India Blocks Instagram Accounts of Hania Aamir and Other Pakistani Celebrities

Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again—this time hitting the entertainment world. Several popular Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly, have had their Instagram accounts blocked in India.

When Indian users try to access these profiles, they’re met with a message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” Interestingly, stars like Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali are still accessible, for now.

The move comes after a tragic April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. India has pinned the blame on Pakistan, though no solid evidence has been presented. The fallout has impacted cultural ties—Hania Aamir has reportedly been dropped from a Bollywood project with Diljit Dosanjh, and Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, scheduled for May 9, has been removed from Indian platforms.

This isn’t the first time the Indian government has taken such steps. After the 2016 Uri attack, a blanket ban was enforced on Pakistani talent in Bollywood. While the restriction briefly lifted in 2023, the latest incident has seemingly reignited the ban, backed strongly by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

Pakistani artists have long enjoyed a loyal Indian fan base, especially through cross-border collaborations and viral dramas. But repeated bans and rising nationalism in Bollywood—seen in films like Raazi, Pathaan, and The Kashmir Files—are steadily eroding those cultural bridges.

Read More: Indian Fans ‘Ship’ Water Bottles for Hania Aamir Amid Rising Tensions: Watch