'Raees' director thinks it’s time Pakistani actors came back to Bollywood

Dholakia shared his thoughts on the social media platform, X

The Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan-starrer Raees was quite possibly one of the most memorable moments for collaboration between Bollywood and Lollywood. Releasing in 2017, Indian filmmaker Rahul Dholakia’s directorial project poses as one of the few moments that allowed Pakistani actors to put their talent to the test at new heights, marking the debut for Pakistani actor Khan as well.

Thinking back to his days working on Raees, it seems that the Indian director believes it to be time that entertainment industries of the neighboring countries collaborate more frequently. As Pakistani cricketers touched down on Indian soil for the first time in seven years to play the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Dholakia took to the social media platform X to share his thoughts.

He called, “Now that Pakistani cricketers are officially here, can we also invite Pakistani actors to act in our films? Or musicians to perform?”

Now that #Pakistani cricketers are officially here, can we also invite Pakistani actors to act in our films ? Or Musicians to perform?

— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) September 28, 2023

At the time of the film’s release, the Humsafar actor was not allowed to promote the film in India. Speaking to Bollywood Hangama, the actor had said, "Whether it was Shah Rukh Khan, Ritesh Batra, Farhan Akhtar or Rahul, they all have been so amazing. It was important for Raees to be released and do well at the box office. At the end of the day it's all about films, which is bigger than all of us combined."

Finding this clip “sweet,” Dholakia had shared the clip to his X account, expressing, “Somewhere I feel we have wronged her. Our people forgot that she is an artist, not the enemy! We took away her right as an actor! Unfair.”

So sweet ! Somewhere I feel We have wronged her. our people forgot that she is an artist, not the enemy ! we took away her right as an actor ! Unfair. @TheMahiraKhan you are wonderful and thank you for being a part of #Raees https://t.co/pFMutxN1qq

— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) December 15, 2017

The decision to ban Pakistani artists altogether was taken back in 2019 where India issued a “strict no” to Pakistan for any sort of trade or bilateral relations. “In relation to Pakistani government banning Indian movies in Pakistan AICWA (All Indian Cine Workers Association) urges all the film industries to put a complete stop to any association with Pakistani artists, musicians, and diplomats,” the statement had read in response to Pakistan’s own ban on Indian films.

AICWA demands a complete No on Pakistani Artists,Diplomats & Bilateral Relations with Pakistan and its people @ANI @abpnewshindi @aajtak @TimesNow @INTUCnational @RVikhePatil pic.twitter.com/YzQ4tGFLFU

— All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAofficial) August 9, 2019