The 2025 Met Gala witnessed an unprecedented representation from South Asia, featuring nearly a dozen Indians on the red carpet, including superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, as well as musical icon Diljit Dosanjh and actress Kiara Advani. A fashion designer from Pakistan shared a message regarding the precarious position that Pakistani fans had to navigate while commending these stars, but faced backlash for referring to them as 'our stars. '

Zara Shahjahan's post on SRK and Diljit

On Tuesday morning, just hours after the Met Gala wrapped up in New York, fashion designer Zara Shahjahan took to Instagram to compose an extensive message about the presence of Indian celebrities at the esteemed fashion event. "Last night, two of our stars illuminated the Met Gala. Shah Rukh - the dream we grew up with. Diljit - the beat we groove to now. And yet, in these moments - when the world opens its doors to the subcontinent, when our artists grace global platforms - we are not permitted to applaud. Our hands are bound by doubt, our joy consumed by our silence," she expressed.

In another Instagram Story, the designer shared, “It is a peculiar experience, to mature loving someone who might never be permitted to love you in return. To sway to their melodies, to mourn with their movies, and now - to witness them enter the limelight and feel like outsiders peering from beyond the barrier. ” Zara further expressed her views on Pakistanis' incapacity to recognize Indian talent because of the political discord between the two nations.

Fans react

Nevertheless, fans from her homeland were displeased with her reference to ‘our stars’ and ‘our artistes’. One remarked, “What is there for us to celebrate? Our stars? They are neighbors’ kids and can do as they wish. What can we do? Why do our stars, designers, anchors have this middle-child-people-pleasing compulsion to claim Indian talent, cinema, art? Personally, I prefer Zara Shahjahan over Sabya any day, but the issue is they don’t require our support. ” Another commented, “Our celebrities? I cannot process this! Since when has SRK been ours? Diljit? I can’t handle this sorrow! ”

Others interpreted the post as a criticism of Pakistanis’ unhealthy fixation on Bollywood. “Why are we Pakistanis so fixated on Bollywood celebrities? Especially when they go to such lengths to declare war on our nation by threatening us,” one comment stated.

The frigid Indo-Pak relations

The recent terrorist incident in Pahalgam, where armed attackers killed 26 tourists, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian government has partially halted trade with Pakistan and also suspended several social media accounts based in the country, including many actors and celebrities.

Read Also: Pakistani Fans Condemn Fawad Khan’s Sympathy Message Over Tragedy, Call for Boycott

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