Though Pakistani actors are still barred from working in India, cross-border exchange in the field of film and cinema continue. Atif Aslam’s latest song featuring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra for their upcoming film Namastey England released Tuesday, showing that artists continue to mingle amongst themselves despite political tensions.
Pakistan’s biggest grosser, Jawani Phir Nai Ani 2 also featured a couple of Indian actors in the film, the most prominent being Kanwaljit Singh of Satte Pe Satta and Mere Brother ki Dulhan fame.
The actor essayed the role of Kubra Khan’s father, Nawab saab.
Sharing how he ended up doing the Nadeem Beyg starrer, Singh said, “The writer, Vasay Chaudhry, got in touch with filmmaker Ravi Rai, who makes TV shows in India, saying that he wanted an Indian actor to play the heroine’s father, Nawab saab, since the character is Indian. The character was interesting because he hates Pakistanis but has a change of heart towards the end.”
Though the film is a Pakistani one and starres some of the biggest names in the industry including Humayun Saeed, Fahad Mustafa, Ahmed Ali Butt, Mawra Hocane and Sarwat Gillani, it was shot mostly in Dubai and Turkey. Singh filmed in Dubai for 20 days.
“The team treated me wonderfully,” the actor shared, adding that he sees nothing wrong with cultural exchange between the two countries.
“I’ve previously acted in an Indo-Pak collaboration, Virsa, as well which was made in Punjabi in 2010. Arya Babbar played the lead. Such interactions are important. You don’t need a visa to go there. We should end meaningless fights between both countries. Of course, I don’t want anyone entering my country and engaging in nefarious activities, but cultural exchange is important. It has been happening for years,” he remarked.
Apart from Singh, Kunika Sadanand known for her roles in Hum Saath Saath Hain and Andaaz, and Shehzad Khan from Andaz Apna Apna were also a part of the film.