Agha made her acting debut in the 1982 film Nikaah, in which she also sang several songs. Her rendition of 'Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Beh Gaye' became a major hit and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She was also nominated for Best Actress for the same film.
Her success in Nikaah turned her into a major star, and she went on to work with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, including Rishi Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Rajesh Khanna, Feroz Khan and Mithun Chakraborty.
She also appeared in several Pakistani films, building a strong connection with the country's film industry. Her Pakistani film credits include Bobby, Ham Aur Tum, Bhabi Dian Choorian, Ek Say Barh Kar Ek, Bazar-e-Husn, Da Bhabhi Bangri, Taqat Ka Toofan, Phoolan Devi and Cobra.
Beyond acting, Agha established herself as a singer. Her distinctive voice became an important part of her appeal, and her success in playback singing helped distinguish her from many actresses of her era.
A career that faded from the spotlight
Despite her early success, Agha's mainstream acting career did not continue at the same pace. She gradually appeared less frequently on screen, although she continued to remain connected with the entertainment industry.
Her personal life also attracted considerable attention. She was married to Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh and later to Pakistani squash player Rahmat Khan. She subsequently married Dubai-based businessman Manzar Shah in 2011. Agha has children from her relationship with Rahmat Khan, including her daughter Zahrah S. Khan, who has pursued a career in Bollywood as an actress and playback singer.
Where is Salma Agha now?
Agha has primarily been based in Mumbai in recent years, while remaining involved in the entertainment industry. Her daughter Zahrah has also established herself in Bollywood, continuing the family's connection with music and cinema.
Agha's family background is closely connected with the film and music worlds. Her mother, Nasreen, was the daughter of musician Rafiq Ghaznavi and actress Anwari Begum, who was among the early actresses of Indian cinema. Through this family lineage, Agha is also connected to the wider Kapoor family.
Her nationality becomes a talking point again
The issue of Agha's nationality has returned to the spotlight after she recently said in an interview that she never held Pakistani citizenship.
Agha said her family had moved to the United Kingdom and that she is British. She described her work in Pakistan as that of a professional artist and spoke positively about her experience in the country.
Her comments have triggered reactions on social media, particularly because she spent years working in Pakistani cinema and became a well-known face of the country's film industry.
Agha has also previously clarified her status in India. She is not an Indian citizen; instead, she was granted an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which provides certain residency and travel privileges. Indian authorities approved the card in 2016 after she cited her Indian family roots.
At the time, Indian media reported that Agha was a British citizen and had clarified that she had never held Pakistani citizenship.
From overnight stardom to a lasting legacy
More than four decades after Nikaah, Salma Agha remains remembered for the rare combination of acting and singing that made her stand out in the 1980s.
Her career crossed the boundaries of Pakistan, India and Britain, while her family continued its association with cinema and music through the next generation.
Today, her name is back in the headlines not because of a new film, but because of a question that has followed her for years، where exactly does she belong?
For Agha, the answer appears to be more complicated than a single nationality. Her career was built across borders, while her latest comments have once again revived the debate over her connection with Pakistan and India.
