According to Pakistani actress Sanam Saeed, generations of the “whole of Pakistan” grew up on Bollywood films and content, and they know minute details about India, but Indians are not as known to Pakistani art and culture. Sanam rose to fame after her TV show Zindagi Gulzar Hai, in which she co-starred with Fawad Khan, aired in Pakistan in 2012. Two years later, Indian audiences were able to watch the show, and it quickly became popular in the country.
In an interview with Indian Express, Sanam said of the films she watches.she said, “Personally, I prefer to watch Hollywood. But the entire Pakistan has been raised on Bollywood, from our grandparents to us, and we are familiar with Madhubala, Kareena Kapoor, and now Deepika Padukone. We’ve seen every generation. We have literally grown up with Bollywood, the song, the dance, the culture, the way they eat, and the way they perform pooja. Indian mein kya hota hai hum sab jaante hai (We know what happens in India). But India has no idea what is going on in Pakistan.”
She went on to say, “They don’t know how we eat or who we are. There are minor differences in how we wear salwar kameez and tie our hair. We know what an Indian choti (braid) is, but I don’t think India knows what a Pakistani choti is like. These minor details are present. When ZEE Zindagi debuted, India realised, ‘Oh, this is how they wear their clothes, this is how they interact,’ and how independent women are also present. That was fascinating to witness.”
Sanam has worked as a stage performer, video jockey, and model. She was also a model and a stand-up comedian. She was also a member of the house band for the Pakistani version of Coke Studio’s third season. On the show, she had taken the place of Natasha De Souza. Sanam will re-team with Zindagi Gulzar Hai co-star Fawad Khan for Asim Abbasi’s show, which premiered in 2021.