Images

Why don’t we see more Indian actors in Pakistani films?

Why don’t we see more Indian actors in Pakistani films?

Actors of Pakistani origin migrating to Hindi films is common practice. Does it work the other way round?
21 Oct, 2015

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.)

Naseeruddin Shah recently acted in his second Pakistani film, Zinda Bhaag (2013) - Publicity photo
Naseeruddin Shah recently acted in his second Pakistani film, Zinda Bhaag (2013) - Publicity photo

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.

Kirron Kher in Khamosh Pani
Kirron Kher in Khamosh Pani

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

Comments

JD Oct 21, 2015 12:43pm
You forgot to mention Nandita Das in Mehreen Jabbars 'Ramchand Pakistani'
Recommend
Vishal Rathore Oct 21, 2015 01:13pm
Great...so where are my peace loving brothers who always target India for intolerance and hatred...ban Indian film movement occurred in every 3 month..
Recommend
khanm Oct 21, 2015 01:28pm
No Indian actors want to be the film having a fear of failure.... we have not made any innovation when it comes to film industry.... same old technology...
Recommend
Madhusudan Oct 21, 2015 01:46pm
Pakistanis are highly talented actors so may be they dont need actors from their humsaye neighbours.
Recommend
mhw Oct 21, 2015 02:12pm
good sign... we love them as well despite the hate in India for us.
Recommend
Shakeel Oct 21, 2015 02:41pm
1. Pakistani film budgets are relatively modest 2. Indian actors are used to higher levels of pay Therefore simply put Pakistani films typically cannot afford to buy big Indian actors.
Recommend
xyz Oct 21, 2015 02:54pm
Khuda ke liye movie has good message , I have seen this movie. Muslims should watch it. Action is more important than worship- this movie has this beautiful message.
Recommend
MHamza Oct 21, 2015 03:31pm
Lollywood itself has become a very biG industry...
Recommend
Asad Oct 21, 2015 04:45pm
Pakistani Entrepreneurs are cheap and want best product for less money... They will never pay as much as Indian actors demand. So Indian actors can't work here for less money and why should they
Recommend
Fiz Oct 21, 2015 04:46pm
No screening of Indian movies in Pakistan. Give them a financial kick.
Recommend
Striver Oct 21, 2015 05:12pm
I have seen the Pakistani films in which Indian actors have had a chance to show their acting prowess. Pakistanis would welcome Indian actors in the main stream films as well, not just "art films".
Recommend
Talha Oct 21, 2015 06:06pm
@Shakeel I think if money would be a sole concern then Kareena Kapoor would never have opted to work with Shoaib Mansoor. The fame and quest to bring something new would allure the Indian celebrities to work with talented directors such as Shoaib Mansoor or Sarmad or Jami.
Recommend
Talha Oct 21, 2015 06:11pm
The new wave of Cinematic excellence will eventually outshine the Pakistani film industry in total equilibrium with any of its neighbouring region. The exhibition of our movies in US leading universities or attempt to make Pakistani movie selected in the Oscars are some of the accolades for the cinegoers this year. So it doesn't matter how much budgetary constraints are prevalent, the mark to create novelty and maintain cinematic excellence will pave way for yet more achievements going forward.
Recommend
Khan Saab Oct 21, 2015 07:03pm
@Vishal Rathore India is intolerant with rampant bigotry, what are you talking about?
Recommend
Shiraz Oct 21, 2015 07:41pm
We are already watching the performance of super hit actors of BJP, RSS, Shiv Sena in the real world rang de basanti. Do we need more. No we don't.
Recommend
Sasa Oct 21, 2015 08:37pm
Economy success and worldwide fame are the key reason, people from pakistan go to Bollywood.
Recommend
k k tiwari India Oct 21, 2015 09:51pm
I am too excited to see Pakistani films, Maa ke Aansoo was first I saw, then Ramchandra Pakistani, Khuda ke Liye also. I waited for release of Bin Roye.
Recommend
Iqbal Khan Oct 21, 2015 09:55pm
Mr Shah you yourself answered your question "I was reluctant to accept it because I didn’t have a good impression about Pakistani movies" beside its very expensive to afford you guys.
Recommend
Syed Ahmed, Canada Oct 21, 2015 11:00pm
Will Pakistani film industry be in a position to pay their hefty remunerations.
Recommend
Fried Chillies Oct 21, 2015 11:10pm
In all honesty Pakistan has talent. And frankly as someone has already mentioned it, Talent does not need big budget for effective story telling. Its only a matter of time before Pakistani films make their mark. The real challenge for Pakistanis will follow after that. Since once the commercial interests set in they start to corrupt both the Art and the Artiste. Can is point Indian film industry. To my Indian friends do you really think the crap we produce for most part is even worth our self consumption let alone exhibition. If anything we should start a movement to hide our movies which are a total disgrace to the medium and the well earned standing of yore
Recommend
Hasan Oct 22, 2015 12:23am
@Vishal Rathore Have you not been reading what Shiv Sena is doing? Wake up dude!
Recommend
Ali Vaqar Awan Oct 22, 2015 02:40am
Attracting Bollywood star to work in Lollywood is an uphill task. Our movies need to be strong on story and direction along with financial returns.
Recommend
Kumar Oct 22, 2015 03:35am
At first most of the film personalities are busy in India itself. Very few want to show their affinity to Pakistan like Shah.
Recommend
Kumar Oct 22, 2015 03:38am
Pakistan is very rich compared to India. they need to make high budget films and invite A.R.Rahman.
Recommend
Bitter truth Oct 22, 2015 06:32am
Same reasons as why not many Hollywood actors act in Bollywood movies.
Recommend
saeed Oct 22, 2015 09:04am
An honest truth, because we are resist!
Recommend
ahmed Oct 22, 2015 11:26am
To both Pakistani and Indians. Say whatever you feel to each other, just donot kill anyone from either side. Life is too precious for a mother, father, son,daughter,sister and a brother or a friend.
Recommend
Simply_cricket Oct 22, 2015 11:32pm
As long as India doe snot restore sporting relations with India it makes sense to ban India films in Pakistan. As long as India does not lose revenue they will not feel the pinch.
Recommend
someone Oct 22, 2015 11:38pm
You can't afford them.
Recommend
viki Oct 23, 2015 10:25pm
@Fried Chillies i dont why always talent issue comes each and every one(pakistanis)of them is talented in the world if pakistan is 25crore talented we indians are 125 crore talented people,kindly dont raise it ,no one individually owns all the talent.Also indian film industry is not such easy one , to act in an film there are thousands and thousands are in q only few get chance and few succeed and get into lime light many thousands vanish without trace(inspite of loads and loads of talent)
Recommend