No more Fawad Khan or Hania Aamir on Indian OTT: Centre bans Pakistan-origin content

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and intermediaries in India, directing them to immediately discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media content originating from Pakistan.

“In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription- based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” stated an advisory.

The advisory, issued under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, highlights the obligation of online content publishers to exercise caution when hosting material that could affect India’s sovereignty, integrity, security, or public order. The guidelines also caution against content detrimental to India's relations with foreign countries.

According to the ministry, the decision has been taken in the interest of national security, and platforms have been asked to act with immediate effect. The Ministry cited the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, as a key reason behind the advisory.

According to the advisory, the Code of Ethics under the Rules provides that: "a publisher shall take into consideration the following factors, when deciding to feature or transmit or publish or exhibit any content, after duly considering the implicatiorns of any content as falling under the following categories, and shall exercise due caution and discretion in relation to the same, namely,

1. content which affects the sovereignty and integrity of India;
2. content which threatens, endangers or jeopardises the security of the State;
3. content which is detrimental to India's friendly relations with foreign countries;
4. content which is likely to incite violence or disturb the maintenance of public order

“Further, rule 3(1)(b) of Part-II of the IT Rules, 2021 provides that intermediaries shall make reasonable efforts by itself, and to cause the users of its computer resource to not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that inter-alia "threatens the unity,” stated the release.

The move effectively bans popular Pakistani actors such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and others from appearing on Indian OTT platforms. Shows, films, or music featuring these stars — which often garner a strong fan following in India — will no longer be available for streaming. The directive is expected to significantly impact the availability of cross-border entertainment content.