Very often, Bollywood’s relationship with Pakistani cinema is discussed through Pakistani actors who found success through Hindi movies. The reverse exchange is less familiar.
Several Indian actors have also worked in Pakistani movies, sometimes in lead roles or sometimes in cameos or song appearances.
Indian actors who have performed in Pakistani films include Naseeruddin Shah in Khuda Kay Liye and Kirron Kher in Khamosh Pani, for which she earned international recognition. The roles ranged from politically charged dramas to stories about Partition and commercial entertainers.
Indian Actors Who Have Worked In Pakistani Movies
1. Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah worked in two Pakistani movies. His first film was with Shoaib Mansoor for Khuda Kay Liye, which was released in 2007.
Naseeruddin Shah played the role of a religious scholar in a courtroom sequence that challenges extremist interpretations of Islam. He further examines the prejudice faced by Muslims after the September 11 attacks.
Six years later, Shah collaborated with Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi for Zindagi Bhaag. The film follows three young men who dream of escaping their circumstances by moving abroad.
Naseeruddin Shah explained his approach to working across the border in an interview with Mint: “For me, these films were another job I wished to do, and it was immaterial where they were being made.”
2. Kirron Kher
Kirron Kher delivered one of the most notable leading performances in Khamosh Pani. Directed by Sabiha Sumar and written by Indian filmmaker Paromita Vohra, the movie follows Ayesha, a widow living in Pakistan whose life is unsettled when her son becomes drawn towards religious fundamentalism.
The film won the Golden Leopard, the top prize at the 56th Locarno International Film Festival in 2003. Kher shared the festival's Best Actress award with Diana Dumbrava and Holly Hunter.
In an interview with The Times of India following the win, Kher described the production as ‘a labour of love.’
3. Nandita Das
Nandita, a director and an actress, worked in Mehreen Jabbar’s Ramchand Pakistani.
The movie is inspired by a real-life incident, and follows the story of a Pakistani Hindi father and son who accidentally cross the Indian border and are imprisoned for life. Nandita plays Champa, the mother and wife.
Speaking to Bollywood Hungama in 2008, Nandita Das said she had been drawn to the story after Jabbar narrated it to her. “She is a very intelligent and sensitive director,” Das said of the filmmaker.
4. Vinod Khanna and Arbaaz Khan
The Pakistani Urdu-language movie Godfather, directed by Hriday Shetty, brought together several Indian and Pakistani performers. Its Indian cast included Vinod Khanna, Arbaaz Khan, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani and Hrishitaa Bhatt, among others.
The action drama centred on power, loyalty and family conflict. Vinod Khanna's involvement was notable because it brought a veteran Hindi film star into a Pakistani production. And Arbaaz Khan added another recognisable Bollywood name to the ensemble.
5. Shweta Tiwari
Popular television actors Shweta Tiwari and Akashdeep Saigal appeared in the Pakistani film Sultanat. Shweta Tiwari, who is widely recognised for Kasautii Zindagii Kay, played the lead role, while Akashdeep Saigal, known for his negative character in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, appeared as a villain.
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The film also featured Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan and Indian character actor Govind Namdeo. Sultanat is a commercial entertainer rather than a Partition or political drama.
6. Johnny Lever
Johnny Lever worked in Reema Khan's Pakistani romantic musical Love Mein Ghum, released in 2011. The movie starred Khan and Moammar Rana, with Lever playing a comic role.
The film was shot partly in Baku, Azerbaijan, and partly in Malaysia, according to published film-reference records. Its international locations and mixed entertainment appeal made it distinct from the more politically grounded films on this list.
7. Arya Babbar and Gulshan Grover
Arya Babbar, Gulshan Grover, and Kanaljit Singh worked together for Virsa. Released in 2010, Virsa is a Punjabi-language film directed by Pankaj Batra.
The story of the movie is based on the tensions between generations as the family's younger members become distanced from their cultural roots.
In a report published by Deccan Herald, producer Vikram Khakhar described the idea behind the project as an attempt to make a film for Punjabi-speaking audiences across Pakistan and the diaspora.
All these movies reveal how Indian actors have been part of Pakistani films spanning social dramas and commercial entertainers. Which of these performances surprised you the most?
FAQs
Q1. Which Bollywood actors have worked in Pakistani movies?
A1. Naseeruddin Shah, Kirron Kher, Nandita Das, Om Puri, Shweta Tiwari and Johnny Lever have appeared in Pakistani films.
Q2. Which Pakistani movies featured Naseeruddin Shah?
A2. Naseeruddin Shah appeared in Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Zinda Bhaag (2013).
Q3. Did Kirron Kher act in a Pakistani film?
A3. Yes, Kirron Kher starred in Khamosh Pani (2003), earning international recognition for her performance.