In April, just days after sharing memorable moments from her trip to Pakistan, where she met stars like Fawad Khan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, legendary actress Mumtaz has called for the lifting of the ban on Pakistani artists in India.
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Mumtaz recounted the warm hospitality she received from Pakistani artists during her visit. She shared that Fawad Khan had gone out of his way to make her feel special by booking an entire restaurant for a private dinner. “Do you know what he (Fawad) did? He reserved an entire restaurant for me. It was just Fawad, his wife and child with me at the restaurant,” Mumtaz revealed.
She also highlighted a touching moment with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who, despite being unwell, sang for her. “Rahat saab was not well when we met. But he insisted on singing for me. I felt very special. Mujhe laga abhi bhi main Mumtaz hoon (I felt I am still that Mumtaz),” she said, expressing her elation.
Mumtaz shared photos from her visit, including one with Fawad Khan. In the photo, Mumtaz wore a black top and maroon pants, while Fawad sported a black kurta-pyjama with a navy blue shawl draped over his shoulders. The two were seen chatting on a sofa, showcasing the friendly rapport they shared.
Fawad Khan, who gained immense popularity through Pakistani dramas and made a brief but impactful appearance in Bollywood, with his last appearance in the 2016 film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” now stars in the supernatural show “Barzakh.” In an interview with PTI via Zoom, Fawad expressed his gratitude to fans for their patience and apologized for his prolonged absence from the screen. “I have always been very thankful to fans who have waited for me and I apologise for making them wait for so long. But it was not in my hands,” he said. Reflecting on his hiatus, he added, “I’m a firm believer that everything has its own time… You say that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ but we also have another saying, ‘aankh ojhal, pahaad ojhal’ (out of sight, out of mind). This also happens.”
Mumtaz’s call to lift the ban on Pakistani artists comes at a time when cultural exchange between the neighboring countries remains a sensitive issue. Her heartfelt experiences and appeal underscore the potential for artistic collaboration and mutual respect across borders.
