New Delhi (National Times): In a surprising turn of events amid ongoing tensions over cross-border cultural exchanges, the Instagram accounts of prominent Pakistani actresses Mawra Hocane and Saba Qamar have reportedly become visible again to Indian users. This development comes weeks after a government-imposed digital blackout on Pakistani artists following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian nationals.
Several Indian social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to report that they could access the Instagram profiles of Mawra Hocane and Saba Qamar. The sudden reappearance of their accounts has sparked curiosity online, leading users to check the profiles of other Pakistani celebrities like Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Atif Aslam, and Fawad Khan. These profiles, however, remain restricted.
In addition to the renewed visibility of Instagram accounts, YouTube channels of major Pakistani entertainment networks such as Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo have also reportedly become accessible again in India, further fueling speculation about a possible shift in the digital ban policy.
One user posted, “Is it only me who can see Mawra Hocane’s Instagram profile?” while another claimed, “Instagram access to several Pakistani artists in India has been restored… including Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, Dananeer Mobeen.” The post included screenshots of now-accessible accounts and triggered discussions across X and Reddit.
The renewed visibility comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s latest film Sardaar Ji 3, which stars Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The film, despite facing backlash and not being released in India due to the post-attack ban, has become a significant overseas box office success. Netizens questioned whether this latest digital unblocking signals a possible India release. One Reddit user wrote, “This means Diljit and Hania’s movie is releasing in India?”
Mawra Hocane, in particular, was previously at the center of a storm after she publicly criticized India’s Operation Sindoor, calling it “cowardly.” The operation had dealt a severe blow to terror networks across the border. Her comment led to intense backlash, and even her Sanam Teri Kasam co-star Harshvardhan Rane publicly refused to work with her in the film’s sequel.
“I have made a decision to respectfully decline to be a part of Sanam Teri Kasam Part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated,” Rane wrote on his Instagram Stories. Directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru later confirmed that Mawra will not be returning for the sequel.
Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan have also faced criticism in India for their perceived silence or alleged indirect support in the aftermath of the terror attacks. Despite the criticism, Hania remains in headlines for her performance in Sardaar Ji 3, which continues to do well internationally.
As of now, there is no official statement from the Indian government or the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding any rollback or softening of the media ban on Pakistani artists. However, the sudden reappearance of certain profiles and channels has certainly ignited speculation over the future of cross-border artistic collaborations.
