‘Replace Abida Parveen’s Songs with Dhinchak Pooja:’ Twinkle Khanna Takes Dig at India’s Ban on Pakistani Artists

As tensions surrounding Pakistani artists in Indian entertainment continue to rise, former Bollywood actress and columnist Twinkle Khanna has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to the escalating censorship.

In her latest column, Khanna mocked the growing restrictions by proposing a hilariously absurd solution—replacing the soulful voices of legendary Pakistani singers with viral Indian internet sensation Dhinchak Pooja.

Khanna’s comments came in response to the recent wave of digital censorship, which has seen Pakistani actors and musicians systematically removed from streaming platforms, posters, and film promotions. Streaming services like Spotify and YouTube Music have reportedly removed or altered visual materials featuring Pakistani stars, in line with government guidelines.

Reflecting on this in her column, Khanna wrote, “After the recent re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat. While browsing Spotify, I noticed that actor Mawra Hocane had been edited out of the album cover. Further digging revealed that other Pakistani stars like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have similarly been erased from digital posters.”

The removal of Mawra Hocane from the Sanam Teri Kasam promotional content marked the beginning of the current censorship campaign. Other prominent Pakistani artists have faced similar treatment—Fawad Khan has been removed from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Kapoor & Sons materials, while Mahira Khan no longer appears in promotional posters for Raees.

Twinkle Khanna, known for her sharp wit and irreverent commentary, responded to the situation with characteristic sarcasm. “Not wanting to be left behind in doing my duty as a good citizen,” she quipped, “I propose that we get all of Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum’s songs redubbed by our very own Dhinchak Pooja. That will really teach the Pakistanis a lesson.”

Her satirical remarks underscore the absurdity of erasing art and artists in the name of political posturing. The ongoing censorship has drawn criticism from both fans and free speech advocates who argue that politics should not interfere with cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.

The crackdown has not been limited to music or posters—OTT platforms and content creators have reportedly begun removing or muting content involving Pakistani performers, further narrowing the space for cross-border creative expression.

In a related development, Indian authorities have also blocked Instagram accounts of popular Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan and Hania Amir, further straining the already limited digital presence of Pakistani artists in Indian media.

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