It seems that entertainers from both sides of the India-Pakistan border are ignoring the suggestion that they cease working together. It was widely reported that at the launch of Filmfare magazine in Dubai, Pakistani heart-throb Fawad Khan and Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone would share a stage. But that wasn’t the main excitement behind Khan’s appearance.
Filmfare Middle East honored Khan on its UAE relaunch with a Cinematic Icon Pakistan/India Award.
It was presented to him by filmmaker and collaborator Karan Johar and designer Manish Malhotra, for whom Khan walked the ramp for as a show stopper alongside Padukone in 2016.
Filmfare’s move could be seen as a bridging of relations after the sharing of talent between the two countries had become further and further scrutinized and politicized over the past few years. The Middle East is a neutral middle ground for stars from both sides of the border to rub shoulders.
Khan’s relationship with Bollywood took a sour turn when after two mega-hits (arguably three with ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’) relations between the two countries soured with reports of many deals and roles slipping out of the in-demand actor’s hands. Clips from all three films, including ‘Kapoor and Sons’ and ‘Khoobsurat,’ played before the actor received his award.
Filmfare is a longstanding Indian entertainment publication that focuses on Bollywood.
The Middle East is a big Bollywood consumer and home to a large population of South Asians from across the subcontinent. Filmfare’s ME edition will expand beyond the B-town stars and also highlight Pakistan as well as local film news.
Khan was joined at the event with fellow Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat, veteran Indian actor Jackie Shroff and actress Vidya Balan.
