Operation Sindoor: They Take Pride in Calling Themselves ‘Hindustani’ Today—Those Who Once Came From Pakistan After the Partition!

By Sharad Rai

Once again, on the India-Pakistan border, missiles are pointed toward each other. The Indian Army, determined to eliminate the terrorists sheltered in Pakistani terror camps, has carried out ‘Operation Sindoor.’ This mission is India’s response to the brutal attack committed by terrorists a few days ago at Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. This incident recalls the horror of Partition, when the vermilion from countless mothers' and sisters’ foreheads was wiped away, and a large number of people fled from Pakistan to settle in India.

Pakistan still hasn’t mended its ways, while those who came to India have today proudly established themselves as ‘Hindustanis.’ They have set powerful examples of success. Here, we would like to mention a few personalities from the film industry who migrated from Pakistan and became iconic figures in India:

Kapoor Family Roots: From Peshawar to Bollywood

The Kapoor family is considered the biggest dynasty in the Indian film industry. Its patriarch, Prithviraj Kapoor, was born in 1906 in Faisalabad (then in undivided India, now in Pakistan). His son, Raj Kapoor, was born in Peshawar in 1924. Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar was born in Peshawar in 1922. Jubilee star Rajendra Kumar was born in 1929 in Sialkot. Actor Manoj Kumar was born in Attock, the same place where America later killed terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Chopra Brothers’ Lahore Origins, Bollywood Legacy

Renowned filmmakers B.R. Chopra and his brother Yash Chopra—both recipients of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema—also came from Pakistan. All three Chopra brothers—B.R., Yash, and Dharam—were born in Lahore. Together, they began their journey in Hindi cinema and became legendary figures.

Roshan and Sahir Ludhianvi: Legends from Lahore

Famous music director Roshan (grandfather of Hrithik Roshan, father of Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan) was born in Gujranwala in 1917. Celebrated poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi was born in Lahore in 1943. Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for Bandit Queen, a film on the subject of rape, was also a refugee from Lahore.

Gulzar & Govind Nihalani: Icons from Dina & Beyond

Lyricist-filmmaker Gulzar was born in 1934 in Dina. He came to Mumbai and worked at a motor garage before entering the film industry—and today, he is India’s Oscar-winning lyricist. Acclaimed filmmaker Govind Nihalani, known for changing the cinematic landscape at one point, also came to India from Pakistan.

Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna & Prem Chopra: Bollywood Icons

Actor-filmmaker and politician Sunil Dutt (father of Sanjay Dutt) was born in Jhelum in 1929. His contribution to Indian cinema needs no elaboration. Vinod Khanna was born in Peshawar in 1946, and Prem Chopra in Lahore in 1935. Both came to India and made a name for themselves in Bollywood.

Ramanand Sagar’s Journey from Fighter Plane to Fame

An interesting story involves filmmaker and Ramayan fame director Ramanand Sagar, born as Chandramouli Chopra. Just days after India’s independence, when the first India-Pakistan war was breaking out, Sagar traveled to India aboard a fighter plane. At that time, Pakistani forces were closing in on Kashmir. Responding to Maharaja Hari Singh’s request, three fighter planes were sent from Delhi to Srinagar. This occurred at 2 AM on the night of August 28, 1947. One of these planes brought a few people from Pakistan to India—Ramanand Sagar among them. All of them came in search of new ground to stand on. Sagar went on to rule the Indian entertainment world like an emperor—it is well known.

In essence, India is a land that blossoms with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family). Here, everyone is given equal rights and opportunities. Those who came from the unholy soil of Pakistan are today proud to call themselves Indians and have made their mark here. Still, if any other country dares to trouble us, we have a range of options available—open operations and ready missiles.

A.P. Bajaj’s Mayapuri: Legacy of Film Journalism

Mr. A. P. Bajaj, the head of Mayapuri Magazine, also migrated to India from Lahore. He has given a Children's Magazine ‘Lotpot’ (Motlu-Patlu), and gave a new direction to Indian film journalism and has sustained Mayapuri as one of the most popular and credible film magazines for decades.

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