In the not-so-distant past, before the 2016 Uri attack turned political borders into cultural barricades, Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan were carving out a niche for themselves in Bollywood. However, the subsequent ban on Pakistani artists working in India put a halt to this burgeoning exchange. Among the talented lot, Sanam Saeed, who won hearts in India with her role opposite Fawad Khan in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, remains a fan favorite, even though she hasn't had the chance to work in India—yet.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Sanam expressed her hope for a future where the cross-border talent exchange resumes. She's back in the spotlight with Barzakh, a new show on Zindagi, reuniting with Fawad Khan after 12 long years. It’s the Zindagi channel that has managed to sneak Pakistani shows into Indian living rooms, creating a virtual reunion of sorts.
Reflecting on her Indian fanbase, Sanam quipped, “They're like my long-lost siblings. We just grew up in different homes. Essentially, we are of the same land, same blood in many ways, but we just grew up differently over the years.
It was nice to reconnect with those long-lost siblings.” Her charming analogy strikes a chord, painting a picture of two estranged families rediscovering their shared heritage. The actor believes the experience has been eye-opening, particularly for Indian audiences.
“For Indians more so than us. Because we are accustomed to Indian cultures and we are used to seeing.