Actor Durefishan Saleem has come out in support of fellow actor Fawad Khan, who is facing backlash for his “neutral” response to India’s May 7 air strikes on Pakistan that led to civilian casualties. Critics slammed Khan for not directly naming India in his statement, despite calling the attack “shameful” and urging for calm.
Durefishan reposted a piece by journalist Sadiq Saleem, emphasizing his words: “Turning patriotism into a popularity contest and bullying your own is the problem.” Her gesture highlighted the rising trend of online pressure on public figures to adopt hardline stances.
Read more: Fawad Khan’s Cross-Border Film Faces Dual Ban Amid Rising Tensions
Fawad Khan, whose Bollywood comeback film Abir Gulaal has reportedly stalled due to the Pahalgam incident, shared a message on Instagram expressing deep condolences for the victims. He called for restraint, stating, “Please stop stoking the flames with rabble-rousing words. It is not worth the lives of innocent people.”
Although India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, the controversy surrounding Pakistani celebrities and content continues, with India’s entertainment sector maintaining restrictions.
