EXCLUSIVE: Sanam Teri Kasam director Vinay Sapru reacts to BAN on Pakistani actors in Bollywood; says, “Don’t want to comment on…”

Vinay Sapru is an Indian film director. He is known for his work in Mohra (1994) and Lucky: No Time for Love (2005). Vinay last worked for the film, I Love NY (2015). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Sanam Teri Kasam director Vinay Sapru opens up on the ban on Pakistani actors.

Vinay Sapru on ban of Pakistani actors

Talking about whether it is justified to ban Pakistani actors in India, Vinay Sapru said, “I don’t want to comment on political things. You know, those who have done it, I am sure they have their own reasons. They must be right in their own way. Why they did it—those who did it—because there was an official ban.”

Why were Pakistani actors banned?

India imposed a ban on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood after the 2016 Uri attack, following heightened tensions between the two countries. The ban was enforced by various film associations, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), which restricted Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians from working in the Indian film industry.

Before this restriction, several Pakistani artists had successfully made their mark in Bollywood. Actors like Fawad Khan (Kapoor & Sons, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), Mahira Khan (Raees opposite Shah Rukh Khan), and Ali Zafar (Tere Bin Laden, Dear Zindagi) gained significant popularity.

Singers such as Atif Aslam (Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Jeene Laga Hoon), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Tere Mast Mast Do Nain, Dagabaaz Re), and Shafqat Amanat Ali (Mitwa, Bin Tere) also contributed to numerous hit songs. Despite their success, rising political tensions led to their departure from Bollywood, creating a lasting impact on India-Pakistan cultural collaborations.

Watch the full interview

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