“Bollywood has no shortage of talent,” but Mumtaz believes Pakistani musicians should be given an opportunity

Notable Indian actress Mumtaz, who accompanied her sister Mallika on a recent visit to Pakistan, has expressed her support for the easing of the embargo on Pakistani artists, highlighting the importance of cross-border cultural interchange. The seasoned performer shared glimpses of her journey on Instagram, including time spent with classical singers and actors from Pakistan.

Mumtaz thanked Pakistani musicians for their gracious hospitality during her visit in an open interview with Zoom. She related touching stories about how Fawad Khan reserved a whole restaurant for her and how Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sang even though she wasn’t feeling well. Mumtaz reflected on her experiences interacting with musicians such as Ghulam Ali and said, “They are no different from us.”

Mumtaz emphasized in the conversation the abundance of talent in the entertainment sectors of Pakistan and India. “They need to be let to come and labor here. She spoke in favor of possibilities for Pakistani artists in Bollywood, saying, “They are talented.” Even while Mumtaz acknowledged that Mumbai’s film industry is full with talented people, she also stressed the need to encourage collaboration and interaction between artists from both nations.

She said, “I agree that there is no shortage of talent in the Mumbai film industry, but they (Pakistani artists) should also be given a chance,” highlighting the need of giving artists from all countries equal opportunity.

Since the 2016 Uri terror assault, the Indian entertainment sector has prohibited Pakistani musicians from performing, a controversial decision that underscores the nuanced nature of cultural diplomacy between India and Pakistan. The increased tensions between the two countries gave rise to the push for limitations on cross-border talent exchange.

Following the incident in Uri, calls from different segments of Indian society for a ban on Pakistani musicians grew in strength. The scandal centered around prominent individuals like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, which prompted the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) to take urgent action.

According to WION, the IMPPA decided to impose a ban on Pakistani artists working in India, so ending cultural interactions between the two nations, citing worries about “security” and “patriotism.” The IMPPA was not the only organization that decide to outlaw Pakistani musicians performing in India. In order to reinforce the opposition to cross-border participation in the entertainment industry, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and its affiliates overwhelmingly endorsed the installation of restrictions on Pakistani artists and technicians.