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Actors of Pakistani origin migrating to Hindi films is common practice – once the visa is approved. Does it work the other way round? Do Indian actors seek work in Lollywood?

They don’t need to for money. So they have to be fuelled by a passion to do something radical. Once in a while, Indian actors use their star wattage to highlight social issues through Pakistani films.

Naseeruddin Shah played a moderate maulvi in Khuda Ke Liye (2007), holding forth on the liberal views of the Quran. In a lengthy but fitting climax, Islam is beautifully explained to those who follow religion with their blinkers on.

Memorably he exclaims, "Deen mein daadhi hai, daadhi mein deen nahi." (My beard is in my religion, my religion is not in my beard.)

Khuda Ke Liye was the highest grossing film of 2007 in Pakistan. Its success and popularity at home led to a release in India, to much critical acclaim.

Said Shah of his experience acting in the film, “When Shoaib Mansoor (the director) offered me a role in Khuda Ke Liye, I was reluctant to accept it because I didn’t have a good impression about Pakistani movies, but that film changed my perception altogether and now I consider it the most important movie of my professional career.”

Shah took on another role in Zinda Bhaag (2013), choosing not to wear the long white beard he did in Khuda Ke Liye, incensing some viewers and delighting others.

Khamosh Pani (2003), directed by Sabiha Sumar, is the only other time actors of Indian origin (Kirron Kher, Shilpa Shukla) travelled to Pakistan to shoot. The critically acclaimed film won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival.

Kher says she chose to do the film for an emotional reason. "Playing Ayesha was a very fulfilling experience. My mother hails from West Pakistan. She has been a witness to Partition. I grew up on the stories of that time. I acted out the role from instinct."

But, she also feels she had to do the film for the borders to become porous for artists.

Sabiha agrees. "We should have more Indian actors working in Pakistan. Artistes from both sides should be able to use resources freely across the border."

The article, republished with permission, originally appeared at Scroll.in