Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane: Pakistani talent debuting in Bollywood in 2016

India and Pakistan might not see eye to eye on most matters, but their film industries do believe in sharing their talents across borders. This year, two Pakistani leading ladies — Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane — make their debuts in Bollywood films. 

Mahira’s big ticket comes later this year, in Rahul Dholakia’s Raees opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Mawra, a VJ and actress, debuts next week in Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s Sanam Teri Kasam.

Vinay says he was very sure he wanted Mawra for his film. “Mawra had to play my leading lady Saraswati. While my co-director Radhika Rao and I have always worked with stars, Sanam Teri Kasam required fresh faces. So, we chose two actors who have already made a name for themselves in other parts of the world. Mawra is huge in Pakistan and her leading man, Harshvardhan Rane is a Telugu star. Both bring a virgin freshness to their characters in my film.”

Harshvardhan is also expected to star in an upcoming John Abraham production.

What’s in a name?
Incidentally, Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan Kapoor makes his debut later this year. Vinay Sapru sees no clash of interests there. He says, “We have the similar-sounding Ranbir and Ranveer co-existing in Bollywood.”