Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor recently stirred online buzz by posting throwback photos with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

The pictures, taken from their 2014 hit Khoobsurat, appeared on her official Facebook page and sparked nostalgia, sarcasm, and political commentary in the comments. The film marked Fawad’s Bollywood debut and catapulted him to fame in India.

Sonam captioned the stills, “Magic on screen with Fawad Khan,” rekindling memories of their endearing on-screen chemistry. In the film, Fawad portrayed Prince Vikram Singh Rathore opposite Sonam, a role that won him the Best Debut Male award at the Filmfare Awards.

Fans flooded the post with reactions. While many praised the duo as a “one-time Jodi with endless memories,” others responded with mockery and sarcasm.

One user quipped, “I think every time Sonam fights with her husband, she posts these pics. And she has posted them a lot of times.” Another added, “Ah… so Sonam is stuck in the never-ending cycle of Fawad charm? I get it.”

Some criticized Bollywood itself, with one user writing, “RIP Bollywood.” Others introduced political undertones, commenting, “Go Pakistan and do romance with him,” and, “Your memories are burning your own Indians.”

Amid the controversy, several Pakistani fans expressed affection and support, commenting, “Love from Pakistan, both are looking fantastic.”

The post surfaced during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Relations deteriorated further after the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 civilians, including tourists, died. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, a claim Islamabad denied as baseless.

In response, India intensified a digital and diplomatic clampdown on Pakistan, blocking social media accounts of several Pakistani public figures. The crackdown affected actors like Fawad Khan, singer Atif Aslam, and cricketers including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and retired legends Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram, as well as the Instagram account of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister and cricket star.

Also Read: Sonam Kapoor Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane, Sharing ‘Khoobsurat’ Memories with Fawad Khan

Pakistani actor Inaya Khan revealed that Afghan cricket star Rashid Khan contacted her on social media and asked for her photos.

In a recent interview, Inaya shared that Rashid Khan added her on Snapchat and started chatting with her. She said Rashid asked, “Are you an actor?” and told her that her photos made him think she was part of the entertainment industry.

Inaya added that Rashid is still on her Snapchat and that a mutual friend initially connected them. She said he often checks in on her, asks about her shooting schedule, and chats about Pakistan-India cricket matches.

Speaking about her ideal partner, Inaya said she prefers calm, tall men.

Notably, Rashid Khan got married in October 2023 in Kabul, with photos from the Pashtun-style ceremony going viral. Former Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi and other teammates attended the event.

Also Read: Atif Aslam Recalls Hamza-Naimal’s Pre-Wedding Texts

Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi recently created quite a stir after appearing on a podcast hosted by journalist Mansoor Ali Khan. During the conversation, Hamza spoke openly about his views on Imran Khan’s politics and criticized the way Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has handled things in the past. He particularly condemned the protest marches and the events of May 9, calling them “totally wrong.”

Hamza explained that politics should not be treated as a fight between absolute right and absolute wrong. According to him, Imran Khan should have avoided a confrontational approach and instead focused on peaceful dialogue and political solutions. His views sparked immediate backlash, especially from PTI supporters on social media, and led to intense online debates on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

Hamza had once been quite active in PTI himself. He even served as PTI’s culture secretary until he resigned in April 2015. At the time, he explained his decision in a Facebook post, saying that his personal values clashed with the demands of his upcoming film work. Even after stepping down, he remained a vocal supporter of the party for years. That’s why many were surprised and disappointed by his recent criticism.

Some users on X shared their frustration, saying they expected political disagreement from Hamza but were shocked by his harsh tone. One comment noted that people like him often claim to have changed but expect everyone else to change in the same way, without understanding others’ perspectives.

In the podcast, Hamza admitted he was genuinely happy when Imran Khan became Prime Minister in 2018 because he had supported that political journey since 2013. However, he also mentioned that his activism ended when Khan assumed office. When asked if Imran Khan’s time in office lived up to expectations, Hamza responded that while some good things did happen—like improved economic activity and foreign relations—things also became deeply polarized, especially after the political confrontation that began in 2022.

Hamza urged everyone to avoid further clashes. He said that there should be no confrontation from any side—not from Imran Khan, the Army, or the ruling parties—because all of them are ultimately part of the same country. He expressed hope for peaceful resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.

When Mansoor asked whether the events of May 9—when military installations were attacked—could have changed the political situation, Hamza firmly stated that such actions were wrong. He emphasized that violent confrontation with the army was not the solution. He reminded people that the military is made up of their own fellow citizens—their relatives, their neighbors. While mistakes can happen, they should be addressed together, through respectful discussion rather than fighting.

Hamza also expressed concern about the possible consequences if power shifted away from the military in a disorderly fashion. He warned that such instability could have dangerous consequences, especially in a country where everyone seems eager to take power into their own hands.

He then made a personal appeal to military officials, saying that the army belongs to the people of Pakistan and must be engaged with through dialogue, not hostility. He also reached out to Imran Khan, urging him to be careful and consider the bigger picture. Hamza warned that if something were to happen to Khan while he is in jail, it could provoke a dangerous reaction, as many people already feel that their political voice is being suppressed.

Hamza Ali Abbasi on Politics

Later in the podcast, Mansoor asked Hamza if the real problem lies in Pakistan’s political system, especially the role of the establishment in helping Imran Khan rise to power from his 2014 sit-in protest to becoming Prime Minister in 2018. Hamza admitted that the establishment’s involvement in politics is no secret, and it is indeed part of the problem. However, he again emphasized that confrontation would only make things worse.

When asked what advice he would give Imran Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi said that Khan probably knows what’s best for himself. Still, he urged him not to pursue confrontation, agitation, or violence. Instead, he advised Imran Khan to negotiate, even if it means compromising and only achieving part of his demands. For Hamza, progress through dialogue—even if slow—is still a step forward for the country.

Also Read: Hamza Ali Abbasi Speaks Out on Officiating Friend’s Nikkah