Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is allegedly in talks to debut in L2: Empuraan, a highly anticipated Malayalam film. After the Bombay High Court lifted the prohibition on Pakistani artists, News18 and the Free Press Journal reported that Mahira may play a key role alongside Mohanlal in Lucifer’s sequel.
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran has not confirmed Mahira’s potential involvement in L2: Empuraan. However, Prithviraj, his wife Supriya Menon, and Mahira, with her husband Salim Karim, are close friends, sparking conjecture. A Maldives vacation group photo went viral, fueling the rumors.
In an earlier interview with a local network, the superstar praised Malayalam cinema and encouraged her fans to see it. She admired Malayalam films’ plot, acting, and production quality and wanted to work in them.
The actor emphasized in the interview that she meant Malayalam cinema, not Tamil or Telugu. Speculation is that Mahira’s Malayalam film debut will be L2: Empuraan, a prequel and sequel to Lucifer.
L2: Empuraan may star Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Sai Kumar, Baiju Santhosh, and Shivaji Guruvayoor. Aashirvad Cinemas and Lyca Productions produced the film, which may introduce Mahira to Malayalam cinema.
Pakistan and India’s vibrant cultural interchange maintained many’s aspirations for art’s unity until seven years ago. From Atif Aslam’s Bollywood success to Naseeruddin Shah’s role in Khuda Kay Liye, artists advocated for good relations between neighboring countries.
After the 2016 attack on the Indian army post in Uri, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) banned Pakistani actors and professionals, holding Pakistan culpable and ending many fruitful partnerships.
Indian media reported that the Bombay High Court rejected a petition to restrict Pakistani singers from performing in India. According to Livemint, Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, a self-described artist and cine worker, filed a legal petition requesting that the Indian government forbid professional association with Pakistani artists.
The petition prohibited Indian citizens and companies from hiring, soliciting, or collaborating with Pakistani film personnel, musicians, vocalists, lyricists, and technicians. The division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla rejected the plea. The court said such a move would be a step backward in cultural peace and togetherness in India and Pakistan.
According to Indian media, the court noted that hatred toward foreigners, especially neighbors, is not patriotism. “A true patriot is unselfish and committed to his nation, which requires a decent heart. “Good people welcome any activity that promotes peace, harmony, and tranquility within and across borders,” Indian newswires said.
“One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad, especially from the neighboring country,” the judge stated. The bench noted that music, sports, culture, and dancing unite people across borders. They remarked that such initiatives promote international peace and harmony.
