Entertainment
Ahsan Khan Faces Backlash After Meeting With Javed Akhtar
Ahsan Khan, a celebrated name in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, has recently found himself at the center of a heated social media storm. The actor and host, admired for his charm, was seen attending an event in the UK alongside renowned Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar and veteran actress Shabana Azmi. While the gathering was meant to highlight cultural ties and artistic unity, it instead stirred intense emotions across Pakistan, mainly due to Javed Akhtar’s previously controversial remarks about the country.
@murtazaviews Poet and writer Javed Akhtar with actor Ahsan Khan, celebrating art beyond boundaries at an event in the UK Parliament #AhsanKhan #ShabanaAzmi #LondonDiaries #BollywoodMeetsLollywood @azmishabana18 @khanahsanofficial
During the UK event, Ahsan Khan emphasised the power of dialogue and togetherness. Speaking with sincerity, he expressed, “It’s time we all stand for peace—not politics.” He reiterated that artists should lead the charge in mending bridges, not burning them. However, many Pakistanis found it hard to overlook Javed Akhtar’s past comments, in which he accused Pakistan of harbouring hatred and supported aggressive posturing against it.
Social media quickly exploded with contrasting views; some fans praised Ahsan for showing maturity and choosing diplomacy over division. Others felt deeply disappointed, interpreting the actor’s presence with Akhtar as a betrayal of national sentiment.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, users voiced their thoughts under trending hashtags like #AhsanKhan and #JavedAkhtar. Critics argued that sharing a stage with someone who has openly disrespected Pakistan was tone-deaf and insensitive, especially after recent Indo-Pak tensions nearly escalated into conflict. Supporters, however, reminded everyone that art often succeeds where politics fails—and that peace demands courage from both sides.