“Ahsan Khan has turned all the curses towards him.”
Ahsan Khan is facing backlash after appearing at a literary event at the Houses of Parliament alongside Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi.
The event, aimed at celebrating South Asian literature and culture, featured notable figures from both India and Pakistan.
While the gathering remained peaceful and centred on cultural exchange, a short video clip from the event soon went viral.
The footage showed Khan seated near Azmi and praising both Indian guests in his speech.
His remarks emphasised the unifying role of art and literature in South Asia.
He stated that creativity could build bridges across national and cultural boundaries.
However, many netizens took issue with Khan’s presence at the event, particularly because of Javed Akhtar’s previous remarks about Pakistan.
In 2023, Akhtar had accused Pakistan of harbouring individuals linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
His comments were widely condemned by Pakistani artists and public figures at the time.
Against this backdrop, Khan’s interaction with Akhtar and Azmi reopened wounds among a section of the public.
On social media, reactions were swift and often harsh.
One user said: “Shameless.”
Another wrote: “Didn’t expect this from Ahsan Khan.”
A third user added: “Ahsan Khan has turned all the curses towards him.”
The criticism appeared to reflect a deeper unease over cross-border interactions during politically sensitive times.
The Dastaan actor, who has often spoken about regional harmony, used his speech to promote peace through cultural dialogue.
He described art as a force that can connect people beyond national divisions.
Despite his well-meaning statements, the event’s optics have overshadowed his message.
@murtazaviews Poet and writer Javed Akhtar with actor Ahsan Khan, celebrating art beyond boundaries at an event in the UK Parliament #AhsanKhan #ShabanaAzmi #LondonDiaries #BollywoodMeetsLollywood ? original sound – Murtaza Ali Shah
Many feel that artists must remain mindful of public sentiment, especially when representing their country abroad.
Others argued that Khan’s intentions were misinterpreted and that such exchanges were necessary for progress.
Shabana Azmi’s presence, tied closely to her husband’s past political statements, further complicated public perception.
Although Akhtar made no controversial comments at the UK event, his history remains fresh in many minds.
As debate continues online, Khan has not publicly responded to the controversy.
The situation highlights the fragile line artists walk when engaging in cross-border cultural efforts.
In a politically charged environment, even calls for unity can become sources of division.
And for Ahsan Khan, what began as a speech for peace has become a flashpoint in the culture-politics debate.
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