Pakistani Men Play Second Fiddle...

PAKISTANI MEN PLAY SECOND FIDDLE...

Two TV hunks from across the border to debut in Bollywood in heroine-centric films

Chaya Unnikrishnan

Over the next two months or so, Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas make their Bollywood debuts. The two share several similarities apart from a shared homeland. Both started with TV and have a huge fan following back home. Both have enviable physiques. They've already proved their acting credentials with several hit serials. Fawad has already done films " his debut film Khuda Kay Liye was Pakistan's biggest grosser of 2007 and his next Armaan won him critical acclaim.

But what's interesting is that their launch films here are heroine-centric ones. Fawad's Khoobsurat revolves around Sonam Kapoor's character while Imran's Creature 3D has Bipasha Basu playing the main role. Here's checking out the dishy dudes...

Fawad Khan

He aroused a lot of curiosity this side of the border with his character Zaroon in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which aired recently in India. A highly paid actor in Pakistan, will he repeat the magic with his Bolly debut?

Height: 5 ft'11 Age: 32

Qualification: A computer science graduate.

In the limelight: Started modelling from the age of 13 and appeared in several commercials. He made his singing debut with rock band Paradigm and went on to croon several popular numbers. He left singing when acting beckoned and he earned more success as a TV actor. His first serial was Jutt and Bond. He followed it up with serials like Satrangi, Dastaan, Humsafar and last, but not the least, Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Unlike Abbas who's quit TV for films, Fawad made his film debut with the biggest grosser Khuda Kay Liye in 2007, and later juggled both.

Bollywood debut: He reprises Rakesh Roshan's role in the remake of Khoobsurat opposite Sonam. His foray into Bollywood has drawn criticism from his fans for working in a Hindi film. Undeterred, he will also be seen in YRF's next. He will also be seen in a Pakistani film and an international co-production Kolachi after that.

Relationship status: Is happily married to Sadaf, whom he met at age of 17. He has a son, Ayaan Khan.

Imran Abbas

Creature 3D's trailer released recently, but it's not been very encouraging for Imran so far, as he is hardly there in the promos. Hopefully, he will be more prominent in the next one. Going by his track record, he just might!

Height: 6 ft Age: 31

Qualification: Architect (Lahore college graduate)

In the limelight: Got a lot of modelling offers. Soon after, TV serial Umraao Jaan happened, making him an overnight star. A sought-after TV actor, Imran did several serials including Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Deewangi, Mera Naseeb, Teri Meri Dosti, etc. He was also seen in a few telefilms.

Bollywood debut: Imran makes his debut opposite Bongshell Bipasha Basu in the horror film Creature. He has already bagged two more films, Muzaffar Ali's Raqs and Funalu. Imran was to foray into Bollywood with a Rajkumar Santoshi film but it didn't happen. He had signed a three-film deal with the director because of which he claims to have lost out on several other projects - Aashiqui 2, Guzaarish (Aditya Kapur's role) and Boss.

Relationship status: No longer single. Is seeing a girl back home in Pakistan and they're planning on tying the knot soon. In fact, some Pakistani websites already mention him as being married him to Aleena Abbas, who is not from the film industry.

chaya.unnikrishnan@dnaindia.net