‘Aao zara…hum bhe chai pila key hisaab lengay’: Celebs slam Hrithik, Deepika's upcoming anti-Pakistan movie

Indian filmmakers' fixation on melodrama consistently prompts them to resort to the easiest formula for success and that is, depicting Pakistan negatively. Since the theatrical surgical strike incident in 2016, Indian filmmakers, much like their government, persist in extracting significance from a failed operation that brought no advantages but instead resulted in an Indian pilot being taken hostage in Pakistan.

Set in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the upcoming film ‘Fighter’ revolves around the “Pulwama attack and a Pakistani surgical strike,” as revealed in its trailer. Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania (Hrithik Roshan), Squadron Leader Minal Rathore (portrayed by Deepika Padukone), along with their team led by Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh (played by Anil Kapoor), navigate through these events.

Following the trailer's release, it quickly gained traction on the internet in Pakistan, with people criticising India's hostile stance towards Pakistan. The widespread admiration for Indian stars among Pakistanis deepens the disappointment, considering their involvement in films that exacerbate animosities in an already tense bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Not only netizens, Pakistani celebrities have openly criticised the film for its overtly hateful content against Pakistan including offensive dialogues. Makeup artist and granddaughter of the legendary singer Noor Jehan, Natasha Baig, took to Instagram to articulate her disillusionment with Bollywood's latest release.

She said, “Over the years the Indian friends I’ve made have always exuded the same warmth, acceptance & love. Hence when I see trailers like this one I really feel something must be said about not promoting hateful agenda / content on platforms as huge as the Bollywood film industry.” 

Zara Noor Abbas vehemently criticised the production of such films on her Instagram story. She highlighted the illogical nature of portraying scenarios “where neither Pakistan nor India can occupy each other,” emphasising “Kashmir's right to an independent state.” She remarked that “while one can foster love through art, the influence of Narendra Modi prevents Bollywood from doing so.”

The trailer of the Bolywood's latest jingoistic offering faced backlash from 'X' users for its repellent narrative and the stereotypical portarayal of Muslims. 

Pakistan mentioned ✅
Called them Te4404ist ✅
POK mentioned ✅
Faltu Aggression/patriotism ✅

Recipe for a “HIT” Indian movie: https://t.co/XLK0Je0w4D

— c (@gayomarlic) January 15, 2024

Did they make an entire film about a period of heightened tension which resulted in THEIR pilot getting captured by Pakistani forces??? Matlab at least let 10 yrs pass before altering history no https://t.co/LX6mFxIh0W

— Rutaba | رُطابہ (@rtnvir) January 15, 2024

Indian propaganda machine is something else because this isn’t some obscure event from the 50s.

It happened 4 years ago and resulted in one Indian Jet shot down by Pakistan and one Indian helicopter shot down by India itself. What is the point of this movie? https://t.co/RLOznnRmiP

— Huzaifa (@MHuzaifaNizam) January 15, 2024

So apparently the "evil" Pakistani jet fighter pilots also wear kohl in their eyes pic.twitter.com/fgwWZxVJ66

— Asim Burney (@asimburney) January 15, 2024