Celebrated Pakistani actress Madiha Shah has revealed that she once refused to star alongside Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar in the iconic 1994 film Mohra, choosing instead to continue working in her homeland.
During her recent appearance on a talk show, Madiha Shah shared that she was approached for a leading role in Mohra, a film best known for its chart-topping song “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast.”
She said, “I was offered to work with Akshay Kumar in Mohra, but I didn’t accept the offer because I wanted to give priority to my own country.”
The actress emphasised her deep connection to Pakistan’s entertainment industry, saying that she always felt a sense of responsibility to represent her nation’s talent rather than seeking fame abroad.
Madiha Shah also recalled moments when her performances deeply moved veteran artists. She mentioned that Afzaal Ahmed was often brought to tears by her acting.
She further revealed that Anil Kapoor’s father and Shabana Azmi had watched her stage play “Janam Janam Ki Maili Chadar” and even Indian poet Gulzar had expressed his wish to see it.
According to her, “Shabana Azmi became emotional after watching my performance and said there is theater in India too, but this play stands as an example of its own.”