The difficult history of India and Pakistan has given rise to interesting stories of individuals who bridged the gap between the two countries. Many Pakistani artists have lived and worked in India for decades, leaving a deep mark on the lives of millions of Indians. Many Pakistani artists have enthralled the Indian public, be they actors, lyricists or singers, and we still want more art from them.
From completely successful artists to excellent actors, their stories offer a different perspective on the relationship between these two neighboring countries. So, let’s begin this epic journey!
1. Nasir Khan
Dilip Kumar’s father’s elder brother Nasir Khan was also famous for his unique acting. Despite being born in Peshawar, Nasir lived in Lahore, while his elder brother Dilip Kumar moved to Mumbai. In 1948, Nasir acted in the first Pakistani film ‘Teri Yaad’. In 1949, she also acted in the film ‘Shahida’.
After the failure of those two films, Nasir returned to India and worked in films there, such as ‘Nagina’, ‘Agosh’ and ‘Ganga Jamuna’. He also worked as a guest actor in films like ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ and ‘Bairag’. Despite appearing several times in Indian films, Nasir never became as famous as his elder brother Dilip Kumar. Suraiya Nazir was Nasir’s first wife, and he later married actress Begum Para. His son Ayub Khan also went into show business. Nasir left this world suddenly in 1974 at the age of only 50.
2. Begum Para
Begum Para, formerly known as Zubaida ul Haq, lived in Mumbai even after the partition of India. After this he worked in many films, such as ‘Sohni Mahiwal’, ‘Neel Kamal’, ‘Mehndi’, ‘Meherbani’. Begum Para also did some daring photoshoots in the 1950s and was widely regarded as the “item girl” of Bollywood. Begum Para’s last film and lead role was in 2007’s ‘Saawariya’, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
With her husband, actor Nasir Khan, Begum Para had three children: Lubna, Nadir and Ayub. Begum Para fled to Pakistan in 1975 after Nasir’s death, but returned to India three years later. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 82.
3. Jogendra Nath Mandal
Jogendra Mandal, one of the “founders” of Pakistan, was the country’s first Law and Labor Minister after independence in 1947. He dedicated his life to helping people from the lowest castes of the Hindu caste system.
After the death of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jogendra Mandal resigned from his cabinet and returned to India. On his return, he helped those Hindus who had left Pakistan. Jogendra Nath Mandal lived a modest life in India, and died in 1968.
4. Quratulain Haider
Qurratulain Haider was a prominent novelist, short story writer and journalist who contributed significantly to the development of Urdu literature. Qurratulain’s parents were also famous Urdu writers, and she was born there. Qurratulain Haider and his family started living in Pakistan after the partition of 1947. He contributed to the Government of Pakistan by working on the post of Writer’s Association.
His famous work, ‘Aag Ka Dariya’, was published for the first time in Pakistan in 1959. The success of this book inspired Kurratulain to return to India, where he combined his writing skills with journalism. He also received the Padma Bhushan award for his contributions to Urdu literature. This famous writer left this world in 2007 at the age of 82.
5. Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi was the pen name of poet and lyricist Abdul Hayya. Sahir Ludhianvi was an important personality who contributed significantly to the development of Hindi film. Sahir, an Indian-born Punjabi best known as a novelist, was born in Ludhiana. After graduating from university in 1943, Sahir went to Lahore and worked as the editor of several Urdu magazines and published his first book, ‘Talkhiyan’.
Sahir left Pakistan after partition and resided in Bombay. The work of Pakistan’s famous poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz inspired Sahir. Sahir rose to fame as the writer of hit songs like ‘Abhi Na Jao Bachde’, ‘Aye Meri Zohra Zabeen’, ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon’, ‘Kabhi Kabhie’, and ‘Mann Ki Baat’. A special postage stamp was designed and issued to commemorate his 92nd birthday. Sahir left this world alone and without children at the age of 99.
6. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Kasur, the birthplace of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, became part of India and Pakistan. The elder Ghulam Ali arrived in Pakistan during Partition, but ultimately decided to come to India in 1957, where he obtained citizenship.
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan received the Padma Bhushan award in 1962 for his work, which was widely published in India. Veteran musician Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan recorded only eight songs, including two for his last great film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’. It is said that he was paid Rs 3,500 for each song. He died in 1968 in Hyderabad.
7. Faisal Qureshi
In the 1990s, Pakistani golfer Faisal Qureshi married Indian golfer Nonita Lal. After their marriage, they lived in Sri Lanka for some time after their honeymoon. Nonita Lal is a professional trainer in Delhi, where she and her husband have lived for many years.
Nonita founded the National Golf Academy in India, making it the first such institution in the country. She also holds the position of Vice President of the Indian Women’s PGA. Faisal Qureshi, Nonita, and their sons are settled in India.
8. Adnan Sami
Adnan Sami grew up in the city itself. His mother was from Jammu, India, but his father was a high-ranking official of the Government of Pakistan. Adnan has been interested in music since childhood, and started playing the piano at the age of five. Due to his interest in music, Adnan went to Pakistan and started a music program on a local channel.
Adnan launched his first album in 1991, although it was not commercially successful. Later, she worked with Zeba Bakhtiar in a film ‘Sargam’. The film ‘Mausam’ also included songs composed by Adnan, such as ‘Kabhi To Nazar Milao’ and ‘Mujh Ko Bhi To Lift Kara De’.
Summary
The stories of these 8 Pakistani celebrities reflect the state of cultural harmony shared between India and Pakistan. Shows how art, talent, and human stories can come together beyond borders and politics.