As the warlike tensions between Pakistan and India continue to rise, Pakistan announced a new censorship policy on all Indian media content. The Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association placed an official ban that prohibits all Indian films from being distributed in Pakistan territories. Bollywood has also responded to the surging hostility between the South Asian neighbors. Major Bollywood distributors such as Maddock Films and Fox Star Studios India are boycotting the Pakistani market. Anticipated projects like Total Dhamaal and Luka Chuppi will not release in Pakistani theaters.

The entertainment industry has become a major contributor in both Pakistani and Indian economies. As a result, the bans will have an immediate impact on the South Asian entertainment market’s economic growth. Pakistan’s Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, has even put in a request to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority for the removal of Indian advertisements from local media.

The two nations remained in contentions since gaining their independence over seventy years ago. However, the countries were especially at odds with each other after Pakistani sources reported a squad of Indian military aircraft crossing through neutral territory and past the “line of control.” Tensions between the rival nations peaked after two Indian pilots were shot down and arrested on Wednesday, the 27th. While Pakistani sources claim that the assaulted aircraft passed into hostile airspace, Indian officials insist that the pilots never crossed the border.

Entertainment media will be an effective way to track the deteriorating relationship between the two states. Cinema will continue to be used as a vehicle to promote India’s nationalistic agenda. Pro-military films like Uri – The Surgical Strike and Sony’s upcoming film, Major, will monetize these rising tensions and further a nationalistic identity. In light of the recent controversies, it is likely that India and Pakistan will use popular media to vilify each other and attempt to further patriotic ideals within their respective nations. This news was first reported by Variety