Pakistani actress Mahira Khan might be joining her first Malayalam film, L2: Empuraan, alongside Mohanlal. Reports from News18 and Free Press Journal suggest that after the Bombay High Court allowed Pakistani artists to work in India again, Mahira is thinking about a key role in the sequel to the hit movie Lucifer.
The director of L2: Empuraan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, hasn’t officially commented on the news about Mahira’s possible role. However, speculation has grown due to the close bond between Prithviraj, his wife Supriya Menon, and Mahira, along with her husband Salim Karim. A photo from their vacation in the Maldives went viral, adding fuel to the rumours.
In an earlier interview, Mahira Khan praised Malayalam cinema, expressing her admiration for its storytelling, acting, and production quality. She even clarified that she was particularly interested in Malayalam movies, not Tamil or Telugu films. If the rumors are true, her debut in Malayalam cinema would be through L2: Empuraan, a film that serves as both a prequel and sequel to Lucifer.
L2: Empuraan boasts a star-studded cast, including Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Sai Kumar, Baiju Santhosh, and Shivaji Guruvayoor. Produced jointly by Aashirvad Cinemas and Lyca Productions, the film is expected to create a lot of excitement, especially if Mahira joins the vibrant world of Malayalam cinema.
Not too long ago, there used to be a thriving cultural exchange between Pakistan and India in the arts. Artists from both countries worked together, fostering hopes of harmony. However, after the 2016 Uri attack, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association banned Pakistani actors and technicians in India, blaming Pakistan for the incident and ending many successful collaborations.
Recently, the Bombay High Court ruled against a petition that aimed to stop Pakistani artists from working or performing in India. The petition, filed by Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, sought a ban on any professional association with Pakistani artists in India. However, the court rejected the plea, emphasizing that such a ban would hinder cultural unity and harmony between India and Pakistan.
The court highlighted that being a patriot doesn’t mean being hostile to foreigners, especially those from neighbouring countries. Patriotism, the court said, involves promoting peace, harmony, and unity through activities like music, sports, culture, and dance, which transcend borders and contribute to global unity and peace.
Mahira Khan appeals to Government of Pakistan to provide safety to ‘our Afghan brothers and sister’s
