Pakistani Actresses Who Played Lead In Bollywood Movies
Posted On: 22 Aug 2022 | Last Updated : 19 Oct 2022 | Views : 22.9k
The Bollywood industry has always welcomed the people of foreign nations. Many times, we see the actors with Indian origin born on foreign land becoming the top stars of Bollywood. No matter what, B-Town has always supported the talent without any discrimination, and that’s the reason why we see many budding celebrities from our neighboring country Pakistan trying their luck in Bollywood. Soon after the partition, we have seen many Pakistani stars in Bollywood movies, often playing the leads in Hindi films. Many of them succeeded to become the top actors of Bollywood and went on to appear in a number of movies, while others disappeared after acting in one or two biggies. Even though India and Pakistan share a love-hate relationship, there have been some celebrities from Pakistan like - Adnan Sami, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar, Mahira Khan, etc., who managed to etch their names in the hearts of the cine lovers. Thus, today we’re going to talk about the top Pakistani actresses in Bollywood movies. For more such Bollywood-related updates, articles, topics, and trivia on movies and celebrities, stay tuned.
1. Mahira Khan
Born in Karachi, Mahira Khan started her career as a VJ in 2006. She made her big screen debut in 2011 with the Pakistani film Bol, alongside Atif Aslam. She gained immense popularity for her role in the Pakistani television series Humsafar, alongside Fawad Khan. After acting in a number of Pakistani films like Bin Roye (2015), Ho Mann Jahaan (2015), etc., she made her Bollywood debut with the 2017 crime action drama Raees, alongside superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Despite the success of the movie, the actress had not appeared in other movies, as after the 2016 Uri attack, the tension was created between the two nations, and all Pakistani actors, technicians, etc. working in India were banned and sent back to Pakistan. She continued her acting career in Pakistan, and appeared in 2019’s highest grosser of Pakistan, Superstar, alongside Bilal Ashraf.
2. Salma Agha
Salma Agha is a Pakistani-born actress and singer who was raised in Britain. Her grandmother, Anwari Bai Begum was one of the earliest actresses of Indian cinema, who also starred in the 1932 romantic drama Heer Ranjha. Brought up in London, she was offered a number of films from Indian directors. She made her Bollywood debut with B. R. Chopra’s 1982 film Nikaah, alongside Raj Babbar. She also sang a few songs for the film, and won Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She has also acted in movies like Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984), Salma (1985), Paanch Fauladi (1988), Kanwarlal (1988), Pati Patni Aur Tawaif (1990), and many more.
3. Meera
The Pakistani film actress and television presenter, Meera has appeared in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi movies. She started her career as an actress in 1995 and became a critically acclaimed actress soon after. She acted in several Pakistani movies like Kanta (1995), Chief Sahib (1996), Fareb (1997), Guns And Roses (1999), Inteha (1999), Billi (2000), and many more. She made her Bollywood debut with the 2005 film Nazar. Later she appeared in other Hindi films like Kasak (2005), Paanch Ghantey Mein Paanch Crore (2012), Bhadaas (2013), etc.
4. Sara Loren
Known for her works in Hindi and Urdu film, the Pakistani-born actress Sara Hussain, better known as Sara Loren, was born in Kuwait, but as a teenager she moved to Lahore, Pakistan with her family. She started her acting career with the Pakistani television show Rabia Zinda Rahegi (2003), and later made her big screen debut with the Urdu film Mahnoor (2004). Sara made her Bollywood debut with Pooja Bhatt’s 2010 film Kajraare, alongside Himesh Reshammiya. She has also acted in movies like Murder 3 (2013), Barkhaa (2015), Ishq Click (2016), Fraud Saiyyan (2019), etc.
5. Veena Malik
Born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan as Zahida Malik, better known as Veena Malik, is an actress and model. She made her acting debut with Askari’s 2000 film Tere Pyar Mein, which became a box office hit. Later, she hosted a Pakistani television show. She gained fame in India after participating in the Indian reality show Bigg Boss in 2010. She started her career in Bollywood as an item song dancer in movies like Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai (2012) and Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya (2012). She made her acting debut in Bollywood with the 2012 comedy drama Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai. She has also acted in movies like Zindagi 50-50 (2013), Super Model (2013), Mumbai 125 KM 3D (2014), etc.
6. Mawra Hocane
Born in Pakistani, Mawra Hussain, better known as Mawra Hocane is an actress and model, who has worked in Urdu and Hindi language movies and television shows. She started her acting career with the 2011 television show Khichari Salsa, which was followed by her other television shows. In Bollywood, she made her acting debut with the 2016 romantic tragedy drama Sanam Teri Kasam, alongside Harshvardhan Rane. The movie was said to be the modern rendition of The Love Story by Eric Segal.
7. Humaima Malick
The Pakistani-born actress and model, Humaima Malick has appeared in Pakistani and Indian films and television serials. At the young age of fourteen, Humaima started her career as a model through Unilever Pakistan campaign. She has walked the ramp for many designers. Humaima made her acting debut with the Pakistani TV serial Ishq Junoon Deewangi (2009), which was followed by her other TV shows. She made her film debut with Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol (2011). In 2014, she made her Bollywood debut with Kunal Deshmukh’s Raja Natwarlal, alongside Emraan Hashmi.
8. Saba Qamar
One of the highest-paid celebrities of Pakistan, Saba Qamar is an actress and television presenter known for her portrayal of traditional women on Urdu television. Recipient of several accolades, including Tamgha-e-Pakistan, Saba Qamar started her acting career with television series Mein Aurat Hoon in 2005. She made her debut on the big screen with the Pakistani movie Manto (2015). In Bollywood, she made her debut with the 2017 comedy drama Hindi Medium, alongside Irrfan Khan. She has appeared in several short and television films since then.
9. Meesha Shafi
Born in Pakistan, actress Meesha Shafi was brought up in Canada and has Canadian citizenship. At the age of 17, Meesha started her modeling career, and soon after starred in several music videos. She made her acting debut with the 2006 Pakistani TV serial Muhabbat Khawab Ki Soorat. She made her film debut with Mira Nair’s 2012 Hollywood film The Reluctant Fundamentalist, alongside Kate Hudson and Riz Ahmed. In the following year, she made her screen debut in Bollywood with the 2013 sports biographical drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
10. Zeba Bakhtiar
Zeba Bakhtiar is a Pakistani film and television actress, and also a television director. Her father, Yahya Bakhtiar was a pre-independence Muslim League activist. She started her career as a television actress, and made her acting debut with the 1988 Pakistani TV serial Anarkali, and she was widely praised for her performance in it. Later, she made her Bollywood debut with the 1991 film Henna, alongside Rishi Kapoor. She became a household name with the success of the movie, and went on to act in more Bollywood movies like Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (1994), Stuntman (1994), Jai Vikraanta (1995), etc. She was married to Indian actor Javed Jaffrey, but the marriage only lasted a year. Later, she married Bollywood singer and music composer Adnan Sami in 1993, but the two got divorced in 1997.
11. Sajal Aly
Sajal Aly is a Pakistani actress who has recently gained immense popularity after playing a variety of characters in a range of serials. She started her acting career with a small role in the 2009 TV drama Nadaaniyaan. Later, she had a breakthrough in her career with the 2011 family soap opera Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain. She made her film debut with the 2016 Pakistani film Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay. In Bollywood, her first movie was the Sridevi-starrer Mom, in which she played Sridevi’s daughter.
12. Momal Sheikh
Pakistani-born actress and producer, Momal Sheikh is best known for her works in the Pakistani soap operas Yeh Zindagi Hai (2008) and Mirat Ul Uroos (2013). She gained popularity as a Pakistani television actress, and went on to act in a number of television series before making her Bollywood film debut in 2016 with Mudassar Aziz’s comedy drama Happy Bhag Jayegi.
13. Somy Ali
Somy Ali is a Pakistani-American actress, writer, model and filmmaker, who has predominantly worked in Bollywood. She is often in news for her philanthropies, and she also runs an NGO. She made her screen debut with the 1994 film Anth, alongside Sunil Shetty. She has also acted in movies like Yaar Gaddar (1994), Aao Pyar Karen (1994), Andolan (1995), Mafia (1996) and many more.
14. Anita Ayoob
The former Pakistani actress and model, Anita Ayoob has worked in several Bollywood films and Pakistani films and television serials. She started her acting career with the 1987 Pakistani TV serial Gardish, and went on to act in several other TV soap operas. She made her screen debut in Bollywood with Dev Anand’s 1993 action-drama Pyar Ka Taraana. She has also acted in movies like Gangster (1994), Sub Ke Baap (1994), etc.
15. Sonya Jehan
Born in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, Sonya Rizvi, better known as Sonya Jehan, is a Pakistani film actress, who has worked in Urdu as well as Bollywood films. Granddaughter of the legendary singer Noor Jehan, Sonya Jehan started her acting career with the 2005 romantic drama Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, in which she played the lead alongside Kabir Bedi. She has also acted in movies like Khoya Khoya Chand (2007), My Name is Khan (2010), The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2013), etc. She went on to continue her acting career in Pakistani films.
16. Sana Fakhar
Often credited as Sana, the Pakistani film actress and model, Sana Fakhar started her acting career with the 1997 Pakistani film Sangam. She went on to appear in several other Lollywood films after her debut in the industry. Later, she was introduced to Bollywood with Amitoj Mann’s 2007 film Kaafila, starring Sunny Deol. Even though Sana had a successful career in Lollywood, she hasn’t appeared in any Bollywood movie other than her first movie.
17. Sadia Khan
The Pakistani actress Sadia Khan is known for playing a variety of roles in a number of Pakistani television serials. She started her acting career with the Pakistani soap opera, Yariyan (2010). She went on to act in many other soap operas before she got her big break on the silver screen in the 2015 Bollywood romantic drama Dunno Y2… Life Is a Moment. Later she also acted in the 2016 Lollywood film Abdullah: The Final Fitness.
18. Zara Sheikh
Born and brought up in Lahore city, Zara Sheikh is a Pakistani actress and model, who has acted in a wide range of movies. At a very young age, she established her modeling career before stepping into movies. She made her screen debut in cinema with the 2000 Lollywood film Tere Pyar Mein. She went on to act in several Pakistani movies before she got her first break in the Bollywood industry in Avtar Bhogal’s social drama Honour Killing (2014).
