Pakistani actors who worked in Bollywood
India is our eastern neighboring country, and has a thriving film industry known as Bollywood. Both Pakistan and India got independence from Britian in 1947, after which the local film industry in Pakistan also flourished producing many notable artists, musicians, singers. Indians films have always been popular and followed in Pakistan, but in past 67 years very few Pakistani actors have worked in Indian films. As compared to actors Pakistani singers/musicians have been more successful in India.
This article is a
compilation of Pakistani actors who acted in Indian films. Interestingly the
first such incident was in 1980’s more than three decades after independence.
Till 1980’s Pakistani Urdu and regional cinema of Punjabi and Pushto was
booming. But in 1980’s Urdu cinema gradually faded while regional cinema
continued its progress.
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From 1977 – 1988
Pakistan was ruled by dictator General Ziaul Haq, during his reign Pakistan
enjoyed very warm relations with neighboring India. Though Ziaul Haq put many
restrictions on Urdu films but he has close friendships with many Pakistani and
indian actors. Many Indian artists like Shatrughun Sinha and Dilip Kumar
visited Pakistan during his reign, where they warmly welcomed at President
House. General Ziaul Haq also encouraged leading Pakistani actors to work in
Indian films, a move he thought to bring two countries even more closer. There
were also many regular bilateral cricket series played during Zia’s era.
So then in 1980’s any such incident where a Pakistani actor has worked in an Indian film was a normal thing and none of the actors was ever questioned for loyalty or patriotism. Instead it was termed as good will gesture while the artists were termed as goodwill ambassadors.
Nadeem is undoubtedly super star of Urdu cinema of Pakistan. He ruled the
Urdu cinema for more than three decades. Following warm relations of
Indian and Pakistani as a goodwill gesture in 1986 Nadeem was perhaps the first
ever Pakistani national to work in an Indian film. He appeared in a negative
role in Indian film named Door Desh where Raj Babbar was the main protaganist.
To this date, it is the only bollywood film of Nadeem.
Muhammad Ali and Zeba, a premiere couple of Pakistani film scene also worked
together in an Indian film in 1989 named Clerk. Muhammad Ali has personal terms
with many politicians indcluding former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He
even served two months in jail for supporting Bhutto under Ziaul Haq regime in
late 70’s. But gradually the bitterness faded and Ziaul Haq and Muhammad Ali
became friends. Muhammd Ali also has warm relations with many Indian artists
who use to stay at his home in Lahore during visit to Pakistan.
On personal interest
of Ziaul Haq, Muhammad Ali and Zeba agreed to work in film Clerk directed by
Manoj Kumar who was also a friend of Muhammad Ali. Clerk has some big
names like Rekha, Manoj Kumar, Ashok Kumar but before its release General Ziaul
Haq passed away in a plane crash in August 1988. To everybody’s surprise
Muhammad Ali and Zeba had a very less screen time with minor roles in
Clerk and both of them were wasted in this movie. Muhammad Ali expressed his
discontent at his closest friend Manoj Kumar for cutting short his role in
the movie.
Talat Hussain a very fine artist known for his examplary acting also played a
supporting role in one Indian film. In Pakistan Talat Hussain has worked in
both films and television, though he is more known for his work on television.
Talat Hussain appeared as a lawyer in Indian film Souten ki Beti in 1989.
Zeba a pretty face hails from an influential family of Pakistan. Her father
Yahya Bakhtyar a prominent lawyer also served as Attorney General of Pakistan
and was leading lawyer of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for famous Kasuri Murder case.
Yahya Bakhtyar was married to a western lady named Eva Bakhtyar, so the family
has dual nationality. Apart from Pakistani nationality, Zeba Bakhtiyar also
holds a foreign nationality.
Zeba first appeared in
a long play Anarkali in 1989 on television and was applauded more for her
beauty rather than acting skills. Zeba Bakhtyar first appeared in Indian film
Hinna opposite Rishi Kapoor in 1991 which was produced by legendary Indian
artist Raj Kapoor. Hinna was successful, and afterwards Zeba also worked in few
other Indian films.
Till Zeba Bakhtiyar,
the response of Pakistani press and public was quite favorable towards Indian
films starring Pakistani artists. Infact Hinna was also widely viewed and
appreciated in Pakistan on VCR on video tapes.
Mohsin Khan is a famous cricketer who married indian artist Reena Roy in 1980’s
and migrated to Mumbai where he also started his acting career by appearing in
many Indian films. Batwaara in 1989 was perhaps his first
movie. After breakup with Reena Roy, Mohsin came back to Pakistan and worked in
many local films.
Somy Ali basically
belongs from USA. She was born in Karachi and later shifted to USA. Her
father was Pakistani so she can be termed as an American-Pakistani. Somy
Ali worked in many Indian films in 1990’s. She was famous for dating
Salman Khan in that era as well. Somy never worked in any Pakistani production.
Aneeta Ayoob was the first full Pakistani national female artist to work in Indian films. Before Aneeta Salma Agha has worked on her british passport and Zeba Bakhtiyar also worked on her foreign passport (US or Ireland) in India, but Aneeta went to India with her Pakistani passport. Aneeta was studying acting from an acting institue in India where she was offered a role by famous Indian artist Dev Anand for film Pyaar Ka Trana in 1993. Pyaar Ka Trana failed miserably at Indian box office but Aneeta was casted in another film Gangster also produced by Dev Anand. In 1993, India was shocked by a series of bomb attacks in its financial capital Mumbai (then Bombay).
The hostile Indian
government refused to issue visas to all Pakistanis passport holders, thus Aneeta
forced to leave India midway through the shooting of film Gangster. Later
Gangster was completed outside India but it also failed at box office ending
the Aneeta’s career in Bollywood.
Back in Pakistan
Aneeta was widely criticized not for working in Indian films but for her bold
photoshoots for some Indian fashion magazines.
Aneeta Ayoob was the
last in a series of artists who worked in India from 1980’s to 1990’s. After
Aneeta no Pakistani actor crossed the border for almost a decade. Meanwhile in
Pakistan the fading Urdu cinema reached its end, thus halting film making. From
early 2000’s many new satellite Pakistani channels emerged which revived
Pakistani drama industry providing recognition to new breed of artists. Also
the generation born and raised during and after 1980’s was in full bloom now.
Though most among this new generation do watch Indian movies with same craze as
earlier generations, very few of them have ever seen any Pakistani actor
in a contemporary Indian film.
From 1999 – 2006
Pakistan was again under the dictatorship of another General named Parvez
Musharf. Like General Zia, Pakistan also enjoyed warm relations with India
during Musharraf regime, so cricket ties are resumed and Indian cricket team
visited Pakistan after a gap of nearly 15 years. Same was the case for
arts and showbiz, under these favorable relations many Pakistani artists
started seeking work in Indian films. But unlike Zia’s era when such act
was termed as a good will gesture, most of these artists generally faced
hostile attitude from general public, press, electronic media and social media
some even questioning their faith and loyalty.
During the same era,
ban on screening of Indian films in cinemas is lifted (it was imposed in 1965)
which proved a positive step towards cinema industry. Indian films received
overwhelming response and whole heartedly welcomed by Pakistani cinegoers and
since then Indian films are making new records of business in cinemas.
The artists who worked
in Bollywood since early 2000 are mentioned below.
Sonia Jehan, the grand
daughter of Madam Noor Jehan has worked in Bollywood film Taj Mahal An
Eternal Love Story in 2005.
Moammar Rana a famous filmstar worked in Bollywood movie Doobara in 2004 and then worked in few other films. Moammar Rana is never criticized for working in Indian films as all his films went unnoticed.
Meera worked in Bollywood movie
Nazar in 2005 though Nazar failed at box office. In Pakistan, Meera is more
known for her off the field statements and incidents rather than acting and
same was the case in India. Meera received a harsh response from Pakistani
media over working in Indian film. After working in Nazar meera appeared in few
other bollywood movies which were not much successful.
Sana is a famous name of films who also worked on television. Sana also worked
in few Indian films. Kaafila in 2007 was her first Indian film. She later also
worked in Indian punjabi films. Unlike Meera, Sana escaped the criticism from
media, beacause her films went unnoticed.
Salman Shahid is known for his flawless acting and he also worked in few
Bollywood movies. Kabul Express was his first film in 2006. Salman Shahid was
lightly criticized for appearing in an anti Taliban role in this movie. Salman
Shahid also worked in few other Indian films afterwards.
Humayun Saeed who ruled the television screen for a long time in Pakistan has also worked in one Indian film Jashnn in 2009 in a negative role. Jashnn was not much successful and not much discussed in Pakistan as well.
Television artist Mona Lizza started her bollywood career from Kajraare in
2010 which was not much successful. Mona Lizza worked in few other films as
well and changed her name to Sara Loren. Sara Loren is widely criticized for
working in Indian films.
Veena Malik who is known more for her controversies also worked in many Indian
films. Her first appearance was in a Punjabi Indian film Pind Di
Kurri in 2003. Later she appeared in many other Bollywood films. Veena
was hugely criticized in Pakistan for her selection of roles and bold
photoshoots in India.
Mehrun Nissa Hassan
aka Mehr Hassan is an American national of Pakistani origin. She is daughter
of renown scholar Dr. Riffat Hassan. Mehr Hassan is basically a classical
dancer who also acts in films. She has worked in one Pakistani film Shararat
(2003) directed by Samina Peerzada. Mehr Hassan has worked in several
Indian films of various languages like Diwali in 2002 though none of her film
is ever discussed in Pakistan.
Javed Sheikh is a senior artist, who made his bollywood debut quite late. He appeared in supporting roles in few Indian films like Jannat in 2008 and Om Shaanti Om in 2007.
Ali Zafar the Channo fame singer is also workingi n Indian films. His first
film was Tere Bin Laaden in 2010 which paved his way to further work in
bollywood. Ali Zafar is still working in Indian films, and in general recieves
favorable response from Pakistani media and audience over this.
Meekal who started her career as a model also worked in Indian films. Shoot on Sight in 2007 was his first film, later he appeared in film U R My Jaan. All his films went unnoticed and never discussed in Pakistani media, which perhaps prevented him from any crticism.
Mathira who is known more for her controversies has appeared in an item song in
Indian Punjabi film Young Malang Last
year Mathira also announced that she is working in another Bollywood movie.
Sasha is daughter of
Salma Aagha and squash coach Rehmat Khan. She is also a British national.
Saasha worked in Indian film Aurangzeb in 2013 and is criticized for this role.
Alyy is a british
citizen of Pakistani origin. He has worked in supporting roles in
various Indian films like Stumped (2003), Nazar (2005) and others.
Multi talented Meesha
Shafi is singer, actor and model as well. She was appreciated for her negative
role in blockbuster film Waar. Meesha has also worked in supporting roles in
few Indian films, like in Bhaag Malka Bhaag in 2013.
Humaima is known for
her powerful performance in film Bol in 2011. Humaima will be making her
Bollywood debut from film Raja Natwarlal in 2014. Though the
film is not released so far Humaima is criticzed for this role.
Imran Abbas has many successful
drama serials to his credit. His debut film Creature 3D will release in
September 2014. He received a mixed response from media over the promos of this
film.
Fawad Afzal Khan will
be making bollywood debut from film Khoobsorat in September 2014. Yet to be
released, the promos of the film have received mixed response on social
media and press.
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