The unfortunate Uri attacks impacted Bollywood in a way no one had imagined. As a consequence, a ban imposed on Pakistan-based artistes made some of the releases difficult and posed threat to a few others that are scheduled to arrive in the coming months.
While Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar and Mahira Khan are some of the famous actors from the neighbouring country who quickly made a place in the hearts of Indian viewers, some real gems have been silently working for a good number of years in the glitz-struck industry.
Salman Shahid is a gifted and definitely low-key actor who delivered a strong performance in the critically-acclaimed Ishqiya. The Karachi-born actor has also done some good work on stage over the years.
Alyy Khan, who moved to Kolkata when he was very young, was born in Karachi. He has played supporting roles in some big banner Bollywood films, including Luck By Chance and Don 2.
Rawalpindi-born Javed Sheikh began appearing in Hindi films over a decade ago, and was noticed in Shahid Kapoor-starrer Shikhar. He then went on to work in Apne, Om Shanti Om, Jaan-E-Mann, Namastey London, Yuvvraaj and Jannat, among others.
Somy Ali, who was popular for being Salman Khan's girlfriend in the early 1990s, featured in as many as 16 films during her time in Bollywood. She then apparently moved to New York to pursue higher studies.
Humaima Malik, Sara Loren, Mawra Hocane and Imran Abbas are some of the other Pakistan-based artistes who have worked in Bollywood.
While all the above-mentioned actors successfully and quietly went about their work for years, a number of new Pakistan-based artistes are now making waves — and news — in Bollywood.
Fawad has a couple of things going right for him. First up, he is a brilliant actor and secondly, he has some handsome looks. He made his Bollywood debut with Sonam Kapoor-starrer Khoobsurat, in which he played a royal. In his next, Kapoor and Sons, he essayed the role of a homosexual individual and was lauded for his natural performance. His third film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, in which he has an extended cameo, kicked up quite a bit of a storm. In it, he plays a DJ and Alizeh's (Anushka Sharma) boyfriend.
Ali Zafar has done fair bit of work and has not just acted in films but also sung a few songs. He achieved quite a fan following with his boy-next-door acts in Meri Brother Ki Dulhan, Kill Dil, Tere Bin Laden and Chashme Baddoor.
Mahira, on the other hand, has grabbed headlines even before her Bollywood career has taken off. She stars in Shah Rukh Khan's Raees, which has been delayed and will now be released on January 26 2017. But whether the film will witness a smooth release is a question that must be bothering her. And all.
