Why Salma Agha Chose India Over Pakistan?

News Desk

Mumbai: Renowned actress and singer Salma Agha has shed light on a question surrounding her decision to settle in India, revealing that she has never held Pakistani citizenship despite her long association with the country’s entertainment industry.

Speaking during a podcast, Salma Agha was asked why she chose to live in India rather than Pakistan. She explained that her family had moved to the United Kingdom and held British passports, while her mother and grandmother were originally from Amritsar in India.

“I have never been a Pakistani citizen,” she said, adding that her connection with Pakistan was primarily through her professional career.

Agha said she worked in Pakistan during an important period of her life and developed lasting friendships with artists, technicians and others in the country’s entertainment industry.

She also praised Pakistani television dramas, noting that they are popular among audiences in India as well. For the actress, artistic expression should not be restricted by national borders.

The actress further clarified that she does not hold Indian citizenship either. She said she possesses an Indian identity card and a British passport that allows her to reside in India.

Agha rose to prominence in the Pakistani film industry during the 1980s and early 1990s as both an actress and singer. Her lead acting debut came with the film Nikah, establishing her as a prominent figure in the region’s entertainment scene.

Her family has also remained connected to the Indian entertainment industry. Her daughter, Zara Khan, is an actress and singer working in India.

Agha currently divides her time between India and Dubai, while her latest comments have renewed interest in the unusual cross-border journey of an artist whose career has been closely linked with both Pakistani and Indian popular culture.