Mumbai, April 12, 2025: Former Miss Universe and celebrated Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has voiced her support for the inclusion of Pakistani actors in Indian cinema, saying that art and creativity should never be restricted by borders.
In a candid interview with Instant Bollywood, Sen responded to the renewed debate sparked by Fawad Khan’s comeback in the Hindi film industry with the upcoming movie Abir Gulaal. The teaser of the film, which stars Fawad opposite Vaani Kapoor, ignited a fresh round of political and industry discussions about cross-border artistic collaborations.
Speaking on the issue, Sushmita said:
“Dekhiye mujhe itna sab nahi pata. Mujhe sirf pata hai ki hunar aur creativity mein koi boundaries nahi hoti. Honi bhi nahi chahiye.”
“Yeh ek cheez hai—sports aur humari creative field—jahaan par our creativity is born from freedom. So I wish that for everyone. There is no Sarhad for that.”
(Translation: “Look, I don’t know much about all that. All I know is that there should be no boundaries when it comes to talent and creativity. There must not be any. Because this—just like sports and our creative fields—is something where creativity is born from freedom. So I wish that for everyone. There are no borders for that.”)
Sen’s remarks come at a sensitive time, as tensions between the two countries have often led to a ban on Pakistani artists working in India. Yet, her message resonates with a growing voice within the entertainment community advocating for freedom of artistic exchange, irrespective of nationality.
Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan, who won hearts in films like Kapoor & Sons and Khoobsurat, is set to return to the big screen with Abir Gulaal, directed by Aarti S Bagdi. The film, also starring Vaani Kapoor, is slated for theatrical release on May 9, 2025.
