Over the past few decades, Pakistani actors have captured the hearts of audiences beyond their borders with their captivating performances in soulful Pakistani music and daily soap dramas. While actors like Atif Aslam, Shae Gill, and Fawad Khan have garnered immense popularity and a dedicated fan following in India, there are some prominent names in the Pakistan entertainment industry who have declined offers from Bollywood. Let’s take a look at these notable actors:
Hamza Ali Abbasi
Hamza Ali Abbasi is a prominent figure in the Pakistan film industry, having delivered successful movies like “The Legend of Maula Jatt” and starred in popular TV shows like “Pyarey Afzal” and “Mann Mayal.” Despite being offered roles in Bollywood films, he turned down opportunities to work in Akshay Kumar’s “Baby” and Sajid Nadiadwala’s “Judwaa 2.” His decision was influenced by the negative portrayal of Pakistan in “Baby” and the strained India-Pakistan relations at the time.
Sanam Jung
After gaining fame as a VJ, Sanam Jung made her acting debut in the Pakistani drama “Dil-e-Muztar” and continued to rise in popularity with roles in “Mere Humdum Mere Dost” and “Alvida, Main Na Janoo.” Although she received offers from Bollywood directors, she rejected them outright due to her reluctance to perform bold scenes in movies.
Shaan Shahid
A seasoned actor with over 300 films to his credit, Shaan Shahid declined an offer to appear in Aamir Khan’s “Ghajini.” He cited the sensitive political situation between India and Pakistan as a reason not to take on a villainous role that could attract unnecessary attention and controversy.
Mehwish Hayat
Mehwish Hayat, a well-established Pakistani actor known for her roles in various successful movies and TV shows, received offers to play roles in Bollywood films, including Huma Qureshi’s part in “Dedh Ishqiya” and Aishwarya Rai’s role in “Fanney Khan.” However, she turned down both opportunities, stating that the stories and characters didn’t resonate with her.
Fahad Mustafa
A multi-talented personality, Fahad Mustafa is celebrated as a host, producer, and actor in Pakistan. Despite receiving an offer from Bollywood, he chose to prioritize his work in Pakistan, turning down the opportunity to work in India.
Fatima Effendi
Having earned accolades for her performances in Pakistani dramas, Fatima Effendi caught the attention of Bollywood director Anees Bazmee. However, she declined the offer as the role required her to portray a bold character, which she wasn’t comfortable with.
Sheheryar Munawar
Television host and actor, Sheheryar Munawar, had the opportunity to work in a Bollywood film offered by Anil Kapoor. He respectfully declined the role, feeling that he wouldn’t do justice to it at that point in his career.
Ayeza Khan
Known for her brilliant performances in numerous Pakistani dramas, Ayeza Khan had an offer from renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali for a Bollywood film. Nevertheless, she turned down the opportunity, aspiring to debut in a Pakistani movie before exploring opportunities in India.
Faysal Quraishi
Faysal Quraishi, a highly skilled and well-paid actor in Pakistan, declined multiple Bollywood offers, as the scripts didn’t align with his artistic preferences, wanting to maintain the quality of content for his loyal fans.
