By Anil Merani: Rupali Ganguly’s bold stance, particularly her X post calling out Fawad Khan’s criticism of India’s “Operation Sindoor,” is a testament to her courage. Her willingness to prioritize nationalist sentiment over maintaining a neutral image that could preserve her appeal across borders is truly inspiring. Her statement, “You working in Indian films was also ‘shameful’ for us,” reflects a readiness to risk alienating Pakistani fans, a move that smaller artists with less established careers might hesitate to make. For emerging artists, playing neutral during Indo-Pak tensions often stems from the need to safeguard fanbases in both countries, especially since cross-border social media followings can significantly boost their visibility and opportunities.
Ganguly’s position is amplified by her established status in the Indian entertainment industry, giving her the leverage to take such a stand without the same career risks a lesser-known artist might face. The context of heightened tensions post the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, coupled with actions like Instagram bans on Pakistani celebrities in India, underscores the polarised climate where neutrality can be seen as a lack of loyalty by some Indian audiences. X posts from users echo this, with some praising Ganguly’s “courage” for standing for the flag. In contrast, others argue smaller artists face tougher choices, as alienating any fanbase could jeopardise their livelihood. This highlights the challenges faced by smaller artists and calls for empathy from the audience.
Her approach contrasts with artists who’ve historically navigated these tensions more diplomatically to avoid backlash, especially those reliant on Pakistani audiences for projects or endorsements. While Ganguly’s stance may resonate with Indian fans who value vocal patriotism, it’s a luxury not all artists can afford. This disparity in the industry is a stark reality that the audience needs to be aware of. If you’d like me to look into specific examples of smaller artists who’ve stayed neutral or faced backlash.