Former Bollywood star Twinkle Khanna has proposed a radical idea to challenge India’s unspoken ban on Pakistani artists: re-dubbing all of Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum’s legendary songs with the voice of viral Indian internet sensation Dhinchak Pooja.
In her latest column for The Times of India, Khanna made a playful suggestion, reflecting on the growing exclusion of Pakistani talent from Indian entertainment platforms. Without an official ban, Pakistani artists are quietly removing or altering films and songs featuring them.
She cited a recent example while listening to the soundtrack of Sanam Teri Kasam on Spotify, where the original album cover was altered to exclude Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane. The pattern, she noted, wasn’t isolated. Celebrities like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have also been digitally scrubbed from promotional materials for films such as Kapoor & Sons and Raees, despite their leading roles.
With her signature wit, Khanna wrote, “Not wanting to be left behind in doing my duty as a good citizen, I propose that we get all of Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum’s songs re-dubbed by our very own Dhinchak Pooja. That will truly impart a valuable lesson to the Pakistanis.
This comes amid rising Indo-Pak tensions, which have led to unofficial censorship across platforms. One such fallout was actor Harshvardhan Rane’s public vow not to work with Mawra Hocane again, accusing her of calling Indian military actions “cowardly.” Hocane dismissed the claims, calling it a publicity stunt.
Adding to the growing list of controversies, the highly anticipated Indo-Pak film Abir Gulaal, starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, has now been banned in both countries, with its songs also taken off YouTube India.
