Pakistani celebs have won millions of hearts with their exceptional acting skills and charming personalities. Be it their exceptional work in dramas or films, these celebs have made a remarkable name for themselves in the industry. But over the years, many Pakistani celebs have collaborated with Bollywood for some amazing films.
Art knows no boundaries, and several established celebs from Pakistan like Imran Abbas, Humaima Malik, Sajal Aly, Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar, and Adnan Siddiqui have proved the same by working in Bollywood films. However, there are a few celebs, who have refused many offers to work in Indian films. Let us take a look at these Pakistani celebs, who rejected big Bollywood offers.
Also Read: 10 Popular Pakistani Celebrities Who Tied The Knot At A Young Age: From Fawad Khan To Urwa Hocane
Hamza Ali Abbasi is a popular name in the Pakistani film industry. He started his acting career in 2006 with plays. The handsome actor is known for his roles in shows like Pyarey Afzal and Mann Mayal. His breakthrough performance in the film, Waar in 2013, gained him much recognition. Hamza was offered a role in Akshay Kumar’s film, Baby, but since the film had anti-Pakistan content, Hamza refused the offer. The role later went to Meekal Zulfiqar.
Actress, Sanam Jung started her career as a VJ in 2008 and made her acting debut with the Pakistani drama, Dil-e-Muztar in 2013. She is quite popular for her roles in the Pakistani dramas, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Alvida, Main Na Janoo and a few others. When Sanam was offered a few Bollywood films, she refused them without even giving a second thought. When asked about the reason, the actress stated Pakistan’s Aurora magazine:
“When I said I would not do bold scenes, they replied they could ‘cheat’, but even if they cheat a scene, the audience will think I have done it.”
Armaghan Shahid, better known as Shaan Shahid is an established Pakistani actor. He started his career in 1990 and made his film debut in Bulandi. Shaan, who has been ruling the Pakistani film industry for two decades, made many hearts flutter with his appearance in Shafqat Amanat Ali’s video song, Mora Saiyaan. Shaan is one of the highest-paid actors in Pakistan and has acted in more than 500 films. The handsome Pakistani actor was offered a role in Aamir Khan starrer, Ghajini, which he rejected.
Recommended Read: Wasim Akram To Shoaib Malik: 5 Pakistani Cricketers Who Fell In Love With Indian Women
Daughter of the famous television actress of the 1980s, Rukhsar Hayat, Mehwish is one of the top Pakistani actresses currently. She was named the 8th sexiest Asian woman in the world by a popular British magazine in 2009. Some of her well-renowned works include Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Dillagi, Miss Marvel, and London Nahi Jaunga, among others. The Sitara-e-Imtiaz holder, Mehwish was offered Huma Qureshi’s role in Dedh Ishqiya and Aishwarya Rai’s role in Fanney Khan. However, the actress refused both offers.
A phenomenal host, producer and actor, Fahad Mustafa is another popular name in the Pakistani industry. Some of his notable roles in serials include Ye Zindagi Hai, Aashti, Mastana Mahi and many others. Over the years, Fahad has received many Bollywood offers, but the actor chose to work in his homeland.
He once tweeted about the same, when a fan asked him about working in Indian films. The actor’s reply could be read as:
“I was offered a movie but I made a choice had better offers here.”
One of the highest-paid actresses in the Pakistani industry, Fatima Effendi began her career as a child actress in 2001. Fatima gained popularity with the show, Kash Mai Teri Beti Na Hoti and appeared in many dramas like Man O-Salwa, Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan and many more. The stunning actress got an offer to portray a bold role in Bollywood from director, Anees Bazmee, who directed films like Singh is King, Ready, and No Entry. However, Fatima firmly said no and turned down the offer. Talking about the same in a media interaction, Fatima stated:
“Anees Bazmee Called Me And Praised My Drama Serial And Asked Me To Work In His Film. I Asked Him About The Story And The Character I’d Portray But Refused To Sign The Movie Because It Required Me To Play A Bold Character.”
Also Read: 22 Pakistani Actresses Who Can Give Tough Competition To B-Town Divas: Mahira Khan To Iqra Aziz
Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui is a Pakistani actor, director, and television host. He made his acting debut with the show, Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley. He was also seen in shows like Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay, Kahi Unkahi and Zindafi Gulzar Hai. The handsome actor once revealed that he got a film offer from Bollywood actor, Anil Kapoor, but he didn’t accept it, owing to his bold character.
Ayeza Khan rose to fame with her powerful performance in the TV serial, Mere Pass Tum Ho. Apart from this, she was seen in TV shows including Zard Mausam, Tum Jomilay, Pyare Afzal, Maaye Ni, Kaala Jadu, Aks, Shadi Mubarak, Mera Saaien 2, Mere Meher Baan, Bikhra Mera Naseeb, Teri Meri Love Story, Tum Kon Piya and many others. The gorgeous actress was offered a film by ace Indian director, Imtiaz Ali, but she refused the same because she wanted to work in Pakistani productions.
Recipient of more than 20 nationally recognized awards, Faysal Quraishi is one of the highest-paid Pakistani actors. He gained wide recognition for playing the role of ‘Boota’ in the Pakistani drama, Boota from Toba Tek Singh. He played a variety of roles in shows like Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Banishan, Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Rang Laaga, Muqaddar and many others. The actor got many Bollywood offers, and he rejected all of them. Citing the reason behind the same, Faysal stated:
“I’ve Had 2-3 Offers, But The Scripts Weren’t To My Liking. I Don’t Want To Disappoint My Fans By Doing That Doesn’t Live Up To Their Expectation.”
Veteran Pakistani actress, Shehnaz Sheikh had appeared in many Pakistani dramas. Shehnaz appeared in shows like Tanhaiyaan, Ankahi and many others. The actress left the industry in the 1990s and took her retirement. Shehnaz was offered the Bollywood film, Henna, by Raj Kapoor. However, she refused to work in the film, and the role went to Zeba Bakhtiar.
These popular artists rejected alluring offers from Bollywood and proved that their fanbase cannot be hampered by rejecting cross-border films. What do you think about these famous celebs? Let us know.
Recommended Read: 10 Highest Paid Pakistani Actresses And The Whopping Fee They Charge: From Mahira Khan To Hania Amir
