The All India Cine Workers’ Association imposed a ban on all Pakistani artistes working in Indian film industry following the brutal killing of 49 soldiers in a terror attack in Pulwama February 14, 2019. The bar shut the doors for popular Pakistani performers like Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Alikhan, Ali Zafar and Mahira Khan. But do you know some of the legends of Hindi film industry were born to ‘Pakistani’ parents?
Raj Kapoor
Ranbir Raj Kapoor, the Mera Naam Joker actor was born in Kapoor Haveli of Peshawar (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in 1924. The grandfather of current heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor received two national awards and nine Filmfare awards in his lifetime. His performance in Awara is ranked among the top 10 greatest performances in the history of cinema by Time magazine. He was also given a tribute by Pakistanis after a few days of his demise in 1988.
Dilip Kumar
Known as the Tragedy King of Hindi cinema Dilip Kumar was born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar in 1922. Debuted in Jwar Bhata (1944), The First Khan is regarded as one of the greatest actors of world cinema. He was conferred with Padma Bhusan, the third highest civilian award in India whereas Pakistan honoured him with its highest civilian award Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
Dev Anand
A rapid-fire style of dialogue delivery and a penchant for nodding head while speaking was the style of Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand alias Dev Anand. He was born in Shakargarh of Punjab in 1923. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner got the tag of ‘evergreen hero’ as he continued to do the lead characters from Ziddi (1948) till Lashkar (1989). Often compared to famous Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, Dev also acted in an English film The Evil Within, a 20th Century Fox production, against Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh in 1970. Dev Anand died in London in 2011.
Sunil Dutt
Born as Balraj Dutt in Punjab province of present-day Pakistan in 1929, actor Sunil Dutt shot to stardom after the release of Mother India in 1957. He played the character of actress Nargis’s angry son in the movie. It is believed that Dutt saved Nargis during a fire mishap that took place during the filming and won her love as well. While his son is a successful actor in Hindi cinema, Dutt died in 2005 when he was a minister in Manmohan Singh cabinet.
Gulzar
Sampooran Singh Kalra was born in 1934 in Jhelum district of Pakistan. But he picked pen name Gulzar as his father was against his writing practice. The legendary writer, lyricist and poet has been conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, won several National Awards, more than 20 Filmfare awards, one Akademy and one Grammy award . He got married to actress Rakhee in 1973 and their daughter Meghna is a well known film director.
Amrish Puri
Famous as Mogambo of Mr India, Amrish Puri was born in Lahore in 1932. Though he worked as a henchman of main villain at the beginning, Amrish made his presence felt as the main villain against Mithun Chakraborty in Surinder Kapoor’s Hum Paanch. After that there was no looking back. He did some of his memorable roles in Meri Jung, DDLJ, Gardish, Virasat, Ghayal, Damini and Tridev. He died in 2005.
Sadhana
Born in Karachi of Sindh province in 1941 Sadhana Shivdasani appeared in many successful films of 1960s and 1970s that included Hum Dono, Woh Kaun Thi, Arzoo, Mera Saaya and Ek Phool Do Mali. She was married to RK Nayar in 1966 and the couple had no issues. Sadhna was the first cousin of actress Kareena Kapoor Khan’s mother Babita. She died in 2015.
PNN/Agencies