India’s Long History of Welcoming Pakistani Artistes Reflects Deep Cultural Ties
India and Pakistan have long shared a rich cultural heritage, often transcending political boundaries. According to Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India, the Indian entertainment industry has consistently welcomed talent from across the border. Legendary names such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, and Noor Jehan were celebrated in India for their extraordinary contributions to music.
These artistes were not just performers but cultural ambassadors who brought people together during more peaceful times. Akhtar fondly recalls how Indian audiences embraced these musicians wholeheartedly. This warm hospitality was not just social but often official, with Pakistani performers receiving state-level respect during their visits to India.
However, Akhtar pointed out that the gesture of goodwill has rarely been mutual. Despite Indian icons like Lata Mangeshkar enjoying immense popularity in Pakistan during the 1960s and 1970s, she never performed there. According to Akhtar, it wasn’t the people who objected, but a systemic resistance that kept such cultural exchanges from becoming truly bilateral. This one-way cultural traffic has created fatigue and frustration, as there’s little to show for India’s efforts to keep the cultural door open.
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Current Geopolitical Tensions Make Cultural Collaboration Unfeasible, Says Javed Akhtar
Speaking in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, Javed Akhtar stressed that now is not the time to consider allowing Pakistani artistes into India. He remarked that given the strained political environment, any talk of cultural collaboration would be ill-timed and potentially inflammatory.
In the interview, Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India made it clear that meaningful dialogue and artistic collaboration require a baseline of mutual respect. “This could be thought about in better times,” he said, “and hopefully after some years, some sense will prevail.” His statement underscores the importance of waiting for a more stable political atmosphere before reopening such sensitive conversations.
He referenced the current controversy surrounding Abir Gulaal, a film featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, which has been barred from releasing in India due to national security concerns. Akhtar believes that a debate on Pakistani artistes in India should be postponed until tensions ease and a spirit of cooperation is genuinely possible.
Art Should Unite, But Extremist Agendas Exploit These Divides for Political Gain
Javed Akhtar cautioned that bans on Pakistani artistes do more than just affect cultural ties—they serve the narratives of extremist factions. He argued that hardliners in Pakistan benefit from these bans because they prefer to keep their citizens isolated from Indian society. “They want the distance because that suits them,” Akhtar said, emphasizing that allowing cultural exchange weakens the propaganda used by fundamentalist groups.
Akhtar’s perspective suggests that Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India is not simply about celebrity or entertainment—it’s deeply tied to political and ideological strategy. When Pakistani artistes return home with stories of India’s diversity, democracy, and freedom, it challenges extremist narratives and brings people closer.
Therefore, cutting off these channels serves the opposite of peace-building. Instead of isolating people, Akhtar believes that cultural exchange can act as a powerful counter-narrative to hatred and misinformation.
Javed Akhtar Advocates for Cultural Diplomacy, But Only When Mutual Respect Exists
Throughout his career, Akhtar has emphasized the power of culture and art to bridge divides and create understanding. He recalled how the great poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz was treated like royalty when he visited India, especially during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. Faiz was not just seen as a Pakistani poet, but as a universal voice of the subcontinent.
In emphasizing this, Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India reaffirms that cultural figures should not be limited by national identities. However, he also stressed that such generosity must be mutual. “We don’t get any response from you, but that will go on till when?” he asked rhetorically, pointing to the asymmetry in cross-border artistic cooperation.
Akhtar made it clear that his frustrations are not with the people of Pakistan, who have consistently shown appreciation for Indian art and music. His criticism is directed at the Pakistani establishment, which, in his view, has not done enough to support similar exchanges.
A Call for Balance: Future Cultural Collaboration Depends on Political Maturity and Reciprocity
While Akhtar remains hopeful for improved cultural ties in the future, he emphasized that India cannot continue to offer opportunities unilaterally. Any future collaborations should be based on equality, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace.
He is not opposed to Pakistani artistes working in India. In fact, Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India advocates for such collaborations—but only when there is clear evidence of goodwill from both sides. Until then, such discussions, he says, are better left for a later time.
Akhtar concluded that the decision to allow Pakistani artistes must come from a place of clarity and collective understanding, not compulsion or blind optimism. “In this kind of one-way traffic, there once comes a tiredness,” he said—a sentiment that captures the current fatigue felt by many in India regarding the lack of reciprocity.
Cultural Ties Can Heal, But Only With Equal Participation and Political Will
Javed Akhtar’s comments are a sobering reminder of the challenges that come with cultural diplomacy. As much as art and music can heal, they cannot thrive in an environment where hostility overshadows harmony. While India has often extended its hand to Pakistani artistes, the lack of response has created frustration among even the most liberal voices.
Javed Akhtar on Pakistani artistes in India is not just a commentary on entertainment—it’s a broader reflection on how art, politics, and public sentiment are deeply interconnected. The road ahead may be uncertain, but voices like Akhtar’s continue to call for balance, honesty, and above all, mutual respect.
