Rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident and subsequent clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir are now rippling into the world of showbiz. As political unrest heats up, the entertainment industry is feeling the pressure—particularly on social media.
Several Bollywood and Tollywood stars have seen a significant drop in followers after expressing support for Operation Sindoor, an Indian military initiative. Celebrities such as Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor have reportedly lost tens of thousands of followers since May 7–8.
According to The Times of India, the backlash stems largely from audiences in South Asia, particularly those angered by anti-Pakistan sentiments shared by these stars. Alia Bhatt reportedly lost 100,000 followers in a single day, Kartik Aaryan dropped 60,000, and Ajay Devgn was unfollowed by 20,000 users.
This social media fallout follows India’s decision to ban the accounts of several Pakistani artists, which appears to have triggered a response in kind—impacting the digital popularity of Indian celebrities abroad.
In Bangladesh, where Tollywood stars enjoy a considerable fanbase, questions are emerging about how regional political dynamics may further affect follower counts and public perception.
Since brand endorsements often rely heavily on social media influence, a decline in followers could pose financial and reputational challenges for these stars. With tensions still escalating, Bollywood celebrities may continue to see fluctuations in their online reach and fan engagement.
