Images

What does Bollywood think of Pakistani actresses working in India?

What does Bollywood think of Pakistani actresses working in India?

They love the idea of collaborating with these talented beauties!
28 Jun, 2016

It's no news that Bollywood has taken a liking to Pakistani actors.

Pakistani dramas have already been a hit there, proven by Vidya Balan who religiously watches the shows on the Zindagi Channel.

So why does Bollywood cast Pakistani actors and what do they think about this concept of Pak-India collaboration in the cinema? Hindustan Times had some industry experts weigh in.

1) They add fresh appeal to Indian cinema

“The biggest advantage of casting Pakistani actresses is that they bring loads of freshness, since no one [in India] has seen them earlier on TV, in films or in ads. So, there’s novelty. Plus, they are a deadly combination of beauty and talent,” says casting director Mukesh Chhabra.

2) They are easier to work with than most existing actresses in Bollywood.

A Bollywood film-maker, who prefers to stay anonymous, says unlike a lot of Indian girls, Pakistani actresses are “very professional” with “no unnecessary tantrums”. Plus, their command over the Hindi language “is better, and can’t be compared [to some of the Indian actresses]”.

3) Technology has made it easy to find talent

“It’s a director’s prerogative to decide which actor fits the bill for his or her film. Thanks to satellite TV and the Internet, we are aware of the talent [in other countries too]. So, we can easily identify them. Plus, going by their work in Pakistan, they are all solid actors too,” says trade expert Taran Adarsh.

4) It depends on the role, and sometimes a role just suits a specific actor

“As a film-maker, what works best with non-regular casting is that you - as the audience - would believe the character more than concentrating on the image of the star. We auditioned other girls, too, for the part, but Mahira acts and looks her part [in the film],” says Raees director Rahul Dholakia.

Comments

Hashim Malik Jun 28, 2016 07:42pm
Good for them.
Recommend
gp65 Jun 28, 2016 07:58pm
So how many Pakistani actresses in recent times have had hits India? None so far. Mawra's movie flopped, Mahira's movie is yet to be released, flopped, Sara Loren has flopped.
Recommend
Awesome Lyrics Jun 28, 2016 08:06pm
Come on guys there are actresses from many countries now working in India and its Bollywood.
Recommend
True Indian Jun 28, 2016 08:29pm
Actually, Bollywood is long dominated by Khans and Punjabis with few exception from South India. Since most of the Pakistanis too are of Punjab origin with exception from Sindh, hence, those Pakistani performers get easy acceptance.
Recommend
kash Jun 28, 2016 08:30pm
India has no biases, we just care for talent.
Recommend
GA Jun 28, 2016 08:32pm
I think more than anything its the command of the Urdu language and accent that may attract the Indian audience. I have heard positive comments from Indian friends about the formality with which Pakistanis speak with at home and in the news media. 'Zabardast' vs 'Jabardast'?
Recommend
Michael Jun 28, 2016 08:49pm
I agree with author...but I think underline issue is to capture both market for Bollywood. It's very calculated strategy, as they employ top artist of Pakistan...Bollywood kills two birds with one stone...strategy....brings loyalty from Pakistani viewers and that spell more money investors.
Recommend
Mahesh Jun 28, 2016 09:09pm
They are cost effective too
Recommend
Gaurav Jun 28, 2016 09:26pm
They are most welcome to work
Recommend
wiserneighbour Jun 28, 2016 09:37pm
Plus they cost one tenth of the remuneration Indian stars are demanding.A kangana Raut or Kareena demand 3 to 4 crore per film
Recommend
Realist Jun 28, 2016 11:32pm
Forget everything I like Mahira very much. She is pure n innocent like dew drop. And a very generous actor. Can't forget her splendid acting in Humsafar. I really want her to see her here working well.
Recommend
nag Jun 29, 2016 12:00am
who cares whether they are from pakistan or india or any other country. as long as the film is good acting is good then its fine.
Recommend
Luqman Hafeez Jun 29, 2016 12:12am
I think Bollywood and Indian people in general should be given credit for welcoming Pakistani actors while political situation remains tense. Bollywood has the capacity to play a huge role in normalizing ties of the two neighbours.
Recommend
Karma Jun 29, 2016 01:28am
@wiserneighbour ....Kangana takes 10 to 12 crs for a film....
Recommend
Karma Jun 29, 2016 01:33am
..The main disadvantage for pakistani actresses is their body weight.....these actresses are very skinny....so they wont get any more films after debuting....
Recommend
MP Singh Jun 29, 2016 02:40am
The best film that I liked and watched at least 10 times was Pakistani film "Khuda Ke Liye". I always look for Pakistani movies or Pakistani actors and actresses in Bollywood movies. I am sure they get due respect and appreciation in India.
Recommend
Khan Jun 29, 2016 02:46am
Bollywood is full of talent and beauty and they don't need anyone else but there is a niche market for Pakistani talent and Logic is very simple....Pakistan actors/actress/singers are affordable and take way less money than Bollywood stars. Hiring a Pakistan talent = viewership in Pakistan as well...its all economical at the end.
Recommend
JB Jun 29, 2016 03:39am
"they are a deadly combination of beauty and talent,” I can agree with that! Pakistani women are straight from heaven.
Recommend
Zak Jun 29, 2016 04:45am
We want Less of Bollywood, more of Lollywood.
Recommend
Farouq Omaro Jun 29, 2016 05:25am
Good to know.
Recommend
Vishal Jun 29, 2016 08:13am
It's good business. The actresses are much cheaper to employ and having a Pakistani actress adds 10-20 lakh to the revenue from the Pakistan market because of the added interest.
Recommend
Proud Pakistani Jun 29, 2016 08:14am
@wiserneighbour while I agree about cost effectiveness but not one tenth as they still earn way more in Pakistan. Television industry has really boomed in Pakistan and TV actors are making a lot of money here.
Recommend
Kaly Jun 29, 2016 10:20am
@MP Singh - Go , settled and watch movies after movies in Pakistan...
Recommend
Anil Jun 29, 2016 10:23am
@Zak you hate anything that is Indian.Basically you are brainwashed with hatred.
Recommend
Shivan Jun 29, 2016 10:37am
Pakistani actresses are no doubt very pretty, but they are handicapped in emoting the Indian ethos on the screen. Probably they speak good Urdu and therefore may be able to deliver a dialogue in Hindustani more easily than convent-educated non Hindi speaking Indian actresses, yet that earthy Indian touch is missing. I suppose Indian audiences have to see more and more of them to get used to them. Better relations between the neighbours of course will be a big boost.
Recommend
Aamer Jun 29, 2016 11:15am
Most of the Pakistani actor flopped big time, in 80's it was Nadeem, Mohammad Ali and Zeba and Mohsin Khan, in 90's it was Zeba Bakhtiar, Anita Ayub. After 90's Meera, Veena Malik, Sara Lorain, Mawra, Imran Abbas etc. They all flopped. The only one who is a bit hit is Fawad Khan. Mahira Khans movie is yet to come anything can happen.
Recommend
DesiMan Jun 29, 2016 11:25am
@gp65 It's about access to opportunity. Now they have a positive brand, which ensures they are noticed and considered. Nobody can guarantee hits.
Recommend
Adil Jun 29, 2016 12:09pm
Well, Bollywood actresses do not get strong roles. Few are able to establish themselves as stars like Madhuri Dixit or Hema Malini. Pakistanis, what I see in their TV performances, which look like Indian serials of the 80s, 90s with the date changed, are somewhat stiff and formal. That suits some scenes but not many. To bring life to the character they have to straddle across a wider spectrum. Otherwise, it is the flop, semi-flop, not a flop and then step away route.
Recommend
mohsin Jun 29, 2016 12:39pm
No Pakistani she or he has made a memorable debut so far.
Recommend
Ali Jun 29, 2016 01:14pm
@gp65 STILL many are getting work,,, this proves that we do have room in Bollywood and beyond..
Recommend
Raj_ Jun 29, 2016 01:25pm
@Proud Pakistani Any reason why only Pakistan actors seek work in Bollywood and not other way around?
Recommend
Rashid Sultan Jun 29, 2016 02:38pm
Refreshing to know that the relationship between social groups and individuals that matter are not influenced by crass 'hate mongering' politicians on both sides.
Recommend
SANE MIND Jun 29, 2016 03:10pm
@Zak Only if wishes had wings. LOL
Recommend
Fandom Beyond the Borders Jun 29, 2016 03:28pm
It's good to see how creative fraternity of both the nations cooperating with each other. Isn't it a cue for ever-hate-mongering political community of India and Pakistan to follow suit of these creatives?
Recommend
Ekansh Singh Jun 29, 2016 04:33pm
I don't want Indians or any other from South Asia. I seek Scarlet Johansson, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams and others like them. In short, seeking a good actresses who knows about acting. As for Indian superstars some r fine and avg.
Recommend
muhibbewatan Jun 30, 2016 12:17am
The "tantrums" part is so very true. Knowing the current snobbish atmosphere in Bollywood, even the newcomers are showing off some of that what to talk about the more established ones. The real reason behind this trend is that the Pakistani actresses are not openly and willingly indulging in vulgar and obscene dramatisation in bollywood. This characteristic alone speaks of what 'talent' really means and what is being treated as a 'fresh' change by the cinegoers in India. All in all, a welcome trend that must be taken in the positive sense without arm twisting by the female stars.
Recommend
Syed Nazim Jun 30, 2016 01:32am
Missed important factor. Pakistan is a big market for movies. Naturally it is easy to get released films in Pakistan staring Pakistani actors. Good business.
Recommend
sonyc Jun 30, 2016 02:16am
@Zak always a negative never a positive comments
Recommend
tar Jun 30, 2016 08:08am
@kash Money and business matters!!!
Recommend
KnowTheTruth Jun 30, 2016 11:33am
The good thing is whether they are a hit or not, everybody gets some work in bollywood. Nobody goes hungry.
Recommend
abid hussain Jun 30, 2016 05:35pm
Bollywood is too permissive and our girls have to be liberal in exposure. Even then no one has been able to make any mark in spite of the fact that they exposed, kissed and did intimate scenes. Remember Mira, Veena, Malik, Humaima et al.
Recommend
Umar Khitab Jun 30, 2016 11:54pm
Expats never have any respect..The ladies would make way for new ladies...Its time the greedy Pakistani elite sponsor their own cinema...till then these ladies and gentlemen would go and work in the movies for insignificant roles for a few dollars more
Recommend
gp65 Jul 01, 2016 02:44am
@Syed Nazim "Missed important factor. Pakistan is a big market for movies. Naturally it is easy to get released films in Pakistan staring Pakistani actors. Good business." 1. Pakistani market provides less than 1% of total revenue of a Bollywood movie because there are less than 200 cinema halls that show Bollywood movies in Pakistan. 2. Most of the revenue for Bollywood movie shown in Pakistan goes to Pakistani distributors NOT Bollywood producers. Please recognize the goodwill in hiring Pakistani actors for what it is. There is very little incremental business that Indian producers get from this.
Recommend
Anis Jul 01, 2016 09:48am
India is a huge market. People from so many countries work in India. There is nothing great a few Pakistanis have also found some work, but nothing noteworthy so far.
Recommend
sunil kumar patel Jul 01, 2016 04:06pm
the reason is indian like fair skin, have a racial inclination for tall fair lady.... even if less talented
Recommend
OmarFL Jul 01, 2016 06:35pm
@sunil kumar patel You hit it right on the nail. As for talent, the only place where Pakistani's generally lack talent is dancing because it is not part of our culture like it is in India. As for acting, they are great.
Recommend
Khan Jul 02, 2016 01:34am
Had we adopted Urdu as national language. We still could do that. Or at least, a co-national language. We need that badly.
Recommend
Bupi Jul 02, 2016 04:36pm
We in India look talent not by Religion Region but by ones abilities. That's one of the best example industry carries
Recommend
Pune-India Jul 03, 2016 11:18am
Not only Pakistan's but Sri Lanka's Jacquiline Farnandise, Manisha Koirala from Nepal also working in Bollywood..this is the industry of Glamour and show not religion and Politics
Recommend