On Friday, April 10, 2026, a digital anomaly sparked intense speculation across the Indian internet as the Instagram accounts of several high-profile Pakistani actors briefly became accessible to users in India.
Following the 2025 Pulwama attack, the Indian government had restricted access to the social media profiles of stars like Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Fawad Khan, and Sajal Ali. However, for a short window this morning, Indian netizens noticed they could view these profiles without the use of a VPN, leading many to wonder if the digital ban had been quietly lifted.
The “glitch” quickly became a trending topic on platforms like Reddit and X, with users sharing screenshots of the accessible profiles. While some fans expressed excitement at the prospect of re-connecting with cross-border talent, the consensus soon shifted toward it being a technical error.
By mid-morning, the restriction was reinstated, and users were once again met with the “account not available in India” message. This brief exposure coincided with a viral video of Hania Aamir grooving to the classic Bollywood track ‘Main Aayi Hoon UP Bihar Lootne’, which added fuel to the social media fire.
The digital restriction remains a sensitive subject in the wake of the 2025 events, which also saw the banning of films like Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal and Hania Aamir’s Sardaarji 3 in India. While these movies found success in overseas markets—with Sardaarji 3 emerging as a global super-hit—they remain officially unavailable to Indian audiences. This brief technical lapse served as a reminder of the complex intersection between entertainment and regional geopolitics that has defined the last year of Indo-Pak relations.