Kartik Aaryan Becomes Target of India’s ‘Pakistan Phobia’

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan has become the latest victim of India’s growing nationalism and anti-Pakistan sentiment, as the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a stern warning against his participation in an event at a Pakistani-owned restaurant. The event, meant to celebrate India’s Independence Day, is being hosted at “Aagaz Restaurant and Catering” in Houston, USA, which is owned by Pakistani entrepreneur Shaukat Mirdia.
The FWICE, a self-proclaimed patriotic organization, took issue with the fact that a Pakistani-owned restaurant was involved in hosting the event, despite the celebration being dedicated to India’s Independence Day. In a letter to Kartik Aaryan, the FWICE praised his achievements, calling him “a shining star of Indian cinema” and “a role model for the youth of the nation.” However, the tone quickly changed as they warned him that participating in an event held by a Pakistani business owner could be “against national interests.”
The event, dubbed “Azadi Utsav” (Independence Celebration), was scheduled for August 15, and the restaurant’s owner also planned to host another event for Pakistan’s Independence Day later that week, featuring a performance by Pakistani singer Atif Aslam. The FWICE’s objection stems from the fact that the venue is owned by a Pakistani, which, according to the organization, taints the event, regardless of its theme or purpose.
Kartik Aaryan’s team swiftly responded, clarifying that the actor had never agreed to attend the event, nor was he involved in any promotional material. They further stated that they had asked the organizers to remove his name and images from the event’s promotional materials.
Interestingly, FWICE’s objection appears to be more about the nationality of the restaurant owner than any actual association between Kartik Aaryan and the Pakistani event. The irony lies in the fact that Indian actors often perform in Pakistan without facing such scrutiny when the political climate is more favorable.
In their letter, the FWICE also referenced past conflicts, including the “Pahalgam attack,” to justify their position that no Indian artist should be involved with any Pakistani-related activities, whether it be a Pakistani-run restaurant in the U.S. or a show hosted by a Pakistani individual.
Despite the controversy, Kartik Aaryan has chosen to remain silent on the matter, while his team has distanced him from any political fallout. This incident raises questions about the increasing influence of nationalism on Indian entertainment and whether it is being used to fuel media sensationalism.