Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut, Raees, has been making headlines since it was announced. While she was featured prominently in the songs and the trailer of the movie, there was a lot of speculation about whether she would do justice as Shah Rukh Khan's leading lady.
With the movie's release on Janary 25, the Indian media seemed to be divided over her debut performance. While some seem to love the Humsafar actor, referring to her as a breath of fresh air and the future 'Queen of Bollywood', others have not welcomed her with open arms.
However, fans on both sides of the border gave their stamp of approval to Mahira for aptly portraying her character, Aasiya, in Raees.
Udi Udi Jaye: Mahira, SRK stun in latest Raees stills
A Mumbai-based journalist, Faridoon Shehryar lauded Mahira's performance in Raees, tweeting:
. #UdiUdiJaye n #Zaalima have been picturised beautifully on SRK n Mahira n both share a sparkling chemistry #Raees
— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) January 25, 2017
Mahira looks beautiful n ensnares with her tehzeeb n 'ankhon ki nazakat'.She has a substantial n crucial role n she's an imp part of #Raees
— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) January 25, 2017
Some tweets by fans:
I 💖 your screen presence, Mahira! Stay blessed and keep up the good work! 😘 #Raees https://t.co/6hR9OH0aRc
— Ravi Kapoor (@RaviKapoor) January 26, 2017
@TheMahiraKhan get ready to flooded with followers and fans. With love from india :)
— JITENDRA TRIPATHI (@jitu06) January 25, 2017
Drop dead gorgeous & admirable @TheMahiraKhan shares enough screen space with #SRK & has done a superlative job in #Raees 👏👏😍😍 #RaeesDay !!!
— Smriti Singh (@SimplySmritii) January 25, 2017
@TheMahiraKhan saw raees on #RaeesDay u did a fantastic job congratulation. Love to see u again.U stole may hearts of Indian like me thank u
— Sanoj Yadav (@imsanoj07) January 25, 2017
Her famous Battery dialogue was hugely popular:
@TheMahiraKhan ur looking gorgeous and ur dialogue Batterny nahi bolneka and ur dress sense and expressions ur smile is so hot and classy
— Sai Amruth (@iamvsj) January 25, 2017
Mahira and Shah Rukh's sizzling chemistry was definitely matchless. Shedding light on this, a fan tweeted:
#Raeesreview Romantic moments & chemistry btwn Mahira Khan & SRK is absolutely endearing and beautiful. Zaalima song makes u croon -4
— Alamgeer Shah (@iAlamgeer) January 25, 2017
Many Pakistani celebrities also even came out to congratulate Mahira for her stellar performance in the film.
The story behind Mahira's famous dialogue 'Battery Saala'
Hina Khwaja was all praises for Mahira's role. She tweeted:
"From Khirad to Falaq to Aasiya - you have shone & will continue to sparkle!
From Khirad to Falaq to Aasiya - you have shone & will continue to sparkle! @TheMahiraKhan I know you will make Pakistan proud 💝
— Hina Khwaja Bayat (@HinaKhwajaBayat) January 25, 2017
Mawra Hocane also took to Twitter to wish the 'Raeeszadi' all her love. She tweeted:
All the luck to the legit #Raeeszadi !! Too proud of you M!!! @TheMahiraKhan 😘🙌🏻🌟❤⚡#Raees pic.twitter.com/UlD10jwqOF
— MAWRA HUSSAIN (@MawraHocane) January 25, 2017
Hareem Farooqi, too, sent her love to Mahira:
Goodluck for #Raees you'll shine in this one, just like always! Loads of love and prayers u superstar🌟 @TheMahiraKhan #proudofyou 👍🏻❤️🌟 pic.twitter.com/yC4NzlCBan
— Hareem Farooq (@FarooqHareem) January 25, 2017
Osman Khalid Butt gave the cutest shout out:
To Mahira, the Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi of Network Television & Film: congratulations on #Raees! So, so proud. @TheMahiraKhan
— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) January 25, 2017
Ali Zafar wished Mahira the best:
All the best @TheMahiraKhan for #Raees. May you shine.
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) January 24, 2017
Indian celebrities such as Sunny Leone and Mika Singh also hailed Mahira's performance.
Mika Singh tweeted:
Hi dear @TheMahiraKhan U are looking so beautiful & ur acting is so very natural in #Raees .But bhai @Nawazuddin_S A big salute to you 🙏🙌👏.
— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) January 26, 2017
Sunny and Mahira's Twitter exchange is the sweetest! Sunny showed Mahira her gratitude soon after the movie was released:
This is all you !!! You are amazing !!! 🙏🏻. Proud !!! https://t.co/fzKLTTIXMf
— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) January 26, 2017
#RAEES ;) We are just getting started !!!! @iamsrk @excelmovies @RedChilliesEnt @RaeesTheFilm @TheMahiraKhan PROUD !!!!
— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) January 26, 2017
Mahira's performance did not go unnoticed by many Indian critics as well.
Bollywood Hungama loved the Mahira-Shah Rukh action drama, and tweeted:
#BHReviewsRaees: @TheMahiraKhan looks gorgeous and handles her part with confidence in #Raees https://t.co/el0jUtSfGX pic.twitter.com/DgSmWBlI7o
— BollyHungama (@Bollyhungama) January 25, 2017
A review by News 18, praised Mahira's performance and her chemistry with Shah Rukh:
.@TheMahiraKhan's chemistry with @iamsrk has been loved by fans not just in India but across the border too. https://t.co/MTCSJvbJt6
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 25, 2017
While some reviews admired Mahira as Raees' leading lady, others were not as welcoming. Calling her performance insignificant and negligible, some reviews went on to say she was just a prop in the film.
Leading Indian media portals such as Hindustan Times, Bollywood Life, Pinkvilla, Times of India, and Indian Express also reported the lack of spark between Mahira and Shah Rukh, adding that she is just easy on the eyes.
It is important to note, however, that Mahira's debut comes at a time when deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India, and hypernationalism have spilled into the entertainment industry. Last year, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a right-wing Hindu political party, stated that they wouldn’t let Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan release their upcoming films unless all the scenes featuring Fawad and Mahira are chopped off. Further, the party had threatened all Pakistani artistes working in India to leave and return to their home country within 48 hours. Johar, as a result, released an apology, while the makers of Raees are said to have met MNS in regards to the movie.
In response, cinemas in Pakistan announced an unofficial ban on Indian movies.
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