Many Bollywood fans may not instantly recognise his name, but they’ve certainly seen his face. Whether it was as the witty bootlegger in Filmistaan or the Iraqi translator in Airlift, Inaamulhaq has a talent for getting into the skin of his characters. So much so that after Filmistaan released, some viewers actually believed he was Pakistani in real life. And when Airlift hit the screens, others assumed he was Iraqi. That’s the level of conviction he brings to every role. The actor recently opened up about how he wants to earn his name, without being labelled as someone's co-actor.

Why Inaamulhaq was once mistaken for a Pakistani actor?

In a candid chat with a media portal, Inaamulhaq recalled how Filmistaan gave him his first big break, and also his first big identity crisis. He played a Pakistani man who sells pirated Bollywood films, and did it with such authenticity that people genuinely thought he wasn’t Indian. "People used to ask if I was having visa issues," he told Digital Commentary, "and I had to explain that I’m from Mumbai!"


At first, he found the assumptions odd, even frustrating. But over time, he began to view it differently. He accepted it as a compliment as he played the role so well that people thought the actor was actually from that country. A similar situation unfolded after Airlift, where early viewers assumed he was a native Arabic speaker, simply because of how well he captured the accent and body language of his character.

But while his performances have earned admiration, recognition by name has remained rare. What stings more for Inaamulhaq is being constantly referred to as "Akshay Kumar’s co-star", a label that follows many supporting actors in the industry. The Bollywood actor shared that he didn't come here to build his identity as someone's co-actor. "I want people to know my name. I came here to earn it."

All you need to know about actor Inaamulhaq

Born in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Inaamulhaq stepped into acting at the young age of 12. He honed his craft with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) before graduating from the National School of Drama (NSD) in 2003, with a specialisation in acting. His journey from theatre to the silver screen has been marked by patience, persistence, and undeniable talent.


Over the years, he’s appeared in films like Firaaq, Lucknow Central, Jolly LLB 2, and Nakkash, for which he won Best Actor at a film festival in Washington D.C. On OTT, he’s made a mark in Hasmukh and Maharani, proving that his range extends beyond the big screen.

Yet, despite all these roles, the mainstream industry still doesn’t fully recognise what he brings to the table. Inaamulhaq is more than just a "character actor" or a "co-star." He’s a powerful performer in his own right, and he’s finally asking to be seen that way.