Pakistani artists winning hearts in India: Singers, actors & musicians
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Pakistani celebrities have gained immense popularity not only in Pakistan but also across the border in India in years, many Pakistani stars have amassed a massive fan base in India.
Several stars have found their place in the hearts of Indian viewers, and their popularity continues to rise.
Atif Aslam, one of Pakistan's most celebrated pop singers, made his Bollywood debut in 2005 with the song 'Woh Lamhe' from the movie Zeher. Over the years, he has performed in numerous Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and has made memorable appearances in many Bollywood tracks. In addition to his successful career, Atif Aslam has recently launched an innovative project called Borderless World, designed to break down barriers in the arts and provide a global stage for emerging musical talent.
Ali Zafar, a beloved figure among millions of young girls in Pakistan, has also captured the hearts of audiences in India. Not only has he showcased his acting skills in several Bollywood films, but he has also lent his voice to many of his movie soundtracks.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a renowned Sufi Qawwali singer from Pakistan, widely celebrated for bringing the soulful essence of Sufi music to Bollywood. His powerful voice has made him one of the most successful Pakistani artists in the Indian film industry, earning him immense admiration across the border.
Among the most notable names is Hania Aamir, a young actress who has quickly become a favourite both in Pakistan and India. She rose to prominence with the success and continued to shine in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Her growing fame in India has even led to her being seen with Indian celebrities like Badshah and Diljit Dosanjh, with speculation about a potential Bollywood debut.
Fawad Khan, widely regarded as one of the most handsome actors in India, became a household name with Zindagi Gulzar Hai and later appeared in Bollywood films like Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Despite political tensions and a ban, Fawad's charm continues to captivate Indian audiences, and he is set to return to Indian screens via an OTT project.
Mahira Khan, another beloved Pakistani star, made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, where her beauty and acting skills were well-received. Although she too faced a ban, Mahira's popularity in India remains unaffected, and she continues to maintain strong ties with Indian celebrities.
Wahaj Ali's performance in Tere Bin as Murtasim Khan earned him a significant following, not just in Pakistan but also in India, where the drama was widely appreciated. He is now a familiar name in Indian households and regularly receives admiration from his Indian fans.
Yumna Zaidi, with her critically acclaimed performances, saw her popularity soar in India after her role in Tere Bin. Her character, Meerab, became a phenomenon, and her fanbase across the border is eagerly awaiting her return in the drama's sequel.
Mawra Hocane, who made her Bollywood debut with Sanam Teri Kasam, continues to enjoy immense popularity in India. Fans are hoping for a sequel to the film, with Mawra's strong fanbase eagerly awaiting her return to the big screen.
Their influence in India continues to grow, and their projects are eagerly awaited by millions of fans across the neighbouring country.
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In the great theatre of the subcontinent, many roles are played. The diplomat with his pocket square, ever so cautious, so vary of his words; the journalist with his war drum baritone and breaking news ticker; the general adorned in ranks, with his maps, military insights and strategically placed metaphors. But perhaps the most watched performers, the ones that garner the most eyeballs, are the stars, the celebrities, the legends of celluloid — those silken, sculpted, social-media-verified wonders of Indian cinema, who, in times of tension, often hold more sway over the hearts of their fans than even actual heads of state. So, when the most recent diplomatic domino between Pakistan and India began to fall, sparked by a tragic incident in Kashmir and snowballing into a full-blown chest-thumping war mongering chaos, eyes obviously turned to the borders. For the latest updates and bulletins, eyes turned to the news. And for everything in between, they turned to mobile screens. While the news cycle monopolised missile updates and water cooler conversations stoked further trepidation, it was on social media, Facebook and Instagram pages, and Threads of the world that we witnessed, some with a shrug and others with resignation, a curtain fall. The fanfare of nationalist fervour is nothing new. We have seen it before — during surgical strikes, border standoffs, even high-stake cricket matches. But this time, it felt different. The air itself had a simmering quality to it. This time, it was the power corridors of Bollywood that stood in a staunch and ignoble salute. Fan favourite stars from the lauded Bollywood pantheon, like Akshay Kumar, whose recent filmography reads like a defence ministry-sponsored resume, wasted no time. His message was swift: unwavering support for the Indian response, patriotic hashtags, and a pixel-perfect picture of the tri-coloured flag. Quick on his heels was the ever-so-predictable Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood's resident Rottweiler of righteousness. Never known for subtlety, Ms Ranaut deemed it appropriate to post that Pakistan was a 'terrorist nation' and called for the 'cleansing' of traitors. 'These [insert PC term for insects known for their signature infestations and filth] should be nuked' she said. And in doing so India will actually be doing the entire world a huge favour. Even the usually discreet monoliths — Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgan, and Shahid Kapoor chimed in with near-identical messages support for the armed forces, for the government, for decisive action. A methodical barrage of copy-paste nationalism. Who would have thought that the modern face of digital diplomacy could be achieved in 280 characters or less? Citizens of a proud nation simply supporting their sovereign nation? That wasn't jarring really. Why would anyone assume otherwise? 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Of course, Ms Sinha was swiftly trolled, memed, accused of being 'anti-national,' and told to go to Pakistan (a favourite insult, it seems, for anyone who suggested peace in that time). But she reminded us of something crucial: bravery isn't always about standing tall. Sometimes, it can just be about not sitting down when everyone else has. While India's celebrity class was actively engaged in staging their synchronised salute, the world also had the pleasure (read titillation) of tuning into a very different performance, one that took place on Piers Morgan Uncensored. There, sat across from each other, were Barkha Dutt and Hina Rabbani Khar. One Indian. One Pakistani. One a journalist. One a former foreign minister. Both articulate, accomplished women; razor-sharp, and blessedly allergic to nonsense. Khar, with her characteristic calm and poise, spoke of nuance, context, and the inherent dangers of nationalist hysteria. Barkha, no stranger to war reporting, put on a grand show, pushing back at every notch she possibly could. For a brief moment outside the 'theatricality', the screens became a classroom. One where nobody yelled 'Jai ABC' or 'Death to XYZ', and everyone simply listened. What a contrast to Instagram's red carpets of conformity it truly was. For Pakistanis, Indian cinema has been primarily for entertainment, but additionally, it has also been a companion. A cultural mirror that everyone in the south Asian region can glom onto seeking valid representation and actually 'be seen' by the rest of the world. Bollywood to Pakistanis has been a secret rebellion against political bitterness. From DDLJ and Devdas posters adorning every other inner-city salon in major urban locales to Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and Diljit Dosanjh being played at almost every wedding function and celebration, Bollywood has always held an intimate and fortified place in our hearts. 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Even the once mighty and untouchable Khans, Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir, have faced the wrath of their fanatical home-grown audience, and have been left with no choice but to play it safe and stay 'mum'. Not long ago, SRK's son was jailed under suspicious circumstances with King Khan jolting from lawyers' chambers to police stations as an inconsequential and lowly civilian. Aamir was attacked for his wife's comments on rising intolerance and his movie 'Laal Singh Chadda' was massacred in the box office for his alleged (and somewhat imagined) anti-state rhetoric. Even Salman who has always kept his alliances clear has become a prisoner of the gallows, living in anguish under the ever-looming threat of the Bishnoi gang. We know, we understand and feel empathy for these stars. But not all was lost. Anurag Kashyap, never one to bow, tweeted cryptically about how 'conformity is not the same as unity.' Another personality, often chastised for her exceptionally 'woke' stances, Swara Bhasker shared an article on the need for empathy, adding: 'Peace isn't weakness. Hate isn't strength.' These voices were barely audible, drowned out by hashtags and hyperbole. But they mattered. Because resistance doesn't always come with fireworks. Sometimes, it just comes with a spine. This could have been a moment. A cinematic plot twist. Imagine if Shah Rukh had posted a throwback clip from Main Hoon Na. Or if Madhuri had tweeted 'Peace is patriotic.' If Priety Zinta had only quoted a line from her famous Veer Zaara song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera'. If Ranveer Singh had just... danced it out? But no. All we got brand-safe statements, media-managed mentions, and a whole lot of silence. What a story it could have been. What a script we missed. There was a time when Indian films imagined a better world. When screenwriters flirted with forbidden love across borders, when a song could soften suspicion, and when a poem could become protest. Today, those scripts are shelved, their authors quiet, their protagonists, for all intents and purposes, neutered by eagle-eyed publicists and spectres of political correctness. So here we are, popcorn in one hand, a tear stained handkerchief in the other, looking at the silver screen, waiting for someone, anyone, in this great theatre of the subcontinent, to play the role of the artist again. To remind us that before they were influencers, stars were simply storytellers. That their job was not just to reflect power, but to sometimes question it. And perhaps one day, they will. When it's safer. When the script changes. When bravery is back in vogue. Until then, we are left with silence. Polished. PR-approved. Politically correct. But silence nonetheless. Shahzad Abdullah is a PR and communications strategist, cultural curator and director of communications at Media Matters All facts are information are the sole responsibility of the
Express Tribune
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Bakhtawar Bhutto shares Eidul Azha family photos with sacrificial lambs
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