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.
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.
Salma Agha
Salma Agha is basically a british national of Pakistani and Indian origin. Her father Agha Liaqut was a trader and mother Zareena Agha had also worked in Indian films in 1950’s. Salma Agha’s aunt (khala) Shaheena Ghaznavi had also worked in few Pakistani films in 1950’s. Salma is brought up in London and she rose to fame from her first superhit Bollywood film named Nikaah in 1981. Salma also provided vocals for the film and also won Filmfare award for best singer in Nikaah. Throughout 1980’s Salma continued working in Indian films. In mid 1980’s Salma came to Pakistan to work in Pakistani films as singer and actor.
Nadeem
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
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
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 Bakhtiyar
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
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
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
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
Sonia Jehan, the grand daughter of Madam Noor Jehan has worked in Bollywood film Taj Mahal An Eternal Love Story in 2005.
Moammar Rana
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
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
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
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.
Humayn Saeed
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.
Mona Lizza aka Sara Loren
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
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.
Mehr Hassan
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
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
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 Zulfiqar
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
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.
Saasha Agha
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 Khan
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.
Meesha Shafi
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 Malick
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
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
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.
So it ends up a relatively long list. Thanks for your patience.
P.S. Special thanks to my niece Samia Wajid as well who has helped me to compile this list especially for the artists who worked in bollywood after 2000.
Rashid Nazir Ali
