1. Mahira Khan – Raees

Film Critic, Anna MM Vetticad, said, “Mahira Khan – a star in Pakistan, a debutant here – is naturally easy before the camera playing Raees’ girlfriend and later his wife.”

Mahira Khan is the first Pakistani female actor that has joined Bollywood’s 100-crore club. She made her appearance opposite King Khan in the movie Raaes. Mahira Khan is considered one of Pakistan’s most popular and highest-paid actresses. In December 2016, Khan became a victim of false news after anti-India comment emerged ahead of the release of her Bollywood debut film Raees.

2. Kanan Gill – Noor

Rajeev Masand, film critic said, “Stand-up comic Kanan Gill in the role of Noor’s best friend Saad, imbues the character with a refreshing everyman quality.”

Kanan Gill is an Indian stand-up comedian, actor, and YouTuber. Kanan Gill found himself starring in Noor, with Sonakshi Sinha. Kanan Gill is already well known in comedy circles and is an internet celebrity with quite the fan following. He is known for the YouTube series, Pretentious Movie Reviews where he reviews flawed yesteryear Bollywood films along with fellow stand-up comedian Biswa Kalyan Rath.

3. Saba Qamar – Hindi Medium

Film critic Anna MM Vetticad, said, “Qamar is a beauty. Between her and Fawad Khan, they might convince Hindi film audiences that Pakistan has cornered a majority share of the world’s hotness. Though her character is often hyper, her acting never is – that is a fine line to tread, and she pulls it off.”

According to Irrfan, the actor saw Saba Qamar’s work on YouTube and was instantly won over by her. “Sometimes the co-actors become very important because your onscreen chemistry plays a vital role in the film. So when I saw her YouTube videos, I recommended her to the director and producer and they really liked her,” he said.

4. Suraj Sharma – Phillauri

Film critic Rajeev Masand said,  “All four leads put in strong performances, but Suraj Sharma’s flair for physical comedy is a refreshing revelation…”

Now, you may know him from Life of Pi, but in Bollywood, Suraj Sharma debuted in the Anushka Sharma – Diljit Dosanjh starrer Phillauri. He was cast opposite Mehreen as a newly wedded groom who encounters a ghost. Well, what can I say, that Suraj is clearly going places, but we all knew that when we saw Life of Pi, didn’t we? The Ang Lee film even earned him a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination.

1. 5. Mehreen Pirzada – Phillauri

Film critic Anupama Chopra “The present-day relationship, enacted nicely by Suraj Sharma and Mehreen Pirzada, also has emotional depth.”

Mehreen Kaur Pirzada is an Indian model and actress who acts predominantly in Telugu films Pirzada made her debut with the Tollywood film Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha in which she was paired opposite Nani. Mehreen made her Bollywood debut with Phillauri in 2017.