‘I’ll make you Aishwarya Rai’, Noor Bukhari recalls Saroj Khan’s bollywood offer
Pakistani former actress and television host Noor Bukhari has taken fans down memory lane by recalling a remarkable encounter with legendary Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, revealing that the late dance maestro once saw immense potential in her and even encouraged her to pursue a career in Indian cinema.
During a recent appearance on a digital show, Noor Bukhari opened up about the memorable meeting, which took place when she was working on her song “Aankhon Mein Saja Ke Khwab Tere.”
Her recollection has since resurfaced online, prompting fans to revisit a fascinating chapter from the era of cross-border artistic collaborations.
According to Noor Bukhari, she was casually dancing in Saroj Khan's private room alongside the choreographer's daughter when Saroj Khan noticed her natural rhythm and screen presence.
Saroj Khan reportedly questioned why Bukhari did not have a heavy, dedicated dance number in her upcoming project, given that the film’s track was framed primarily as a soft, romantic piece.
Recalling the praise, she received, Noor claimed Saroj Khan even told her, “I’ll make you Aishwarya Rai.” The remark reflected the choreographer’s confidence in Noor’s potential and her belief that the Pakistani actress could achieve considerable stardom.
The revelation has sparked a mixed response online. While some fans found Noor’s recollection fascinating and appreciated the nostalgic glimpse into an era when artists from Pakistan and India openly admired one another, others reacted with playful skepticism over the idea of Saroj Khan directly discovering or launching an actress.
Nevertheless, Noor’s story offers an intriguing glimpse into a path that could have dramatically changed her career had she accepted the opportunity and ventured into Bollywood at the time.
Noor Bukhari remains a prominent name in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. A former film actress, director, model and television host, she appeared in more than 40 Urdu films and 20 Punjabi films during the peak of her Lollywood career. Her notable projects include Mujhe Chand Chahiye and Ghar Kab Aao Gay.