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 what Indians are like through Bollywood and Star Plus. But Indians had not seen us.
It was this really beautiful exchange that happened (through Zindagi) where people's eyes were opened up, and Indian people really got an insight into their long-lost siblings,” she noted. Optimistic about future collaborations, Sanam remarked, “This is a big enough deal that Zee collaborates with us and that we have this cross-cultural exchange. The fact that we are on Indian OTT platforms is quite a huge feat in itself.
.. Baki, when actors from the other side of the border feel confident and safe enough to act with us, and things change, then that exchange will definitely happen.
” She concluded on a hopeful note, “Because it has happened before. We have had festivals where we have had Indian actors come to Pakistan and be a part of the festival. We have had our superstars go to India and act.
So, it's just a matter of time when art and culture can merge again.” For now, fans on both sides of the border can only dream of a day when art, unbound by political tensions, once again brings these "long-lost siblings" together..
