Indian influencer and radio presenter Varun Dhawan has praised Pakistani dramas and music, saying there is nothing quite like them.
Dhawan shared a video on Instagram showing his daughters fluently using Urdu phrases in conversation, captioning it “When your kids watch too much Pakistani dramas.” He also commented under a post by a Pakistani media outlet, writing “There is nothing better than Pakistani dramas and Music.”
The moment struck a chord with many, as it highlighted how deeply Pakistani content has worked its way into everyday households across India.
Pakistani dramas have long enjoyed a strong following in India. Shows such as Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum and Mere Humsafar attracted large audiences across the border and helped push Pakistani content onto Indian streaming platforms.
The Zindagi channel, launched in India in 2014, was dedicated entirely to Pakistani programming and drew millions of viewers before it moved to a digital-only format.
India banned many Pakistani entertainment channels and artists after a military conflict with Pakistan in May last year. However, Indian users continue to use VPNs to access Pakistani dramas.
The love for Pakistani music in India is equally well established, with artists such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam building massive fan bases and featuring prominently in Bollywood films over the years.
Tracks from younger Pakistani artists including Afusic, Young Stunners, Sabaat Batin and Zoha Waseem have also found listeners across the border.
