ARTICLE
Why don’t we see more
Indian actors in Pakistani
films?
A
ctors 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."
7 | BOOM