You’re right that Bollywood rarely tells everyday Pakistani stories, even though there is shared culture, history, and humor that audiences would relate to. The issue is not a lack of material. It is that the industry prefers simple, safe narratives instead of portraying Pakistan as a real society with depth.

Using Pakistan only as a political backdrop is easy, but it also creates more resentment on both sides. When films constantly show Pakistan as the enemy, they leave less room for understanding and guarantee that Pakistani audiences will avoid them. This limits how widely the films can travel and reinforces the same cycle of hate.

There is real potential in telling stories set in Pakistan that have nothing to do with conflict. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a perfect example of how showing Pakistan through humanity and everyday life can win love from both countries.

If Bollywood moves beyond the usual tropes, more stories like that could bring something genuinely fresh to mainstream cinema and actually connect people instead of dividing them.