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Pakistanis consider Bollywood as the ultimate: Naseeruddin Shah

Pakistanis consider Bollywood as the ultimate: Naseeruddin Shah

Shah talks about actors heading to other entertainment industries.
11 Jun, 2016

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who has worked in a handful of Hollywood films, explains why actors frolicking across borders will "come back very soon."

"Hindi actors have always been dying to go to Hollywood," Hindustan Times quoted Shah as having said. "They would give their arms to go to there."

He then compared the excitement to that of our local actors. "It’s like Pakistani actors are dying to come to India. Pakistani people consider Bollywood to be the ultimate! I go there and they say ‘waah kya films banai hai’," he said jokingly.

But he believes that all those who are currently making their way to Hollywood, will soon return to Bollywood.

"These people who are tom-tomming their entry into Hollywood, are all going to come back very soon, because Hollywood has no place for an Asian to play a lead. It’s a one-off thing," he said.

Shah feels the only thing Bollywood takes from Hollywood is the extravagance it paints, rather than backing films which carry a strong social message.

"We have always been aping Hollywood but only in the superficial manner. The glitz and the glamour! The fact is that mainstream Hollywood will still back a film like Whiplash, Nightcrawler, King’s Speech, Spotlight. Which of our films would back a daring film like Spotlight? Not one. That’s the difference between us and Hollywood," he said.

Across border, Naseeruddin Shah has appeared in action-adventure film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), Monsoon Wedding (2001), The Great New Wonderful (2005).

Comments

Atif Jun 11, 2016 03:05pm
Same way: "These people who are tom-tomming their entry into Bollywood, are all going to come back very soon, because Bollywood has no place for an Pakistani to play a lead. It’s a one-off thing". I will enjoy when they come back
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Akram Jun 11, 2016 03:25pm
Well for the Urdu/Hindi speaking audience, Bollywood is the ultimate, isn't it?
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Zak Jun 11, 2016 03:26pm
No Sir, pakistani actors consider Hollywood the ultimate, not Bollywood. They just go there to help Bollywood out as their is a lack of actors of any value, besides Pakistani actors are far handsomer and prettier.
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Malika Jun 11, 2016 03:26pm
It is true that our pak actors always go gaga ober bollywood
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Abdulla Hussain Jun 11, 2016 03:28pm
"Pakistani people consider Bollywood to be the ultimate!.. Please say some people not all. Honestly speaking majority don't look the way Naseeruddin tried to focus. As for Pakistani actors dying to go to India to act in films, yes to some extent it is correct.
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A Shah Jun 11, 2016 03:28pm
Very shortsighted comments by the respected actor.
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Karma Jun 11, 2016 03:30pm
....Very true..
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Ali Jun 11, 2016 03:44pm
Well said. Apart from Fawad Khan all of our actors have gone for any role offered to them by Bollywood cinema and that is regretful.
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Ak Jun 11, 2016 03:54pm
He must not have watched any Pakistani dramas. No comparison
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jyotsana Jun 11, 2016 03:57pm
@Zak oh really !!!!! there is enough talent and beauty in India,
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sachin Jun 11, 2016 04:11pm
I bet most Pakistanis when they think of Indian cinema they think of Bollywood only and possibly dont even know about the existence of say a Telugu cinema, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Odiya, Assamiya or Bengali cinema. There is clearly a Hindi cinema and a South Indian cinema. There have been exchanges between both. At least, there is a commonality between what Pakistanis understand in Hindi, but the language barriers within India is too high
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Technokraft Jun 11, 2016 04:11pm
Not everyone would agree to him. Many of us consider the so-called bollywood exactly the opposite
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vijay Jun 11, 2016 04:18pm
comparing indians pakistani people do have beauty for sure.....
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kumar Jun 11, 2016 04:25pm
@Zak appreciate your height of imagination sir
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IndianR Jun 11, 2016 04:36pm
@Zak Ok..Request you to name one pakistani actor better than any one of Amitabh Bachhan, Raj Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Sharukh Khan, Imran Khan, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit , Rani Mukherjee , Bidya Balan,Paresh rawal, Akshay kumar list is really long.........
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Anil Jun 11, 2016 04:38pm
@jyotsana he has always some nice things to say when it comes to India!
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Aliza Jun 11, 2016 04:44pm
People go for either one or both reasons. Earn more and/or get more respect.
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Navdeep Singh Jun 11, 2016 04:56pm
Guys read the whole article and you understand what he means.
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kashmiri Jun 11, 2016 05:13pm
@Zak Thanks for helping out, like for Kashmiris , we need freedom from India.
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Reader Jun 11, 2016 05:18pm
How he can speak for all Pakistani? Pakistanis never consider bollywood as ultimate. Most of bollywood movies are copied from other cinematic industires. Hollywood is ultimate. May be some consider bollywood ultimate not all
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Snow leopard Jun 11, 2016 05:23pm
@Zak well whatever you may think.. The fact Is that you can't deny India's cultural invasion in Pakistan through Bollywood. Yoga, Bollywood are a few examples of India's soft power spreading across the world.
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Adeeb Jun 11, 2016 05:40pm
A sweeping statement from an arch actor, shows stereotype mentality,
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Mady Jun 11, 2016 05:49pm
Collaboration has been happening all over the world for ages which is good thing.
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Zak Jun 11, 2016 05:50pm
@jyotsana none what so ever.
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Zak Jun 11, 2016 05:51pm
@IndianR Fawad Khan- one that puts all others aside.
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Zak Jun 11, 2016 05:52pm
@Snow leopard Most of our actors and dramas are over in india. We have best talent.
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master Jun 11, 2016 05:58pm
@Zak .... full agree with you.
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JP Jun 11, 2016 06:14pm
@Zak wake up and smell coffee
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Neutral Neighbour Jun 11, 2016 06:21pm
People from all corners of India flock to Bollywood, so nothing wrong with Pakistani actors going to Bollywood too. Its a large film industry, attracts the very best talent in this part of the world and irrespective of what some of my South Indian friends may say, also has the widest appeal. Of course, Hollywood is miles ahead in terms of creativity but then it also attracts the best talent globally. What Naseeruddin Shah says is true because Indian actors will not get the kind of roles they would like in Hollywood on a consistent basis.
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Bupi Jun 11, 2016 06:24pm
@Zak Dear self praise is always bad. Hope you understand the facts.
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Neeraj Jun 11, 2016 06:29pm
It's coz of the language! And of course Bollywood is a bigger platform!
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Bupi Jun 11, 2016 06:35pm
@Ak Dear by its regretful. As strength of audience is to large in India compare to other nations in subcontinent. Somehow good work of all artists is is apprised who soever he or she is that's the fact
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Bupi Jun 11, 2016 06:36pm
@Zak It's the only truth.
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Mohit Sharma Jun 11, 2016 06:59pm
This guy comes across as an intellectual, rather than an actor. He thinks there is no value to entertainment and drama in cinema. Well, the predominant value of cinema lies in entertainment and drama. (However, no one is denying that films can also be the medium for a social message. ) And most important of all, he also seems to under an illusion that he's done some great acting in Hollywood. His contention that no Asian can play the main characters in Hollywood is disproved by the fact that Brice Lee, and many other Lees have successfully done so.
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Ding Dong Jun 11, 2016 07:07pm
No we don't! In Pakistan we love George Cloney! And yeah one more thing, we also think Marwa is obnoxious!!!
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Ahsan Gul Jun 11, 2016 07:30pm
Indian and Pakistani regardless of their professions are conscious and have high opinion of USA or UK establishment. This happens when someone or a government has low opinion about themselves. For this article let's take movies. I have met Indian who watch hollywood movies but do not even understand theme of the movie s as it relates typical USA culture. On the other hand I have met Pakistanies who watch only Bollywood movies and for them Indian actors are the best. This behavior projects low esteem and lack of confidence which is the result of been under British Raj for over 200 years. The other factor that we, "Indian & Pakistanis " are very much skin color conscious. Both India and Pakistan has talented actors who act and represent their culture perfectly fine. They, actors have no need to go anywhere.
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Sanjeev Yadav Jun 11, 2016 07:54pm
@Zak don't you think you should show some sanitary in your comments.
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Sunil Jun 11, 2016 08:47pm
@Zak Pakistani actors are handsome, but many lack talent, face flops. They migrate to get fame, because Lollywood films are like Lollipops, limited audience. None of Pakistani actors can come to the status of Dilip Kumar, Sashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachhan, Sharukh Khan, Amir Khan, Salman Khan, Hritik Roshan, Akshay Kumar.
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Sunil Jun 11, 2016 08:51pm
@kashmiri Cross over, a free advice. There are great opportunities in Pakistan awaiting for you.
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Ghaznavi Jun 11, 2016 08:53pm
@jyotsana they all come from Pakistan the kapoors, khans all from Pakistan originally. Even Rajesh khannas parents from pre portioned Pakistan.
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Sunil Jun 11, 2016 08:53pm
@Zak Fawad Khan???? Whose first bollywood film Khubsoorat was a flop. And the other Kapoor and Sons, where he played .......... did a mediocre business.
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IndianR Jun 11, 2016 08:57pm
@Zak Who is this Fawad Khan?Does he is recognized in any international audience the way Amitabh or sharukh is?
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ch Jun 11, 2016 08:58pm
nice actor, dancer mr. naseerudinshah
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IndianR Jun 11, 2016 09:01pm
@Zak As an Indian, I do not know Fawd Khan but as a Pakistani you know all these bollywood stars speaks volume.
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romi Jun 11, 2016 09:04pm
@Zak non of actors have made any impression on indian audience ?? non of your actors are even in top 5 league ? most of pak actors have worked only in one bolly wood movie why ? no demand no craze
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khusbo Jun 11, 2016 09:08pm
@vijay being only fair is not beauty
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TooTrue Jun 11, 2016 09:12pm
No they don't. I've never soon a Bollywood movie in my life.
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khusbo Jun 11, 2016 09:12pm
@Zak non of his bollywood movie is superhit ? he may be popular in pakistan but certainly there is no craze for him in india
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asif Jun 11, 2016 09:48pm
Like it or not he said the truth.
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yogi Jun 11, 2016 09:52pm
@Zak Self pride is good but its not the truth, by the way world belives in reality.
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RB Jun 11, 2016 09:57pm
@Zak Hollywood? Let me see who from Pakistan has acted in Hollywood? Um... Ahh... None?
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anon Jun 11, 2016 10:23pm
Mr. Shah proves that Experience is no substitute to Knowledge
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anon Jun 11, 2016 10:32pm
@Ahsan Gul That's what he is saying! Stay in your respective countries.
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SI Jun 11, 2016 10:36pm
@Zak value comes with acting skills and not beauty.
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Rashid Sultan Jun 12, 2016 12:12am
@Ali Our actors and actresses who have performed in Bollywood have done more and better than all the people put together who comment insane things in this column.
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Habib Jun 12, 2016 12:41am
Agreed with N Shah truly portrayed truth
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Abinash Jun 12, 2016 01:07am
@Zak just for u not for the whole world.
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Khwarezmi Jun 12, 2016 01:33am
Th guy who made the most money in any film industry accross the whole world is Shahrukh Khan who is valued over 800 million USD. This include his income outside films as well.
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Another Indian Jun 12, 2016 02:11am
@Zak .. Yes, that explains the well-established Pakistani movie industry.
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Another Indian Jun 12, 2016 02:11am
@A Shah .. Why is it short-sighted when he apparently much more experience in that field than you?
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Mo Jun 12, 2016 02:13am
He has a very good point, Bollywood only copies the glamour the storylines of Bollywood movies are still exactly the same. Sure Bollywood is the ultimate as far as cash is concerned but how many of those movies have won an Oscar in any category as compared to some of our documentaries
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DudeFromDC Jun 12, 2016 02:17am
Not even Pakistanis don't know about their actors. Why is this dude worried so much about them?
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someone_else Jun 12, 2016 06:43am
I think with time Mr. Shah is becoming a bitter person. Sad.
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Mirza Jee Jun 12, 2016 07:55am
No sir!!! Only very few Pakistani consider Bollywood as ultimate!!! In Bollywood one out of 100 movies are worth watching!! No offense, these includes your movies also sir jee!
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Dv Jun 12, 2016 08:29am
In their heart both are culturally same people, the divide is political.
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Sukhi Sukh Jun 12, 2016 09:15am
@Zak So ,how mny of you are in Hollywood? Mind you, many Indians are there.
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Human enough Jun 12, 2016 10:12am
@Zak Fawad Khan is a good actor but there is a long way to go for him if you compare him with those legendary Indian actors. It is very childish to say that he will put actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Nana Patekar aside.
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bebo Jun 12, 2016 10:18am
@Zak Uhm No. Lollywood best bet aka Fawad Khan so far has only done role rejected 6 times or played eye candy in a female centric movie like Khoobsurat. All of this will eventually go when sugar daddy Karan Johar sets his eye on someone else, not very distant future.
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RAK Jun 12, 2016 10:35am
@Zak how many movies fawad khan has worked so far??? was he a solo actor in the movie??? it seems you are purely a ignorant person in life who doesn't know what's going in the real world....
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Jaideep Jun 12, 2016 11:11am
@Zak Good joke ZAK. Keep it up.
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Jawad Jun 12, 2016 11:14am
Because indians actors can't deal with urdu being given used in bollywood since the start of bollywood all the actors are from Pakistani land from Kapoor family to bachchan to khannas..etc
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vivek Jun 12, 2016 11:56am
@Zak where? I am an Indian citizenship never EVER saw Pakistani drama here?
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Razi Jun 12, 2016 12:13pm
Bollywood is a bigger market so it attracts actors from the smaller markets. It is plain demand and supply. Moving from a smaller to a bigger place lands you horizontally but due to difference in altitude, you end up at lower position. If somehow you reach to a higher level, you are good.
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asgher Jun 12, 2016 01:33pm
I am a Pakistani and i dont.
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Truthful from USA Jun 12, 2016 08:36pm
@vivek Because you (Indians) are predudice people how would know the difference without watching a Pakistani drama on TV ???
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Dalim Jun 12, 2016 09:25pm
Right
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someone_else Jun 13, 2016 09:40pm
Bollywood is Mecca for Pakistani artists.
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Aamer Jun 14, 2016 12:27pm
it is true none of the Asian actor made it big in Hollywood. for example Om Puri, Shabana Azmi, Shashi Kapoor, Kabir Bedi, Amresh Puri, Tabu, Farida Pinto etc. they do get offers but none of them share same fame and wealth as Angelina Joli, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawrence or Zac Efferon.
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Masood Hussain Jun 15, 2016 01:42pm
@Ding Dong Mawra is not obnoxious, she is just being her natural self. And yes I don't consider Bollywood as ultimate at all.
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Masood Hussain Jun 15, 2016 01:43pm
Hollywood is the ultimate without any doubt.
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