I would love to work in Bollywood films: Mahira Khan

Pakistani dramas being aired on Indian television, such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai and more recently Humsafar have developed a stellar fan base across the border for our celebrities. With her co-star Fawad Afzal Khan having jumped onto the Bollywood bandwagon with his movie Khoobsurat, fans are wondering when they'll be seeing Mahira Khan in B-town.

Mahira, who can currently be seen in Hum TV's Sadqay Tumharay opposite Adnan Malik, recently went to Mumbai to meet doting fans after Humsafar's finale aired on Zee Zindagi on November 8.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the Bol leading lady shared the overwhelming response she got from fans in India: "It was amazing. I recently joined Twitter and have experienced craziness since. Yesterday, I was at a mall and people kept coming up to meet me. It has been quite humbling."

The starlet's Twitter account chronicled her time in India thus far and expressed her gratitude for the love:

The actress stunned in a Sania Maskatiya ensemble in Lucknow.

Talking about what she thinks of Bollywood films and her personal favourites, Mahira states: "They are far more advanced, while our film industry is still re-emerging right now. I loved the black-and-white movies of the 1950s and 1960s, including films like Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa and Dilip Kumar’s Tarana. Shahrukh Khan’s movies are my favourite. As a teenager, I watched Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge during breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was obsessed with it."

So when will she make her silver screen debut in B-town?

"I would love to, though right now, I am not working on any Hindi film. There were some rumours about a film with Ranveer Singh, but they were untrue," revealed the 29-year-old former video jockey.

The soft-spoken performer did confess to Telly Chakkar as well as at the press conference in Mumbai that there is a certain wish list of people she'd like to work with.

"Among the younger lot, I would say Ranbir Kapoor. He is a brilliant actor and of course, my all time favourite, Shahrukh Khan. From directors, I would have to say Imtiaz Ali and Vishal Bhardwaj," said Mahira.

Although her performance in a Pakistani drama is being praised by the Indian audience, the actor admits she is not so well-versed when it comes to Indian television dramas: "In school, I saw Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT), but I haven’t seen any other shows. Kudos to the actors who were part of that show, as it [KSBKBT] went on forever. I freak out even when I get a drama with 29 episodes; I feel the story gets too long."

Mahira, who is a dedicated wife and mother insists that her marital status does not affect the kind of work that comes her way, explaining that's not how it is in Pakistan.

"You tend to take up lesser work as you give more time to your personal life once you have a family," she shares. "I’m lucky to be offered good work, and I maintain a balance between my work and personal life. Our industry has a family-friendly environment. Cinema is still considered an art in Pakistan and not a business."

With Humsafar securing a place for Mahira in the hearts of its Indian following, we're sure that we will be seeing this female A-lister in Bollytown sooner rather than later! (Dawn)