Delhi/Karachi: In the wake of rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, a trifecta of controversy has erupted—spanning Bollywood celebrities, corporate partnerships, and the broader cultural battleground of social media.
Pakistani actress Ayeza Khan is facing a storm of criticism after sharing what many interpreted as a neutral message during the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
On her Instagram, she posted: “I stand with Humanity. Humanity comes first above religion, race, nationality, politics, or personal interests.” While meant to promote peace, the statement was widely slammed by netizens for sidestepping the specific humanitarian crises in the region.
A viral tweet mocked her for allegedly trying to retain her Indian fanbase, accusing her of performative neutrality.
Khan eventually edited the caption to read “I stand with Pakistan #pakistanzindabad” and disabled comments, but the backlash persisted—many accusing her of a consistent pattern of ambiguity, pointing to a previous incident where she deleted a pro-Palestine post.
Adding fuel to the fire, Indian actress Rupali Ganguly publicly condemned fellow actor Fawad Khan for his post criticizing India’s military operation named Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched in retaliation for a deadly attack in Pahalgam, targeted what India claims were terrorist centers in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Khan, known for his crossover appeal in Bollywood, labeled the operation aggressive and inhumane. Ganguly’s response struck a nationalist tone, calling his criticism “shameful” and rallying Indian netizens to back her stance. The clash quickly became a flashpoint in the cultural war unfolding online, pitting patriotism against pan-regional celebrity diplomacy.
Amidst the growing tension, another controversy exploded when Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries made headlines after its entertainment arm, Jio Studios, filed a trademark application for “Operation Sindoor.” The move was widely seen as an attempt to commercially capitalize on a sensitive military action. Following a public and political uproar, Reliance retracted the application, stating it was filed inadvertently by a junior staff member.
However, the explanation did little to calm critics. An X user called the act “blatant mockery,” while opposition party members accused Ambani of exploiting national tragedy for business gains. The application, intended for “entertainment production,” echoes a trend in Bollywood of turning military operations into blockbuster films—like 2019’s Uri, a commercial success based on earlier Indian strikes in Pakistan.
These overlapping controversies underline a broader shift: as tensions flare at the border, public figures and corporations alike are being pulled into the arena of political accountability. The expectation for clear allegiances has never been higher, especially in the hyper-visible world of social media.
The developments come amid wider concerns in the region. Pakistan’s defence ministry has denied convening a meeting of its top nuclear command, but Indian officials accuse Islamabad of escalating tensions at the border. Meanwhile, international voices—including the G7 and U.S. diplomats—are calling for dialogue and restraint, warning that unchecked escalation could spiral further.
At the intersection of art, commerce, and international politics, the fallout continues to unfold—testing the limits of neutrality and the consequences of silence
