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Twitter war of words erupts over ‘Veere Di Wedding’ star’s comments about Pakistan

In this file photo, Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar showcases a creation by designer Amoh by Jade at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer Resort 2017 in Mumbai on Feb. 3, 2017. (AFP)
Updated 05 June 2018
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Twitter war of words erupts over ‘Veere Di Wedding’ star’s comments about Pakistan

  • Pakistani censors said ‘vulgar dialogue’ and ‘obscene scenes’ were the reasons for the ban
  • Pakistani actors respond on Twitter to Indian actress Swara Bhaskar’s statements during TV interview
Updated 05 June 2018
Sabah Bano Malik

ISLAMABAD: Indian actress Swara Bhaskar sparked a war of words on Twitter over her comments about Pakistan during a television interview.
Bhaskar is one of the stars of “Veere Di Wedding,” a female-led comedy buddy film that was banned by censors in Pakistan on the grounds of explicit language and sexual themes. Asked about the ban by film critic Rajeev Masand during an interview on CNN News18 Bhaskar, who previously made headlines for expressing her love for Pakistan, did not mince words.
“For some reason I have to keep answering for that,” she said. “I don’t know why people think I’m a spokesperson for the Pakistani government. What do you expect from a state that’s run by Sharia law?
“They’re a nonsecular state. I’m not surprised at all. Why should we hold up Pakistan, which is a failing state? I don’t understand why we keep taking pleasure and feeling a sense of self-worth from all the silly things that happen in Pakistan. Apologies to all my Pakistani friends right now...rest assured, Pakistanis have way worse vocabulary than we do. I know.”
Two Pakistani actors, Urwa Hocane and Gohar Rasheed, quickly responded on Twitter to Bhaskar’s comments. Hocane posted a three-part message condemning her statements and also the uproar in India over the film “Padmavat.”
“Pakistan is the country that you @ReallySwara referred to, in 2015, as the ‘Best country you have ever visited’ and it has only gotten better in the last few years in every aspect along with when it comes to having bigger hearts and welcoming our guests,” she wrote.

“While you’re on this spree of empowering women, I must say you’ve become a bitter person. And all of this is odd coming from a citizen of a state that bans their own films i.e. #Padmavat so let’s not talk about women empowerment.

“This only reflects on u as an ignorant person who is also quiet contradictory in her own statements. It’s not a failing state for sure but u come across as a ‘Failing Human Being’!!! @ReallySwara.”

Rasheed posted a 10-part response, also directly addressed to Bhaskar.
“#SwaraBhasker prior to your recent interview I’ve never heard your name or known of your existence in #Bollywood. Hence this is when I found out about you, and your change of opinion on #Pakistan. My first reaction was, what a ‘typical old school mentality,’” he wrote his first message.

Bhaskar has not spoken publicly about the interview but retweeted and responded to fans who offered her support. To one she wrote that her comments were not aimed at the people of Pakistan but those that make decisions such as the banning of films.
“There should we a distinction between States/govts of a country and the people of that country. My regard for and goodwill toward the people of #Pakistan remains unchanged. Some of my closest friends are Pakistani. Lahore remains one of my soul cities.”

The ban on “Veere Di Wedding” was announced on May 30 by Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), who cited “vulgar dialogue” and “obscene scenes” as the reasons.
The film, directed by Shashanka Ghosh, is a buddy comedy starring Kareena Kapoor, in her first role after taking time off for the birth of her first child, Sonam Kapoor, Shikha Talsania and Bhaskar as four friends attending a wedding.
The trailer, which has been viewed more than 30 million times, includes dialogue about sex, and swearing in Punjabi and English. Despite this edgy attitude, the film attracted a lot of pre-release buzz for being a modern comedy about female friends and marriage in South Asia. The video for the first song released from the soundtrack, “Tareefan,” has been watched 54 million times.
The film was due for release in Pakistan on June 1. Prior to the announcement of the CBFC ban, the Sindh Film Censors (SFC) cleared the film following some cuts. However, when both CBFC and the Punjab Film Censor Board failed to clear the film, SFC followed suit.
The decision prompted much activity on Twitter, which questioned the reasons why a film about women discussing topics similar to those regularly discussed in Hollywood films was banned.

Topics: Veere Di Wedding Bollywood India Pakistan Urwa hocane Swara Bhaskar

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Pakistan raises India's suspension of water-sharing treaty with UNGA president, seeks action

Updated 15 February 2026
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Pakistan raises India's suspension of water-sharing treaty with UNGA president, seeks action

  • New Delhi said in April last year it was holding the treaty in abeyance after a gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir
  • Official says such actions threaten lives of 240 million Pakistanis, particularly at a time of climate stress, water scarcity
Updated 15 February 2026
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken up India’s suspension of a decades-old water-sharing treaty with the president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), urging action over the move that Islamabad said sets "dangerous precedents."

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) divides control of the Indus basin rivers between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India said in April last year it would hold the treaty “in abeyance” after a gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed more than 26 tourists. New Delhi blamed the assault on Pakistan, Islamabad denied it.

The attack led to a four-day military conflict between the neighbors last May that say them attack each other with fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery before the United States-brokered a ceasefire. Tensions have remained high between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) annual hearing, Pakistan Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani told UNGA President Annalena Baerbock that India's unlawful action constituted a blatant violation of the treaty’s provisions and principles of customary international law.

"Such actions threaten the lives and livelihoods of over 240 million Pakistanis and set dangerous precedents, particularly at a time when climate stress and water scarcity demand cooperation and strict respect for international agreements," he was quoted as saying by the Pakistani information ministry.

The treaty, mediated by the World Bank, grants Pakistan rights to the Indus basin’s western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — for irrigation, drinking, and non-consumptive uses like hydropower, while India controls the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — for unrestricted use but must not significantly alter their flow.

Highlighting the adverse impacts of climate change, Gilani said countries like Pakistan remain among the most severely affected and underscored the urgency of collective action, climate justice and strengthened international cooperation.

"The United Nations provides an indispensable platform for addressing these interconnected challenges," he said at the meeting.

Gilani, who was leading a six-member parliamentary delegation, this week delivered the national statement at the IPU annual hearing at the UN headquarters, calling for democratic, transparent, and accountable decision-making in order to enhance the UN’s credibility, according to the Senate of Pakistan.

“Parliaments are indispensable partners in ensuring national ownership of international commitments,” he was quoted as saying by the Senate. “Reform is essential. But it must be ‘Reform for All, Privilege for None’.”

The Senate chairman highlighted the continuing importance of the United Nations as the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation, stressing that the organization’s universal membership and Charter-based mandate remain central to promoting global peace and security.

Topics: Indus Waters Treaty

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