India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of movies, music

While conflict raged between the powerful militaries of India and Pakistan, a battle was also fought on the cultural front lines despite years of shared love for films and music.

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The deadly fighting in early May - the worst in decades - affected artists previously untouched by animosity between their leaders.

Ali Gul Pir, a Pakistani rapper and comedian with a huge Indian following, released a song years ago mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While he was spared consequences then, in May his YouTube channel and Instagram profile were blocked in India.

"Indians now recognise that the digital space serves as a bridge between Pakistanis and Indians, and they seem intent on severing that connection," Pir told AFP.

The collapse in bilateral relations was caused by a deadly April attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad.

Pakistan denied the allegation and, after tit-for-tat diplomatic retaliation, their militaries fought for four days before a ceasefire was reached.

The conflict hit the music industry for the first time, with Pakistani singer Annural Khalid also remembering how her Indian following dropped off.