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Sultana Siddiqui: The Pakistani TV veteran making shows with cross-border appeal
For years, political hostilities between India and Pakistan have disrupted entertainment exchange, but rarely have restrictions been as sweeping as those triggered by the Pahalgam fallout. The latest wave of bans targeted Pakistani shows on YouTube, blocked streaming access to cross-border dramas on Netflix and Amazon Prime, and even temporarily disabled Instagram accounts of Pakistani actors and peace activists. The clampdown came at a time when Pakistani dramas have been enjoying immense popularity across the border, on digital and social media. They have not just built massive fan bases there, but are also engaging with radical themes that, as Indian journalist Raksha Kumar points out, are missing from Indian television dramas, due to 'superfluous' research, lack of courage or financial constraints. One standout example is a three-part mini series that aired last August on the privately owned Hum TV, produced by veteran television pioneer Sultana Siddiqui. Each installment tells a stand-alone story. Each is bound by the shared theme of how far-right radicals terrorise individuals and the communities they inhabit at large and the limitations of the state to give justice or security to the victims. The final episode of Tan Man Neelo Neel (Body and Soul Covered in Bruises), the last in the trilogy, elicited emotion for audiences in both countries. The lead characters attacked by an angry mob were their parents' only children. They were young people whose dreams were cut short. The story ends with a chilling mosaic honouring real-life victims of 'blasphemy' mob violence like Mashal Khan, a university student in Mardan in 2017 and brothers Mughees and Muneeb Butt, in Sialkot in 2010. Mob violence Many others could have been included. The list is long and includes those who were victimised on the pretext of religion even if mob violence wasn't involved. The theme resonates wherever this phenomenon has occurred. Since she launched Hum TV in 2005, Sultana Siddiqui, now in her late 70s, has used the television channel as a platform for storytelling from a progressive bent of mind, offering a nuanced portrayal of Pakistani society through deeply grounded characters. This isn't the first time her storytelling has crossed borders. Zindagi Gulzar Hai (Life is Beautiful) in 2012 was a hit in India. The series shows a picture of Pakistan different from the narrative seen in the Indian context. Its popularity, fueled by social media, created a demand for Pakistani content in the Indian market. Its lead actor Fawad Khan, went on to become a Bollywood heartthrob, but was then banned in India along with other Pakistani artists following the 2016 Uri attack. The Pakistani film Maula Jatt that he stars in was due to be released in India, but that has been stalled too. The release of a Bollywood romance he stars in, Abir Gulaal, is now also in limbo due to renewed hostilities. Countering 'foreign' serials What catalysed Sultana Siddiqui to start Hum TV channel was a desire to create relevant content rooted in Pakistan. 'My son asked, 'Are you sure this will work? Indian channels are dominating ratings.' I told him, 'Give it two days – those ratings won't last',' she recalls. 'I was scared too. But when it happened, the entire atmosphere shifted. Not just in Pakistan, but anywhere Urdu is spoken.' She wanted to counter the dominance of 'foreign' serials, particularly Indian dramas known for their sensationalist aesthetics. 'Those vibrant colored walls, the dramatic music, and women cooking without a single stain on their clothes – it all used to bother me,' she says. The series are part of a long line of Hum TV productions that have challenged social norms, like Udaari (Soaring, on child sexual abuse) and Dar Si Jaati Hai Silah (Silah Gets a Bit Scared, on domestic violence). Speaking to Sapan News at her office in Karachi, Sultana Siddiqui recalled the backlash against Udaari (2016), which state-run regulators branded 'immoral ' and threatened to shut down. 'I asked them, 'What exactly do you gain by doing this?'' she recalled. Their reply? 'You get a lot of publicity'.' Public support But Siddiqui believes it wasn't just the regulators. 'When one of my dramas performs exceptionally well, there are always two kinds of competitors – those who respond positively, and those who don't. I choose to rise above. But some out of sheer spite think, 'It's doing well, so let's bring it down,' and they write complaints.' Udaari received a record number of notices from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, an indication of how much pushback such socially conscious shows can get. The subject matter, she was told, was too 'bold' to ignore. Her response: 'Look at the end – the rapist was caught and punished. The purpose of Udaari was to show that if you see your child disturbed, talk to them. Because often, it's the nearest person who abuses the child, someone they trust.' What sustained her was support from the public. 'That's where we drew our strength from, to fight the case legally,' Sultana Siddiqui says. 'Sorry, but we are not followers; we create and make others follow.' She admits having to self-censor many aspects of her productions. 'Of course, you can play it safe, but if you're intelligent, you should know what your purpose is.' While Pakistani television channels today enjoy far more freedom than under military regimes, it was Pakistan's last military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, who in fact allowed private channels to start. 'Back then we mostly adapted novels into dramas, where the mother was the epitome of goodness,' she says. 'They were slow-paced and good in their own right, but their reach and impact were limited. The subjects were limited too – you couldn't tackle issues like child abuse… You couldn't even show a couple holding hands. That's not the case now.' In contrast, films get caught in layers of bureaucracy with those in different regulatory departments 'sending mixed signals – one says yes, the other says no'. The horrific cases of mob violence in Pakistan affected Siddiqui on a personal level, she said, leading her to create the Tan Man series as a response. 'I don't have the energy anymore to keep running around, directing projects,' she admits. 'But I saw something that shattered me. I just hope some change comes from it – something that makes me feel like I've done my part. If nothing else, at least it brings some awareness.' 'When I see things like this, I know it's already time for me to bow out,' she says. 'But before I do, I want to leave behind something meaningful." Alongside Tan Man Neelo Neel, which runs for 11 episodes, the trilogy features Mann Jogi with nine episodes and Nadaan with eight. The latter tackles the controversial practice of ' Halala Nikah ' and exposes how religious doctrine is exploited for personal political gain. The second installment, Nadaan, directed by filmmaker Mehreen Jabbar (Ramchand Pakistani, 2008), examines the scourge of drug addiction. The story shows how drug addicts pose threats to people around them; they resist the opening of rehabilitation centres that might weaken their grip, hiding behind performative piety to deflect scrutiny, and ultimately incite mob violence to protect their influence and preserve the toxic ecosystems they benefit from. Cross-border drama Sultana Siddiqui has always strongly favoured the inclusion of cross-border talent in Pakistani and Indian cultural productions. She has participated in various bilateral conferences and meetings, including those organised by Aman Ki Asha (Hope for Peace), a joint platform initiated in 2010 by the two biggest media groups of India and Pakistan. At the 2018 inaugural Pakistan International Film Festival, which Sultana Siddiqui hosted in Karachi, she invited prominent Indian industry figures as guests, including the team behind the blockbuster film Baahubali. But when she informally asked one of them, a veteran writer, to create content for Pakistani audiences, he politely declined, citing 'grave risks'. Sultana Siddiqui advocates for a more equitable exchange of cultural assets between India and Pakistan. She doesn't mind Indian productions hiring Pakistani writers but 'it should be a two-way street. For every writer they take, we should get one in return – maybe even agree on a percentage.' There are other kinds of risks involved in collaboration that may derail such efforts. There have been cases of storylines from Pakistan being picked up by Indian productions but then, 'things were added according to their own wishes.' State policy has also played its part. In 2016, Pakistan banned Indian dramas on its television channels, after India's unofficial curbs on Pakistani artists. The blackout, she notes, did give a short-term boom to homegrown content, but the real game-changer has been the rise of digital streaming platforms. Not all of Hum TV's projects have been free from critique. The 2019 television series Ehd-e-Wafa, a collaboration with the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, drew criticism for glorifying the army and depicting other professions and state institutions unfairly. Earlier ISPR-sponsored shows like Alpha Bravo Charlie (1998) and Sunehre Din (1991) focused on military life without overt political messaging. Asked whether private channels should be subject to such influence, Sultana Siddiqui stresses that collaboration should involve professionals who understand the craft. The conversation with Sultana Siddiqui took place in Urdu and the quotes provided are approximate English translations.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hania Aamir, Shahid Afridi among Pakistani stars blocked again after social media ‘glitch' in India
Pakistani celebrities once again disappeared from Indian social media feeds after their accounts were briefly unblocked due to what officials are calling a 'technical glitch.' Instagram and X profiles of big names like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Shahid Afridi became briefly visible to Indian users on Wednesday, sparking confusion and speculation. However, by Thursday morning, the ban was back in place. A pop-up on Instagram now reads: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.' What happened during the 'tech glitch'? On July 2, Indian users suddenly found they could access Instagram and YouTube content from multiple Pakistani stars and entertainment channels. These included the Instagram profiles of Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, along with YouTube channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo. This visibility lasted only a few hours. Why were the Pakistani accounts banned? The ban on Pakistani media accounts came after India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The military strike was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April, where 25 people were killed, including 24 Indian tourists. After the operation, several Pakistani artists made public statements criticising India's actions. This led to widespread backlash on Indian social media. Thereafter, the government directed OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to remove Pakistani content under the IT Rules 2021. AICWA demands a permanent ban The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly opposed the brief reappearance of Pakistani profiles. In an open letter to Prime Minister Modi, AICWA called it an insult to India's martyrs. Their demands included: A total digital blackout of all Pakistani content A permanent ban on collaborations involving Pakistani artists A cultural disconnect as tribute to the armed forces AICWA pointed to attacks like Pulwama, Uri, and 26/11 to justify their stance, calling Pakistan a 'terrorist nation.' What happens now? For now, Pakistani profiles are once again hidden from Indian audiences. But the sudden glitch has raised fresh questions around how these bans are enforced and whether more permanent safeguards need to be in place.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Instagram gone, YouTube on? Pakistani celebs blocked again, but are serials still streaming in India? Here's what we found
On Thursday, while social media profiles of Pakistani celebrities were taken down again, new serials from platforms like Hum TV, Har Pal Geo, and ARY Digital were still playing on YouTube when ET checked. However, with growing calls for a full digital and cultural ban, this access may not last long. There is no official word yet on whether these serials will be blocked next, but public sentiment is clearly against allowing any exposure. Earlier this week, several Pakistani celebrities and media platforms briefly resurfaced on Indian digital space. Instagram accounts of actors like Yumna Zaidi, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, and Saba Qamar became visible. YouTube channels of cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, along with major entertainment networks like Hum TV and ARY Digital, also reappeared. But by Thursday morning, the situation changed. The accounts were once again restricted. Users saw the standard message: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.' AICWA renews demand for total ban The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) intensified its demand for a permanent ban on all Pakistani entertainment content in India. In a fresh appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the association called for a complete shutdown, from social media and OTT to all forms of advertising and media collaborations. Live Events Calling the reappearance of Pakistani celebrities 'an emotional assault,' AICWA strongly criticised the development. The body referred to major terror attacks including 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and the recent Pahalgam massacre where 26 civilians lost their lives. It condemned the silence of Pakistani artists and even their alleged anti-India comments after Operation Sindoor.
India Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ban on Pak social media accounts reinstated again amid backlash
The social media accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities were once again blocked in India on Thursday, just a day after the restrictions were lifted amid the backlash. Instagram and Twitter profiles of Pakistani celebrities such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane and Fawad Khan once again became inaccessible to Indian users by Thursday move follows a brief window on Wednesday when many Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram accounts started reappearing on social media platforms in July 2, the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Saba Qamar, Mawra Hocane, Fawad Khan, Shahid Afridi, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi and Danish Taimoor, began reappearing for Indian users. Additionally, Pakistani YouTube channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital and Har Pal Geo have also become accessible again. Fans noted the sudden visibility of these profiles, prompting speculation that the so-called social media "ban" had quietly been rolled now if users search for the profiles of Pakistani celebrities on Instagram, a pop-up message appears stating: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.'Notably, no official statement has been issued by the government yet regarding the reinstatement of the ban. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to react to the reappearance and then disappearance of the Pakistani channels and celebrity accounts in India despite the original restrictions had been enforced in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after India's Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terror establishments in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Several Pakistani celebrities had publicly criticised the operation, leading to a wave of backlash and the subsequent geoblocking of their social media accounts within India.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ban on Pakistan social media channels lifted? Many accounts, blocked after Pahalgam attack, ‘accessible' in India
Several social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities and YouTube channels of the country's news organisations, which were blocked following the Pahalgam terror attack, now appear to be accessible again. Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane and former cricketer Shahid Afridi(X and Instagram) The Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, such as Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, and Danish Taimoor, are now accessible from India. However, the accounts of other Pakistani actors, such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir, continue to be inaccessible from India, according to netizens. In addition to the film fraternity, Pakistani news media outlets like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo were available to be streamed in India again. The YouTube channels of former Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, and Rashid Latif also appear to be restored. On May 8, the Indian government had issued a formal advisory to all OTT platforms and digital streaming services, instructing them to immediately remove any web series, films, music, podcasts, or other content that originates from Pakistan. Also Read | 'Was in the room': Jaishankar lays out chronology of India-Pakistan ceasefire, and US phone calls The advisory, framed under the IT Rules, 2021, had cited national security concerns and aims to prevent the dissemination of content deemed harmful to India's sovereignty or public order. Prior to that, authorities had blocked access to 16 Pakistan-linked YouTube channels, including those of news outlets and journalists. YouTube channels of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and sports figures like Shaheen Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also removed from Indian viewership. ACWA writes to PM Modi Earlier today, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising strong objections to the reappearance of social media accounts of Pakistani actors in India. 'It is deeply concerning and absolutely unacceptable that social media accounts of Pakistani artists like Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, and several Pakistan-based channels are once again visible in India," it said. "This is not merely a digital appearance — it is a direct insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers and an emotional assault on every Indian who lost a loved one in terror attacks perpetrated by Pakistan,' the body added. India-Pak tensions Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in territories controlled by Pakistan, killing more than 100 terrorists. The operation also destroyed terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India were planned and directed. This triggered four days of clashes, with both sides using drones, missiles and long-range weapons and raising fears of an all-out war. On May 10, India's military conducted strikes on eight Pakistani airbases, including Murid and Nur Khan air bases, in retaliation for Pakistani attacks on a range of military facilities earlier the same day. The targets hit by the Indian Air Force included runways, hangars, command and control centres, radar bases, missile sites and weapon storage areas. An understanding was reached between both countries to cease hostilities later that day.
