Viral fake post claims Pakistani actress praises 'Alpha':From 'Dhurandhar' to 'Phantom', Bollywood films that sparked controversy across the border

Pakistani actress Iqra Aziz recently found herself at the centre of an online controversy after reports claimed she praised the teaser of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari's upcoming film Alpha. Soon after screenshots of her alleged post went viral, many social media users in Pakistan criticised her for supporting an Indian film. However, the controversy took a different turn after Yash Raj Films (YRF) reportedly clarified that the viral screenshot was fake. According to media reports, the actress had never shared such a post, and the image circulating online was edited. This is not the first time an Indian film has become a talking point in Pakistan. Several Bollywood films have either been banned or sparked controversy across the border over the years. Many users believed the post was genuine and criticised the actress for promoting an Indian film. Some even called for her boycott. 'Dhurandhar' sparked controversy after its release Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar also became the centre of controversy after its release. The action thriller reportedly faced bans in several regions over its alleged anti-Pakistan content. According to reports, the film's portrayal of politically sensitive areas and cross-border gang networks drew criticism from some groups in Pakistan. The controversy quickly spread on social media, making Dhurandhar one of the most talked-about Bollywood films across the border. Several Bollywood films have sparked controversy in Pakistan Dhurandhar is not the only Indian film to generate debate in Pakistan. Over the years, several Bollywood movies have faced bans or drawn criticism because of their themes, storylines, or portrayal of the country. 'Phantom' was banned in Pakistan Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif's Phantom was banned in Pakistan after Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, filed a petition against the film. He claimed the movie portrayed him and his organisation negatively. Following the petition, a Pakistani court stopped the film's release in the country. 'Ek Tha Tiger' was barred from release Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger was also banned in Pakistan. The spy thriller follows an Indian RAW agent and a Pakistani ISI officer. Reports said Pakistani authorities objected to the way the ISI was portrayed in the film and refused to allow its release. 'Haider' did not receive clearance Shahid Kapoor-starrer Haider, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, was also denied release in Pakistan. Set against the backdrop of the Kashmir conflict, the film reportedly did not receive clearance from Pakistan's censor board because of its depiction of the region. 'Raazi' sparked debate on social media Alia Bhatt's Raazi, based on an Indian spy during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, also became a major talking point in Pakistan. While the film received critical acclaim in India, many Pakistani social media users criticised its portrayal of the country, leading to widespread online discussions. 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' became a political flashpoint Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, became embroiled in controversy following the 2016 India-Pakistan tensions. Several groups opposed the release of the film because it featured a Pakistani actor, and the controversy dominated entertainment headlines for weeks. 'Baby' was banned over objections to its character portrayals Akshay Kumar's Baby was also banned in Pakistan after objections were raised by the country's censor board. According to reports, the board believed that many of the film's antagonists were given names associated with a particular community, which it felt created a negative portrayal. As a result, the spy thriller was not allowed to be released in Pakistan. From Phantom and Ek Tha Tiger to Dhurandhar and Alpha, several Bollywood films have made headlines in Pakistan because of their themes or political context. The recent controversy involving Iqra Aziz also shows how quickly unverified social media posts can trigger widespread reactions. Although reports later claimed the viral Alpha screenshot was fake, it had already sparked intense debate online.