On September 12, Imran Zahid, a Delhi-based theatre actor, filed a Right to Information (RTI) petition seeking clarity on whether the Indian government prevents Pakistani film and theatre artistes from working in India. For Zahid, the RTI was driven by two factors—at the time, the Punjab release of The Legend of Maula Jatt had just been announced, a decision he welcomed. More importantly, he wanted clarity on the government’s stance as he is making the Indian adaptation of Pakistani show, Humsafar, which starred Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan.

Things have changed in the fortnight since he filed the petition—The Legend of Maula Jatt’s Punjab release stands cancelled. Even more reason, Zahid says, for Indian artistes to have complete knowledge of the situation. “When [the film’s release] was announced [to severe opposition], I filed an RTI with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to inquire about any official ban from the Indian government. Since we are working on a stage adaptation of Pakistani dramas, we’re also concerned whether our projects will see the light of day or face a potential ban,” he says.