- Saturday, April 26, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, known for her role alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, has sparked outrage among Indian netizens after she deleted her Instagram story condemning the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday (22), saw unarmed tourists in Kashmir targeted by terrorists, resulting in the death of 26 civilians and leaving several others injured. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot based in Pakistan, later claimed responsibility for the brutal assault.
On Thursday (24), Mahira Khan posted a story on her Instagram, stating, “Violence anywhere in the world, in any form, is an act of mere cowardice. My condolences to all those affected by the Pahalgam attack.” However, within hours, the actress removed the post, which quickly drew widespread criticism. Furious Indian social media users called out Mahira Khan for her selective outrage and accused her of bowing to political pressure back home.
The backlash against Mahira Khan comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s reinforced ban on Pakistani artists in Bollywood. Many feel her deletion of the post reflects a lack of sincerity and undermines her initial expression of solidarity with the victims.
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan expresses condolences after the Pahalgam terror attack but faces online trolling due to her delayed response. Known for her Bollywood debut in Raees, Mahira’s statement has sparked debate on social media. Read more about the controversy surrounding… pic.twitter.com/FHJ7QhM41k
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 25, 2025
Mahira Khan, who rose to international fame through the popular series Humsafar alongside Fawad Khan, also starred in The Legend of Maula Jatt and Neelofar. Despite her Bollywood breakthrough in 2017, Indian public sentiment has remained divided over the participation of Pakistani artists in Indian cinema, especially after major terror attacks.
Adding to the controversy, Pakistani actress Hania Aamir also faced flak from Indian netizens. Although Hania condemned the Pahalgam attack on social media, her recent Instagram story featuring the Bollywood song “Chikni Chameli” led to accusations of pandering to Indian audiences. Hania, who was reportedly set to debut in an Indian film alongside Diljit Dosanjh in June 2025, now faces uncertainty regarding her project’s release amid growing calls for boycotts.
Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh himself has faced online criticism for his collaboration with Hania, with hashtags like “Boycott Sardaarji 3” trending shortly after the attack.
The Pahalgam terror attack is being described as one of the deadliest incidents in the Valley since the Pulwama bombing in 2019. In response, several Bollywood celebrities canceled promotional events, pre-release screenings, and public appearances as a mark of respect for the victims. Calls for stronger action against terror outfits and their supporters continue to dominate social discourse in India.
As the aftermath unfolds, Mahira Khan’s move to delete her initial post is being seen as a grave misstep by many Indians, further straining cultural ties between the neighboring countries.
