India and Pakistan were once part of the same country. Many citizens of Pakistan have family roots in India and vice versa. In fact, some of the biggest names in Bollywood have roots and families in Pakistan.
Here are ten Bollywood Legends who have ties with Pakistan.
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan’s mother, Teji Bachan was born in Faisalabad in 1914, formerly known as Lyallpur in British India. In Lahore, she taught Psychology at Khoob Chand Degree College. She moved to Allahabad with her husband before partition.
Rajesh Khana
Rajesh Khana’s family was from Lahore. His father Lala Hiranand worked as headmaster of the MC High School in Burewala, Vehari District, Punjab, Pakistan. He was born in Amritsar in 1942 and was adopted and raised by Chunni Lal Khanna and Leela Wati Khanna.
Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra was also born in Lahore to a Punjabi Hindu family on 26 September 1935. He graduated from Punjab University; his family migrated to Shimla after partition.
Dilip Kumar
Muhammad Yusuf Khan, known more commonly by his stage name Dilip Kumar, was born to a Hindko speaking Awan family in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1922. His family relocated to Bombay in the late 1930s.
Dev Anand
The well-known actor and director, Dev Anand, was born in 1923 in Shakargarh in Gurdaspur District, Punjab, Pakistan. He spent his early years in Gharota Village and graduated from Government College, Lahore.
The Kapoor Family
Prithviraj Kapoor was born in Lyllapur, Punjab in British India in 1906. He later moved to Peshawar to complete his education at Edward’s College. His son Raj Kapoor, father of Rishi Kapoor was born there in 1926.
Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt’s father, Sunil Dutt, a veteran actor, was born in Khurd Village, Jhelum district, Punjab in 1930; and his maternal grandfather was from Rawalpindi, Punjab.
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan’s father, Meer Taj Mohammed Khan is from Peshawar. According to the actor, they used to speak Hindko at home. As of 2010, Shahrukh’s paternal family is still living in Peshawar.
Govinda
Govinda’s father, Arun Kumar Ahuja was born in Gujranwala, Punjab. His family migrated to Mumbai after partition where Govinda was born.
Hrithik Roshan
Both of Hrithik Roshan’s grandfathers were from Pakistan. His paternal grandfather, Roshan, was from Gujranwala, Punjab; and his maternal grandfather, J.Om.Prakash was from Sialkot,
Punjab.
This list makes our spines tingle. Seems Pakistan is the mother of great talent and Bollywood has much to be thankful for to her. You’re welcome India!
Regardless of country, these actors have long been on our list of favorites and it is true, art and talent surpasses all borders!
