6 Pakistani Showbiz Stars Who Are Super Popular in India

Are our Pakistani superstars winning the cultural war next door?

While Pakistani artists are pretty famous with the Indians next-door, it seems that some have more prominent fan-bases than others and have gained global stardom. This isn’t as surprising as it seems at first, since classic Pakistani drama serials have been part of curriculum at performing arts academies across the border. More contemporary works like Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai have also put the spotlight on Pakistani artists.

Among these list of toppers are six of Pakistan’s finest who Indians can’t get enough of.

Image Source: Vogue India

Lets take a look at who the fabulous six are.

Sanam Saeed

Sanam Saeed for sure had to be part of this list as Zindagi Gulzar Hai has had numerous reruns in India. The film and theater graduate then when on to claim roles such as Bachaana (2016) that coincidentally features the story of an Indian woman stuck abroad who finds love as a Pakistani man helps her find her way home.

The actress then went on to star in Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se, the tale of suburban single moms. This year she got her slice of international praise with Cake (2018).

Image Source: Sanam Saeed Twitter

Ayesha Omar

Next in line is the khoobsurat Ayesha Omar from Bulbulaay. The actress, known for her quirky performance in Karachi Se Lahore (2015) proved that she can take on a range of roles with her performance in Yalghaar (2018).

The actress’s next venture will be Kaaf Kangana, to be directed by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar.

Fahad Mustafa

Although women have managed to dominate the list so far, Pakistani men are just as worthy. The people’s champion is also the most bankable star in Pakistan as put by Vogue India. This description refers to Fahad Mustafa. The actors performance in Main Abdul Qadir Hun overshadows his production efforts for the little screen.

The actor debuted on the big screen with Na Maloom Afraad (2014) and with just three films, which also include Actor in Law (2016) and Mah e Mir (2016), he became the top male lead in Pakistan. His wish to play an ‘Aam Admi’ also came true with Load Wedding (2018) this year.

Image Source: Fahad Mustafa Twitter

Mehwish Hayat

When we mention Fahad in Actor in Law, his leading co-star Mehwish Hayat is no slouch either. She’s undoubtedly a versatile actress in her own right, as we can gleam from her role in Actor in Law as the mouthy advocate, to the coy Meeru in Load Wedding (2018),

She is mostly known for her more progressive and feminist roles from her television roles in serials like Dil Lagi to the big screen with Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2015).

Image Source: Mehwish Hayat Twitter

Maya Ali

On the other side of the spectrum, we have Maya Ali, an actress who is known for her soft feminine roles. She’s also popular on both sides of the border.

Maya is known for roles in Aunn Zara and Mann Mayal, projecting the idea of strong introverts. The actress finally got her big screen debut with Teefa in Trouble (2018) opposite Ali Zafar.

Image Source: Maya Ali Twitter

Shehryar Munawer

Last but not least the second hero that manged to compete with all these leading ladies is Shehryar Munawer.

The actor gained fame from roles in Aasmanon Pay Likha and made his cinematic debut with Project Ghazi (2017) along side Syra Sheroz and then scored Sath Din Mohabbat In (2018) along side the sub-continent’s sweetheart Mahira Khan.

Syra Sheroz (left) and Shehryar Munawer (right)

via Vogue India