In a significant development reflecting the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has been digitally removed from the poster of the Bollywood film Kapoor & Sons on Spotify. The updated artwork now features only Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, omitting Fawad’s character entirely.
This alteration is part of a broader trend where Pakistani actors are being edited out from promotional materials on major music platforms. For instance, Mahira Khan’s image has been removed from the Raees album cover, leaving only Shah Rukh Khan visible. Similarly, Mawra Hocane has been erased from the album cover of Sanam Teri Kasam, with only Harshvardhan Rane remaining.
These changes follow the Indian government’s advisory issued on May 8, 2025, directing OTT platforms to remove content of Pakistani origin. The directive came in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The advisory stated: “In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect.”
While no official statements have been made by Spotify, YouTube Music, or the production houses regarding these updates, the actions are being viewed as part of a wider move to reduce the presence of Pakistani artists in Indian content amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The removal of Fawad Khan from the Kapoor & Sons poster and similar actions signify a significant shift in the cultural landscape, reflecting the complex interplay between politics and the entertainment industry in the region.
