“I shared a very close bond with Mahesh Bhatt and his family during my time in India — I even stayed at their home. It makes me a little sad that my upcoming film, Psycho, won’t be released in India. Otherwise, the Bhatt family would have watched it and appreciated it.”

— Meera, actor

“I am half-Pakistani, and I think it’s a cool thing to represent that and educate people about it.”

— Zayn Malik, musician

“I was offered a lead role opposite Kartik Aaryan in Bollywood, but I turned it down. My father wouldn’t allow me to work in Indian films, and I also didn’t feel the need to. I have no desire to work in Bollywood.”

— Jannat Mirza, actor and content creator

“I am ready to work with Mahira Khan. Let’s make it happen.”

— Riz Khan, actor

Published in Dawn, ICON, May 3rd, 2026