Actress Faiza Khan has called on Pakistanis to take a moment to consider their cultural values, especially within the entertainment sector.
She raised the question of why local films and dramas do not use music from Pakistan’s rich musical legacy, while Bollywood continues to adopt and invest in it.
In response to reports that Indian filmmakers paid INR4.5 million to feature a 40-year-old Pakistani song in the film Dhurandhar.
Faiza Khan expressed her disappointment regarding the lack of recognition for classic music in Pakistan. She asked why older songs, cherished by multiple generations, are not being used in domestic productions.
“Have we stopped recognising our own legends or have we simply become disconnected from our own heritage?” she commented, noting that a considerable segment of the younger generation is not acquainted with these timeless classics.
Faiza Khan pointed out the irony that while Pakistani content creators disregard these musical gems, foreign industries are prepared to pay significant sums to include them, even if just for a short duration.
She further stated that the lasting popularity of these songs among Gen Z demonstrates their universal appeal, attributing this to the purity of the art.
Pakistani song featured in Dhurandar
Her remarks followed singer Hassan Jahangir’s revelation in an interview with Nida Yasir that he received $50,000 for the use of his iconic song Hawa Hawa in Dhurandhar.
The track was reportedly featured in a scene that introduced the character of SP Chaudhry Aslam, played by Sanjay Dutt.
Even prior to Khan’s comments, the decision had already incited backlash among Indian viewers.
Many expressed their displeasure over the inclusion of Pakistani music in what they labeled as an overtly anti-Pakistan film.
Critics also highlighted that the sequel to the film is expected to include Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s classic Dil Pe Zakham Khate Hain in its soundtrack.
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