to get involved in the field. She expressed her ambition to work in the industry and complimented Malayalam films for their plot, acting, and production quality.
In the interview, the star went on to clarify that she was referring primarily to Malayalam films, not Tamil or Telugu ones. If the rumors about Mahira’s upcoming Malayalam film debut are accurate, L2: Empuraan, which is a prequel and sequel to the wildly popular Lucifer, will be her first feature film.
#MahiraKhan talking about Malayalam cinema ❤️ and she also mentions in passing, how she met Prithviraj. https://t.co/6gL4lyAuey pic.twitter.com/Yk68y8Qdtp
— ☽ (@aestheticallyFM) September 1, 2023
According to reports, Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Sai Kumar, Baiju Santhosh, and Shivaji Guruvayoor are among the ensemble cast members of Empuraan. The film, which is being co-produced by Aashirvad Cinemas and Lyca Productions, is anticipated to create a lot of hype because Mahira may be entering the exciting world of Malayalam cinema.
The flourishing cultural exchange between Pakistan and India up until seven years ago maintained many people’s faith in the harmony-seeking nature of art. Artists have long supported friendly relations between neighboring countries, from Atif Aslam, who rose to stardom with his Bollywood portfolio, to the renowned Naseeruddin Shah, who starred in the 2007 Shoaib Mansoor film Khuda Kay Liye.
The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) banned Pakistani actors and professionals from working in India after the 2016 attack on the Indian army post in Uri. This move held Pakistan accountable for the incident and ended numerous fruitful collaborations.
Indian media stated that the Bombay High Court recently dismissed a plea that sought to prohibit Pakistani musicians from appearing or working in India. According to Livemint, the court petition was started by self-described artist and film worker Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, who asked the Indian government to outlaw any kind of professional relationship with artists from Pakistan.
The petition specifically demanded that Indian citizens and businesses be prohibited from hiring, seeking employment from, or collaborating with Pakistani artists, singers, lyricists, technicians, and other film industry professionals. The division bench, which was made up of Justices Firdosh Pooniwalla and Sunil Shukre, flatly turned down the application. The court declared that such an action would be counterproductive to promoting cultural unity and harmony within India as well as beyond its border with Pakistan.
According to Indian media, the court also noted that hatred toward foreigners, especially those from nearby nations, does not constitute patriotism. “A person who is unselfish and committed to their country’s cause cannot be considered a true patriot unless they possess a good heart. It was reported by Indian news wires that “a person with good intentions would welcome in his country any activity which promotes peace, harmony, and tranquillity within the country and across the border.”
“One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially, from the neighbouring country,” the judge stated. The bench emphasized that endeavors such as music, athletics, culture, and dancing transcend national and cultural boundaries, underscoring the unifying force of the arts. They mentioned how important such initiatives are in promoting international harmony and peace.
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