Independence Day 2023 Special: From Gulzar To Balraj Sahni, Celebs Born In Pakistan Who Created Unmatched Legacy

As Independence Day 2023 appoaches, here is a look at some celebrated personalities who hail from Pakistan who created unmatched legacy in Indian cinema.

Gulzar, Balraj Sahni( L-R)

Gulzar was born as Sampooran Singh Kalra in a Sikh family to Makhan Singh Kalran and Sujan Kaur in Jehlum District ( present day Pakistan) on August 18, 2023 Sampooran Singh Kalra read translations of Tagore as a kid. During the Partition in 1947, Gulzar's family split and some members mobved to Mumbai. Sampooran did many odd jobs like painting cars, working in a garage before taking up writing as a full-feldged profession. His father rebuked him for his choice of profession in the initial days. Sampooran took the pen name Gulzar by which everyone knows him day. Today, Gulzar is regarded as one of the greatest Urdu poets of this era.

Dilip Kumar born as Mohammad Yusuf Khan was born in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, British India on December 11, 1922. He was one of the 12 children and his father was a fruit merchant. He also grew up in the same neighbourhood as Raj Kapoor, his childhood friend and later colleague in the film industry. Yusuf Khan took up the stage name Dilip Kumar in 1944, from the fear of his father who never approved of his acting career thanks to the poor image of cinema back then. Dilip Kumar is widely considered as one the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is also considered to be a pioneer of method acting, predating Hollywood method actors such as Marlon Brando.

Balraj Sahni born as Yudhishthir Sahni was born on May 1, 1913 in Rawalpindi, British India. He was an English Literature graduate who went on to work with Gandhi and later with British writer George Orwell. Balraj Sahni is known for his association to Indian People's Theatre Association( ITPA). He is known for many acclaimed films like 'Do Bigha Zameen', 'Kabuliwala', 'Garam Hawa' among others. Balraj Sahni was the brother of Bhisham Sahni, a noted Hindi playwright and actor. Balraj Sahni himself was a gifted writer besides also being an extremely well-read and politically conscious person.

Prithviraj Kapoor born as Prithvnath Kapoor on November 3, 1906 in Samundri, present day Pakistan. Kapoor was the eldest of eight siblings in his family. Film producer Surinder Kapoor, father of actors and producers Anil, Boney and Sanjay Kapoor, was a cousin of Prithviraj Kapoor. Prithviraj Kapoor spent more of his childhood in Punjab's Lyallpur District( now Pakistan). Prithviraj Kapoor in silent films, did a supporting role in India's first talkie and also worked in theatre. He is known for founding his own theatre group Prithvi theatres which still runs today.

Interestingly, one of the popular plays done by the company was called Pathan(1947) which was performed on stage nearly 600 times in Mumbai. The play revolves around the story of a Muslim and his Hindu friend. Prithvi Theatre staged some 2662 performances and Prithviraj starred as the lead actor in every single show over a course of 16 years.

Shekhar Kulbhshan Kapur was born in Lahore on December 6, 1945. Shekhar Kapir was born in a Punjabi Hindu family. On a train to newly created Pakistan to India, Kapur's mother Sheel played dead and hid both himself and his sister under her body. Kapoor was discouraged by his father to get into films. Shekhar Kapur's uncle Dev Anand was already making strides in the film industry.

Shekhar Kapoor is also related to Chetan Anand, Vijay Anand and Purab Kohli. He is also a recipient of many accolades in India and abroad. He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award in addition to winning National Film Awards, BAFTA Award and more.

Yash Raj Chopra was born on September 27, 1932 in Lahore Pakistan to a Punjabi Hindi family. He was the youngest of the eight children, the oldest of whom was 30 years his senior. BR Chopra, another eminent filmmaker, was one of his brothers. Yash Raj Chopra was always passionate about filmmaking and moved to Mumbai to work as an AD to IS Johar.

Yash Chopra went on to become one of the most celebrated and venerated figures of Hindi cinema. He is known for his female based romantic films which gave significant agency to women. He is also the recipient of several accolades. ( All Pics Credit: IMDb)