From a Muslim hero Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar) singing Hindu devotional songs, written by renowned lyricists Shakeel Badayuni, and composed by music by Naushad Ali, to actors choosing life partners irrespective of their religious backgrounds to Shah Rukh Khan calling his son AbRam, Bollywood has invariably presented the true and honest picture of a secular society.
And our showbiz industry, where competence and creativity blurs discrimination on the basis of religion, caste and creed, continues to show enthusiasm in extending movie offers to Pakistani artists. So yes, the spurt in Pakistani imports in Bollywood explains that irrespective of the volatile Indo-Pak relationships, a harmonious Hindu-Muslim intermingling is possible via cinema.
Fawad Khan is the latest Pakistani actor to make his Bollywood debut with 'Khoobsurat', the remake version of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's cult classic. Even though Fawad has been drawing a lot of flak for his decision to act in Hindi films, the actor lives by the thought that art knows no culture and creed.
Fawad recently reacted to the reports suggesting that his fans from Pakistan have been rebuking him for hurting their sentiments by accepting a Bollywood offer, by saying, "The people who you are talking about are very few. There will be people who will criticise... they are entitled to their opinion. Art knows no culture and creed. As an actor I would like to explore myself. I do feel bad but I choose to ignore it. I think to pay attention to it is unnecessary."
While Fawad feels it is an honour to work for the Indian showbiz industry, another Pakistani actress Aamina Sheikh believes his feat will help other Pakistani actors get a foothold in Bollywood. Aamina, who is excited about the response her Pakistani show 'Maat' has received from Indian viewers, aspires to work opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan in Bollywood projects.
Joining the list of Pakistani imports is Humaima Malick. The 25-year-old actress, who calls herself as the highest paid actress in Pakistan, is expecting her fellow countrymen to support her efforts in Bollywood debut 'Raja Natwarlal'. Determined to make a mark in Bollywood, Humaima knows paying too much attention to the criticism will not allow her to pursue her professional goals. Since Humaima has been lauded for her role in 'Bol' and bagged the Best Actress at the London Asian Film Festival, she might also fare well in Bollywood. And with the thought that talent has no religion she is sure to carve a niche for herself in Bollywood and prove her detractors wrong.
Born and brought up in Islamabad, Imran Abbas Naqvi, might be an architect by training, but his passion for modeling and acting helped him bag roles in popular shows like 'Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan', 'Noor Bano' and 'Khuda Aur Muhabbat', and a much-awaited Bollywood debut opposite Bipasha Basu in sci-fi flick, 'Creature 3D'. The actor was initially approached for the second lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish and lead in Aashiqui 2 and offered Ram-Leela as his launch pad, he couldn't accept any offer as he was bound by contract with a production house in Pakistan. Agreed, Pakistani actors in the past might not have made it really big in Bollywood, but going by the enthusiasm of the new crop, they are ready to prove their mettle.
So at a time when attempts are being made to promote Indo-Pak peace and efforts invested to bolster our relations, it is important to make films, collaborate with artists across the border to show how the power of cinema can unite people. ####
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