Na Maloom Afraad's Kubra Khan to make Bollywood debut with 'Welcome to Karachi'
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Pakistani model and actor Kubra Khan (also known as Rabia Khan), who played the bank manager in the recently released Pakistani hit film, Na Maloom Afraad, is now all set to make her Bollywood debut with film Welcome to Karachi.
"I am playing the lead girl in this project working alongside the amazing Arshad Warsi and Jackky Bhagnani," Kubra told Dawn in an email interview.
Kubra further shared that she was independently approached by the casting director, who had seen some of her previous works.
"I had to go through the traditional auditions and the team happened to like my work so here I am," said Kubra.
Kubra also shared a picture of herself with her co-stars while working on the set of Welcome to Karachi:
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According to Times of India, Irrfan Khan was initially approached to play the lead male role, but he refused when he found out that Kubra Khan was playing the lead female role. The actor apparently wanted Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri to be cast opposite him.
When asked to comment on Irrfan's decision, Kubra said: "I have a lot of respect for Irrfan Khan and he certainly has the right to his opinion. I don't think there is anything wrong in wanting to work with a colleague of his choice."
Speaking about the success of Na Maloom Afraad, Kubra shared that the film's success also changed things for her.
"In terms of work, things had changed shortly before the release of Na Maloom Afraad," said Kubra.
"However, after the success, receiving such warm response and acceptance from the audience it is extremely overwhelming. I am extremely grateful to Nabeel Qureshi (director) and Fizza Ali Meerza (producer) for making me a part of this amazing project."
Directed by Ashish R Mohan, Welcome to Karachi is a satire about two Indians who get stranded in Karachi without any proper travel documents.
The film is expected to release in 2015.
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On DawnNews
Comments (36) Closed
Nov 10, 2014 03:08pm
People use the local cinema as a springboard to bollywood. Loyalty to local cinema should be prerequisite for any actor in Lollywood.
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Nov 10, 2014 03:24pm
Sounds interesting, I wonder what side of Karachi the movie will reveal. Being a Karachiite, desperately waiting for the release of this movie. Fingers crossed...
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Nov 10, 2014 03:50pm
@Nausheen Mehmood you don't need to keep fingers crossed. It will be bad side and it is necessary otherwise film will fail.
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Nov 10, 2014 04:16pm
Beautiful lady
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Nov 10, 2014 04:54pm
But has any part of the shooting taken place in Karachi? If not then kya mazaa? Asli feel toh tab aayegi if these guys actually shoot the movie or at least good chunks of it in Karachi and adjoining areas. I was a little disappointed with Zero Dark Thirty being shot in India and not in Pakistan. Though being an Indian I was happy that they shot the movie in India- means more revenue and forex for India.
Hopefully the film makers apply and get the required permission from Karachi authorities to shoot the movie there. Aur agar shooting kartein samay woh sachh mein koi problem main phass jao toh bhai na maloom afraad :P
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Nov 10, 2014 05:06pm
@Nausheen Mehmood
Well what you see today in your city? whole world knows
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Nov 10, 2014 05:32pm
@Shooting It would have been the other "shooting" instead of movie shooting, had it been in Karachi :)
Just a thought. Despite everything, Karachi is Karachi, always happening and amazing.
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Nov 10, 2014 05:36pm
@sharabi What the world sees on news channels is not the entire Karachi. Sadly, the media shows only the negative side of it. Only the people who live there can understand what I mean. I agree that it's an unsafe place, but name one safe place in today's world?
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Nov 10, 2014 05:40pm
Did not expect from Irfan Khan, for rejecting just because of Kubra Khan. She is extremely beautiful.
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Nov 10, 2014 06:08pm
@sharabi What I see in my city is the story of every place. There is no safe place in today's world any more.
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Nov 10, 2014 07:27pm
I know it is entertainment - all in good fun. but how would one do justice to a film about a city you don't belong to, haven't lived in, can't really relate to ground realities there? (as in th producers and filmmakers. i am assuming they haven't of course). intriguing. Maybe if the plot line was about a couple of Pakistanis stranded in an Indian city. i dunno. Just my opinion of course.
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Nov 10, 2014 08:32pm
She will come back soon .........
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Nov 10, 2014 09:46pm
what these bollywood film maker want from pakistan,now they making film on our beautiful city,..how they gonna show karachi image??
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Nov 10, 2014 10:08pm
@Shooting - There is so much of REAL shooting in Karachi that you don't need FILM shooting there.
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Nov 10, 2014 10:12pm
She is beautiful...I welcome pakistani actresses...:)
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Nov 11, 2014 12:48am
Kubra khan is really a pretty girl and will go a long way in Bollywood.
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Nov 11, 2014 02:30am
First Brain drain ...now beauty drain...:)
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Nov 11, 2014 04:29am
@salman khan They just want your regional market. Next time you will hear another movie, Shoot out at Multan or Life in Lahore. Reject them if the movies turn out to be trashes as our Mumbai industry has became a money spinning machine and have thrown out their artistic sense and sensibilities.Mostly,they do not have any ethics and just care about earning money by playing with people's sentiments.
Kill Dill..is it a name ? They could not find a better name !
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Nov 11, 2014 06:39am
I think plot will be about the two facing hard time due to lack of their travel documents and then the girl from Karachi helping them. Obviously one in them will have to fell in love, that sort of line. Else, I don't think Karachi will be shown in a bad way, more of the focus will remain on travel issue due to not having documents.
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Nov 11, 2014 07:21am
Sounds interesting, looking forward to it. Bhagnani should seriously think of shooting the movie in Karachi. That would give an authentic feeling and would be another reason for Indians to look forward to it.
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Nov 11, 2014 08:48am
It's a travesty that Pak plays home matches in UAE and movies 'Welcome to Karachi' and 'Mohenjo-daro' will be filmed some where else.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:45am
Please don't come. There is enough people in India who need opportunity.Please be loyal to Pakistan.
Indian government should ban those Pakistani actor or actress visa till the time there is not peace on borders.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:36am
The shooting should take place in Karachi. Let India and the world see the brighter side of Karachi.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:47am
The film will probably defame Karachi even further, if this be the case then this actor should not take part in it nor should the authorities give permission for the film to be shot in Karachi.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:57am
If kubra works in bollywood, for sure I will watch her movies otherwise I can't stare at screen when priyanka chopra or dipika's ugly faces appear on it
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Nov 11, 2014 04:43pm
@Einstein Babarm, same face of Priyanka backed up with a sharp brain has won her a Miss World title.
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Nov 11, 2014 05:25pm
Welcome to Karachi is not being shot in Karachi...i wonder whats the story line.
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Nov 11, 2014 07:11pm
@Arisha G Indians know about karachi more than Pakistanis. Karachi has Pakistan tag for 67 years only.The 67 years of turmoil Karachi has faced is quite contrasting to its secular fabric it had 100s of years.
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Nov 12, 2014 12:20pm
@Einstein Babar Films are the subject of Art and tallent, just shining, skimpy faces won't last in longer run...
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Nov 12, 2014 02:02pm
@Nausheen Mehmood waw I am also waiting. Being an Indian I know nothing about Pakistan. I came here at dawn to know about the country which I first heard seeing BORDER.
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Nov 12, 2014 06:16pm
@salman khan ...Why are you guys so worried about the image of the city? Hiding Skeletons ? You will see everything...what everybody needs to see about the GREAT CITY of Karachi!!!!
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Nov 13, 2014 12:14am
@vinay where do we get the best chaat? do not use google.
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Nov 13, 2014 12:32am
Wow, so many Indians passing demeaning remarks about our beautiful city, Karachi. Believe me, having visited Mumbai, I know for a fact that Karachi is a great deal more cleaner, the people much more friendly, and we don't let animals run rampant all over our city spreading droppings all over the place which cause disease and bacteria. Karachi has lovely seaside venues, eclectic bazaars, gourmet restaurants, lovely lush green, well maintained parks, museums, iconic landmarks, and magnificent upscale shopping malls.
I'm sure some Pakistani actors would love to host the "Welcome to Karachi" team and offer them true Pakistani hospitality. BTW, Arshad Warsi is surprisingly quite short, .. maybe he wears "elevator" shoes in his movies? Especially if his female co-stars are taller then him... lol
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Nov 13, 2014 12:27pm
Irfan Khan sounds like his ego is out of control ... you can take the man out of India, but you can't take India out of the man : ( Irfan Khan, if this story is true re why you won't take part in a movie with someone you've never even met who happens to be of Pakistani background, then it's sadly pathetic and very narrow minded thinking on your part.
Now all my friends will boycott your movies, thanks for this reality check about your true values.
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Nov 14, 2014 11:44am
Too fair for an average Indian..
@ Bollywood - Please encourage dusky, sultry skin like Nina Davuluri.. Hum nahi encourage karenge, toh kya Hollywood karega??
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Nov 17, 2014 09:30am
I don't have anything against Pakistani actors/actresses working in India, provided they look dusky & real Indian..
This is more of a request to Bollywood - please promote real Indian beauty in the form of dusky/ tanned skin.. Average Indian woman has a skin tone of Frieda Pinto (obviously the larger Indian population lives in villages, who are darker than their city bred elites from few states such as J&K, HP, Punjab, Delhi)
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