Some of Bollywood's most recognisable faces hold foreign passports and are not from India. Alia Bhatt has British citizenship despite being born and raised in India, while Kalki Koechlin is a French citizen who built her career in Bollywood. 

Nationalities of many Bollywood actors have returned to the spotlight after Imran Khan was reportedly issued a notice to leave India by October 28, 2026, following his participation in a Mumbai protest. The development has drawn attention to his American citizenship and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status.

Here are some Bollywood actors who have acclaimed their journey in Hindi cinema but hold a foreign passport.

Indian Actors Who Are Not Indian

1. Alia Bhatt 

Alia Bhatt was born in Mumbai in 1993. She started her acting career in Bollywood at 19. She holds British citizenship through her mother, actor Soni Razdan, who was born in Birmingham, England.

In an interview with Wired during the promotion of her Hollywood movie Heart of Stone, Alia confirmed her nationality. “My mom was born in Birmingham, but I was born and brought up in India,” she said.

2. Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif was born in Hong Kong and holds British citizenship. She entered Hindi cinema with Boom in 2003. Later, she established herself through films such as Namastey London, New York, Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai.

In a 2011 interview reported by Hindustan Times, she addressed questions about her background and her mother’s nationality. “Am I supposed to be ashamed that I am half Asian, half European? I mean, no!” she said, adding that she was proud of her identity.

3. Imran Khan

Imran Khan, best known for rom-coms like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, I Hate Luv Storys and Delhi Belly, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in the United States. He holds American citizenship and has an OCI card.

An OCI card offers eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin certain privileges, including lifelong, multiple-entry travel to India, subject to applicable rules. 

4. Nora Fatehi

Nora Fatehi was born in Toronto, Canada. She rose to prominence in Indian entertainment through dance performances, reality television and film appearances, including the hit songs Dilbar and O Saki Saki.

In a 2024 interview with InStyle, Nora spoke about the challenge of entering Bollywood without initially speaking Hindi and credited audience support for helping her establish herself.

5. Jacqueline Fernandez

Jacqueline Fernandez was born in Bahrain, a sovereign island nation in the Persian Gulf. Her father is Sri Lankan and her mother is Malaysian descent. 

She entered Bollywood with Aladdin in 2009 and went on to appear in films such as Murder 2, Housefull 2 and Kick.

Her father’s background is often connected to her birthplace, but Bahrain is not the country associated with her citizenship. She identifies as Sri Lankan.

6. Sunny Leone

Sunny Leone, born Karenjit Kaur Vohra, was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. She is a Canadian-American actor and has worked across films, television and business ventures in India.

She became widely known to Indian audiences through Bigg Boss 5 in 2011 and subsequently made her Hindi film debut with Jism 2 in 2012. Other film credits include Ragini MMS 2 and Ek Paheli Leela.

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7. Kalki Koechlin 

Kalki Koechlin was born in Puducherry, India, to French parents who settled in Auroville. She grew up in India and became known for films such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Margarita with a Straw.

In an interview with Media India Group, Koechlin confirmed her French passport. Explaining why she retained it, she said: “I can stay in India my whole life, but I chose the French passport because it is easier to travel; it opens more doors.”

8. Nargis Fakhri

Born in Queens, New York, Nargis Fakhri holds American citizenship and has Pakistani-Czech family roots. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar, which established her as a familiar face in Hindi cinema. 

She later appeared in Madras Cafe, Main Tera Hero and Housefull 3.

In a June 2024 interview with Hindustan Times, Fakhri described herself as a ‘global citizen’, reflecting her international background and career. 

9. Ileana D’Cruz

Ileana D’Cruz was born in Mumbai and grew up in Goa. D’Cruz holds a Portuguese nationality, which she officially acquired in 2014. 

Before becoming a leading name in Telugu cinema, Ileana made her Hindi film debut with Barfi. Her other Hindi films include Main Tera Hero, Rustom and Raid.

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10. Amy Jackson 

Amy Jackson was born on the Isle of Man and grew up in the United Kingdom. Jackson is British, and her career has spanned Tamil, Hindi and Telugu cinema.

She entered Indian cinema with the Tamil period drama Madrasapattinam, before appearing in Hindi films such as Ekk Deewana Tha and Singh Is Bliing. 

FAQs

1. Which Bollywood actors have foreign citizenship?

Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan, Nora Fatehi, Nargis Fakhri and Amy Jackson are among the actors associated with Indian cinema who hold foreign citizenship.

2. Does Alia Bhatt have British citizenship?

Yes, Alia Bhatt holds British citizenship despite being born and raised in Mumbai.

3. Can foreign citizens vote in Indian elections?

No. Only Indian citizens who meet the eligibility requirements can vote in Indian elections.