Many Pakistani stars have left their mark in Bollywood. The film industry started in the subcontinent way before independence. Moreover after independence, the same language, similar culture and similar stories made both Pakistani and Indian stars and content relevant to each other. Indians have always watched Pakistani dramas while Indian films are still popular in Pakistan. There have been times when Pakistani stars went and worked in India and got a lot of praise for their talent. This has happened since ages and though there have been breaks in between due to political tensions, Pakistani stars and talent have been appreciated in India. Here is a list of Pakistan’s biggest names who achieved success in Bollywood:
Noor Jehan
Noor Jehan is considered one of the biggest musical talents of the sub-continent. She sang hundreds of songs in both Urdu and Punjabi and her milli nagmas are at the heart of the nation till date. She was also a film star when she started her career in the united India and gave successful films like Anmol Ghadi and Mela. Noor Jehan stayed in Pakistan after partition as she was strongly patriotic. She came back to her birth place Lahore and started working for the Pakistani film industry.
Here is Noor Jehan’s daughter explaining why she left India despite having a very successful career behind her:
Mohsin Khan
Ace Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan is another name who was able to make a mark in Bollywood. He appeared in several films in his career and was quite successful in Bollywood. He was also married to Bollywood starlet Reena Roy. The couple had a daughter together but later on separated. Mohsin Khan moved back to Pakistan full time and he has since then focused on his cricketing career. He did films like Mahaanta, Madam X, Fateh and Saathi in Bollywood.
Zeba Bakhtiar
Zeba Bakhtiar is a big name in the Pakistani entertainment industry. She is also among the stars who managed to win hearts both in India and Pakistan. Her beauty, grace and talent proved to be a winning combination when she made her debut in Bollywood with Rishi Kapoor starrer Henna. She also appeared in films like Mohabbat Ki Aarzoo, Jai Vikranta and Muqadama.
Javed Sheikh
Javed Sheikh joined the Bollywood bandwagon quite late in his career but he can be considered as the most successful Pakistani star who worked in Bollywood. He started out with Shahid Kapoor starrer Shikhar and then worked with nearly all the big stars in India. He has been a part of films like Om Shanti Om, Namaste London, Apne and Yuvvraj. He stopped working in Bollywood after political tensions arose and he is still friends with all the big wigs in Bollywood.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a global star with several records and accolades to his name. He is one of the biggest names to come out of Pakistan and his music will live on forever. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sung many songs for Bollywood films as well and his music is still copied by Indian musicians decades after he passed away.
Nazia Hassan
Nazia Hassan was a sensation when she started her career as a young girl. Her songs Aap Jaisa Koi and Disco Deewane are still known to everyone and even remade in Bollywood films. Her beautiful voice as Zeenat Aman’s playback for Qurbani put her on the map and she was as successful in Bollywood after that as she was a star in Pakistan.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan followed in his uncle’s footsteps and sang a lot of songs in Bollywood. He is still the top choice for all Indian events and his music is exceptional. He recently performed at the Ambani wedding as well though he has not been working for films due to political tensions between the two countries.
Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam is also another global star. After his Aadat became a hit, he got offers and went to Bollywood where he sang many memorable songs. No film was complete without his music and he is now branching out into Bollywood’s sister industries. He is also a hot favourite for big Indian events and just performed at the Ambani wedding in London. Atif Aslam is loved by millions and he is one of the biggest names for Bollywood as well.
Sonya Jehan
Sonya Jehan is the granddaughter of Madam Noor Jehan. She is married to an Indian banker and lives in India. She has also worked in Bollywood films and has projects like Taj Mahal and My Name Is Khan under her belt. She has also worked in Pakistani films and she likes to pick up unique scripts.
Fawad Khan
Fawda Khan is the superstar everyone loves. He has a grip on the Pakistani audience though he does not appear in too many roles. He mesmerized the Indian audiences equally when he made his debut with Khoobsurat. Fawad Khan was being dubbed the fourth Khan and he even had many people in India insecure of his potential. He was also banned to work in Indian films by the extremist Indian government but his fans there still love him to pieces.
Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is another starlet who got famous in India due to her drama Humsafar. She was approached by the filmmakers and finally made her debut opposite Shahrukh Khan in Raees. Her beauty and grace was admired and she would have made waves if the political tensions had not arisen as she is a super star through and through.
Ali Zafar
Ali zafar is another star who went to Bollywood and made a mark both with his acting and music. He was choosing niche films and was able to establish himself as a bankable star. He was later banned from working in India after tensions arose between the two countries.
Saba Qamar
Saba Qamar took a unique way as she signed up for a very non-glamorous film Hindi Medium opposite Irfan Khan. The film went on to earn 300 crore rupees at the box office and she was nominated for a Filmfare with her very first film. She was admired for her acting skills and talent and she showed Bollywood what she is made of.
Sajal Aly
Sajal Aly impressed Bollywood with her hard-hitting acting in the film Mom. She developed a beautiful bond with co-star Sridevi during the film and the movie did well in India.
Mawra Hocane
Mawra Hocane got a lot of criticism from Pakistan for her film Sanam Teri Kasam in Bollywood but the film is actually considered a cult classic romance in India. She was able to impress everyone with her beauty and talent and though she did only one movie, she is still remembered for it.
