5 Pakistani-Indian couples we'd like to see on the big screen

Any filmmakers reading this, please cast these two as soon as possible.

KARACHI: It wasn't long ago that cross-border collaborations between artists were the norm. In Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Fawad Khan steals the spotlight from Ranbir Kapoor, and Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan deliver straight-up bangers for pivotal moments in Indian cinema.

While no one knows when that moment may come again, one can always hope, right? This train of thinking was prompted by a recent image of Fawad Khan and Deepika Padukone circulating on Twitter. As a result, here are five Pakistani-Indian couples we'd want to see on our screens:

Deepika Padukone-Fawad Khan:


Both Fawad and Deepika are versatile. The preceding can effortlessly transition from The Legend of Maula Jatt to Money Back Guarantee. To be honest, there isn't much he can't accomplish. Furthermore, he has an amazing body of work in Bollywood that serves as a testament to his acting abilities.

Combine this guy with the woman who has done it all - drama, historical period dramas, comedy, and action - and you have a potentially enthralling hit on your hands. Furthermore, they are both extraordinarily beautiful and have an intrinsic charisma that makes them likeable in a stupid but lovely way. This coupling would have been unavoidable if Fawad had remained in Bollywood. Give them what they want.

Saba Qamar - Shah Rukh Khan:


 Saba is an unstoppable force. Her work is always captivating, and she excels in every role - even when the writing is inadequate. In addition, she was introduced to Bollywood alongside the late Irrfan Khan, the renowned grandmaster of acting. She not only held her own, but shined in Hindi Medium. Her resume is nothing short of amazing back home.

But why Shah Rukh? Saba supplementing his performance may be just what he needs right now. While King Khan has shined in most parts throughout the years, they have also been tailored to add to his King of Bollywood reputation. Whether it's the way they're shot, which makes him appear larger-than-life, or the material of the film, which sees the challenge. 

Movies in which he has been challenged by his female protagonist have produced amazing results. While the world mourns the loss of Shah Rukh as Don, it is important to remember that his character being challenged by Priyanka Chopra's Roma provided an entirely new dimension to the viewing experience. Saba would be an ideal candidate for this role, and combining the two might result in a variety of watchable genres. Romance? Thriller? Drama? They were capable of doing everything. And they have to.

Iqra Aziz - Ranveer Singh .


 Let's not kid ourselves: this script will write itself. Iqra is an actress who has repeatedly demonstrated her worth. She flourishes when she is permitted to be loud and wild in the presence of a fun adversary. Iqra's portfolio is loaded with work that is a true tribute to her acting talent, thanks to the global experience of being a Netflix star.

Let me now introduce Ranveer as the lovable loafer, the gullible idiot. He's played this role to perfection time and again, and he's the same character, overloaded, in the hugely successful Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. This isn't to imply Ranveer isn't versatile. No, he can and has done it everything. But it's not his or Iqra's chameleon-like abilities that we're interested in with this partnership. We want them to be their most ferocious, explosive selves for a story that is interesting, amusing, and a joy to see.  

 Mahira Khan - Ranbir Kapoor.



No one is being cruel here, okay? It simply makes sense. While we've never seen the two together on-screen, we do know that the sheer sight of them together could set the internet on fire. Many people have hypothesized for a long time that these two would have a strong chemistry that should be investigated. Mahira is an all-around celebrity and entertainer. She is the Zaalima to whom SRK is singing, and she will be remembered for that. She's well-liked on both sides of the border, and she's simply stunning. Mahira, on the other hand, requires a challenge, and she must issue one to Ranbir.

 When it comes to Ranbir, we all know he's capable of becoming more than some of the characters he's previously played. Perhaps a small part of Ranbir believes he peaked with Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and wishes to repeat that success and resurrect the character's youthful vibe. However, Ranbir has always been more than Bunny. There's something fundamentally Bollywood about him that shines through, and he needs a new partner with tremendous chemistry to be put opposite him in an honest-to-God romance, sans the flaming powers and latent misogyny-laden pictures.

Bilal Abbas Khan - Tabu.


 Bilal has gone out of his way to demonstrate that talent and dedication to one's art can propel an actor to stardom. He's knocked it out of the park in a variety of roles, whether he's in love or out for vengeance. He's also worked with artists that are more senior to him and has excelled in such situations. Standing his ground against Saba in Cheekh, for example, was a huge task, but Bilal went above and beyond, making the show a mind-bogglingly riveting watch.

Tabu, on the other hand, requires no introduction. Tabu is pure cinematic gold. Nothing is beyond her ability, and nothing is beyond her willingness. She can work in any genre, she can elevate a mediocre script, and she can be partnered with almost anyone and make it work (or are we ignoring her with Ishaan Khattar in A Suitable Boy?) But what about these two powerhouses working together? That would change everything.

 To summarize, we must make this happen. That's all there is to it. It's a victory for cinema, a victory for Pakistan-India ties, and a victory for the public. Let's start by casting all of these pairs (and any other pairs you have in mind) in stories.