Yash Chopra’s 94th birth anniversary EXCLUSIVE: Adnan Sami reveals LESSER-KNOWN story of how the legendary filmmaker helped him secure Indian citizenship: “He gave me a letter of recommendation and said, ‘It would be my ABSOLUTE pleasure’”
Today, September 27, marks the 94th birth anniversary of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Yash Chopra. He is remembered not just for his wonderful films, many of which have stood the test of time, but also for his jovial nature with which he charmed one and all. Not many, however, are aware that he also played an important role in helping Adnan Sami secure Indian citizenship. On the occasion of Yash Chopra’s birth anniversary, Bollywood Hungama exclusively brings to you a little-known piece of trivia.
Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Adnan Sami in August 2026 during the release of his latest song, ‘Ishq Tamasha’. The interview was conducted in his study, where Adnan has displayed the Preamble to the Constitution of India. We asked him about it, which led him to recall Yash Chopra’s kind gesture.
Adnan Sami said, “Yash ji was like a father figure to me. He was extremely loving and supportive of me. As part of the process of getting Indian citizenship, you need to have a letter of recommendation from a fellow citizen. It’s a part of the procedure. I spoke to Yash ji and he was very forthcoming. He said, ‘It would be my absolute pleasure to do that’ (smiles).”
Adnan continued, “A lot of people feel that it happened overnight. Some assume that one day I woke up and decided, ‘Chalo Indian citizenship lete hain’, and I got it the next day (laughs). That’s not how it’s done. It was a long process. It took me about 18 years to get it! The requirements were strict. Also, my application got rejected twice, that too, not on any grounds. These are bureaucratic procedures. If you don’t cross the letter ‘T’ properly or put the dot on the ‘I’ properly, or if you leave some column blank by mistake, your application gets rejected on such grounds. They inform you of the reason behind it. Then you need to begin from scratch. And the next time, you make sure to cross the ‘T’ perfectly (laughs).”
Adnan Sami further said, “So, these things take time. It took 18 years. This is why I turn around and say, ‘It was a long struggle’. It required herculean patience. Therefore, once I was blessed with it, that’s why I value every aspect of it. And that is why you have the Preamble over here, because I value it (smiles).”
Also Read: Adnan Sami recalls working in India as Pakistani citizen: “It was never difficult for me to get work in India”
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