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Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has once again expressed his willingness to collaborate with Pakistani artists, provided the Indian government grants them the necessary permissions to work in the country.

Speaking at a recent press conference for his upcoming film Sikandar, the actor addressed the restrictions in place since 2016, preventing collaborations between artists from Pakistan.

“Take the permission from here, and I am ready to work with them,” the Dabangg star said during his media interaction in Mumbai, per Filmfare. He added, “Or get them a visa and take permission from the government here.”

Displaying his characteristic wit, the actor quipped, “Or else I’ll play cricket.”

This is not the first time Khan has spoken in favour of Pakistani artists. Back in 2016, he took a stand against growing hostility towards them in India, stating, “They are artists, not terrorists. It’s the government that gives them permits and visas.

The ban on Pakistani artists working in India was imposed after a 2016 attack in Uri, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. For its part, Pakistan denied any role in the attack.

The Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) subsequently announced a restriction on Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians from participating in Bollywood projects — a move seen as a politically motivated decision rather than one based on artistic considerations.

Despite this, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition in 2023 seeking a formal ban on Pakistani talent, reaffirming that artists should not be punished for diplomatic tensions.

However, the Indian film industry continues to maintain an unwritten rule of exclusion, bowing to nationalist sentiments.

Khan is currently gearing up for the release of Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, on March 30.