Ever since separation and their respective stands about Kashmir, India and Pakistan haven’t really been on good terms. Tensions have always existed between the two countries and things have been on the edge ever since the Pulwama incident in India. In fact, tensions escalated to such a point that every Pakistani artist who had been working in India was banned for an indefinite period of time. And even though artists from both countries have collaborated in the past in films and dramas, there have been strict no Pakistani or Indian actor policies implemented in both countries.
So while we wait for the ban to be lifted on both sides of the border, let’s reminisce the time and actors from India, who have previously worked in Pakistani films.
Sheila Ramani
Late Bollywood actress Sheila Ramani was probably the first Indian actress to do a Pakistani film after partition. Sheila Ramani originally hails from Sindh, Pakistan and did a Pakistani movie called ‘Anokhi’ in 1959. Although Sheila was known as one of the boldest Indian actresses, Sheila did ‘Anokhi’ on the insistence of her uncle.
Johnny Lever
The famous comedian from India worked in a film called ‘Love Mein Ghum’ starring Moammar Rana and Reema Khan. The film was directed and produced by Reema Khan herself and was shot in Baku, Azerbaijan and Malaysia.
Shweta Tiwari
Shweta Tiwari once happened to be India’s darling television starlet with her role as Prerna in Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kasautii Zindagii Ki’ on Star Plus. Shweta too appeared in a Pakistani film titled ‘Sultanat’, which had released in 2014 and was created and directed by Syed Faisal Bukhari. ‘Sultanat’ was panned on the box office owing to a weak storyline and a string of controversial songs.
Naseeruddin Shah
Now Naseeruddin Shah is a name that needs no introduction. The veteran Indian actor has done remarkable work not only in India but in Pakistan too. His most memorable work in Pakistan happens to be ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ that released in 2007. The film was directed by Shoaib Mansoor and also starred Fawad Khan, Shaan and Iman Ali. ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ happens to be one of the best Pakistani films to be produced to date. Naseeruddin Shah also starred in the 2013 ‘Zinda Bhaag’.
Kirron Kher
The gorgeous and immensely talented Indian actress, Kirron Kher starred in a 2003 Pakistani film ‘Khamosh Pani’. Directed by Sabiha Sumar, ‘Khamosh Pani’ won several awards including the Best Actress Award for Kirron Kher at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The film was shot in a Pakistani village and was released in both India and Pakistan.
Shilpa Shukla
Majorly known for her role as Bindiya in Chak De! India, Shilpa Shukla was also a part of Sabiha Sumar’s ‘Khamosh Pani’. It would be interesting to note that ‘Khamosh Pani’ happens to be Shilpa’s debut film and one which helped her get noticed.
Om Puri
An Indian veteran actor who needs no introduction. Om Puri has been a part of quite a few Pakistani films. The late actor’s most famous contribution to Pakistani cinema happens to be the Fahad Mustafa starrer ‘Actor In Law’, which also starred Mehwish Hayat in a pivotal role and has been directed by Nabeel Qureshi under Filmwala Productions. The production house also paid a tribute to Om Puri after his passing in their film ‘Load Wedding’. Where he appeared as Fahad Mustafa’s character’s Raja’s late father.
Nausheen Ali Sardar
Nausheen Ali Sardar more famous for her role as Kkusum in Ekta Kapoor’s drama serial of the same name, also featured in a couple of Pakistani films. Nausheen acted in the film, “Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaoon Ga” directed by Javed Fazil and starred alongside the likes of Humayun Saeed, Nadeem and Jawed Sheikh.
Neha Dhupia
Most famously known for her bold, romantic-action film, ‘Julie’, Neha Dhupia also tried her luck on this side of the border. Neha made her debut in Pakistani films with the film ‘Kabhi Pyar Na Karna’ directed by Javed Raza. The film also starred Zara Sheikh, Moammar Rana and Veena Malik in leading roles.
Vinod Khanna
The lover boy of Bollywood, veteran actor Vinod Khanna also starred in the Pakistani version of the famous Hollywood series ‘Godfather’. The film was directed by Hriday Shetty and Khanna played the main character in the film. The movie had released in Pakistan in 2007.
Alongside the above mentioned Indian actors, a number of other prominent and less prominent actors from Bollywood have been part of Pakistani cinema as well. This includes Arbaaz Khan, Preeti Jhangiani, Hrishita Bhatt, Kim Sharma, Nafisa Ali, Chetan Hansraj, Achint Kaur, Govind Namdeo, Deepak Shirke, Akashdeep Sehgal, Amrita Arora, Shehzad Khan, Kanwaljit Singh, Kunika, Pooja Kanwal, Aditi Singh, Shaheen Khan and Simran. Hopefully, the geopolitical situation can get better, so the two countries’ artists can collaborate once again and there’s no limit to creativity.
