Renowned Telugu actress Lakshmi Manchu has openly criticized the increasing restrictions on Pakistani artists, challenging the fairness of such bans and censorship.
Speaking amid the controversy surrounding Sardaar Ji 3—which stars Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir—Lakshmi questioned the decision to block the film’s release in India following objections from local film bodies.
She voiced her frustration over the politicisation of art and targeted the logic of punishing creative professionals. “Are Pakistani artists really a threat?” she asked, calling the outrage over cross-border collaborations deeply misplaced.
She defended the role of art as a force above political tensions and condemned the Instagram account suspensions affecting Pakistani celebrities, labeling them a violation of free expression. “If we treat them like this, where is the India we are proud of?” she questioned.
Lakshmi Manchu strongly opposed blanket bans on Pakistani talent, arguing that such measures damage the cultural bridge the arts can build between nations. “Artists rise above nationalities,” she said, adding, “To say ‘you can’t do this’ to an artist simply because of their background undermines everything art stands for.”
Also Read: Hania Aamir and Diljit Dosanjh’s Sardaar Ji 3 Cleared for Release in Pakistan and Overseas Today
