While social media is abuzz with debates over Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood, one voice from across the border has stood out, and surprisingly, it’s none other than Sunny Deol.
In a recent interview with HT City, the Indian actor and politician responded to a question about Fawad Khan’s reported comeback to Bollywood with a new film. Instead of dodging the delicate subject of cross-border talent collaborations, Sunny delivered a direct and thoughtful reply: “We work for everyone.”
The Gadar star, often linked to patriotic films, adopted a mature viewpoint, stating, “As an artist, I think we should just do our work and not get into anything else.”
This comes at a time when Indian social media platforms are divided between excitement and mixed opinions over Fawad’s return to Indian screens. Some are thrilled to see the Zindagi Gulzar Hai heartthrob grace Bollywood again after nearly a decade, while others view it as controversial.
However, with Sunny Deol, a figure traditionally associated with nationalist cinema, openly insisting that there shouldn’t be any problem working with Pakistani artists, the prevailing narrative may be undergoing a change.
Fawad’s last film appearance in Bollywood was in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil back in 2016. Following the Uri attacks, Pakistani actors encountered an unofficial ban on working in India, resulting in multiple projects being cancelled. Yet here we are in 2025, with a prominent Indian filmmaker casting Fawad in a significant role and receiving support from an Indian actor-politician.
Will this signify a new phase for cross-border cinema, or will the backlash overshadow it before it even starts? Regardless, one thing is certain: art continues to possess the ability to unite.
