In an amusing twist straight out of a Bollywood comedy, a popular Pakistani television actor found himself at the centre of unexpected fan frenzy in London—mistaken for none other than Indian superstar Ranbir Kapoor. The confusion was so convincing that excited Indian fans crowded around him, eagerly clicking selfies, blissfully unaware that they were not standing beside the Animal actor, but someone from across the border entirely.
Accordin g a report from Ary News, Affan Waheed, a household name in Pakistan's television industry, recently revealed the incident during a candid appearance on a local talk show. Known for his powerful roles in dramas such as Do Bol, Bay Dardi, and Khamoshi, Waheed shared how he was exiting a London restaurant when a group of Indian fans enthusiastically greeted him, convinced he was Ranbir Kapoor.
“I was taken aback when they called me Ranbir Kapoor,” he recalled with a laugh. “But I didn’t have the heart to disappoint them, so I played along.”
From TV Heartthrob to Accidental Movie Star
For those unfamiliar, Affan Waheed is not just another face on television. With a flourishing career spanning over a decade, he has earned critical and popular acclaim for his nuanced portrayals of romantic and emotional characters. From his breakout role as Musaf in Aik Pal (2014) to the sensitive Badar in Do Bol (2019), Waheed has built a reputation for his compelling performances and screen presence. In 2024, he even made his cinematic debut with the film Mastaani, further expanding his acting repertoire.
But none of that prepared him for his impromptu transformation into a Bollywood superstar in the eyes of overzealous fans abroad.
The actor admitted he chose not to clarify the mistaken identity at the time, fearing that internet trolls might ridicule him for being compared to a megastar like Kapoor. Fellow actor Agha Ali, who was present during the interview, eventually spilled the beans—confirming that the fans had indeed mistaken Waheed for Ranbir Kapoor.
The Man Behind the Mistake
The real Ranbir Kapoor, meanwhile, needs no introduction. Born into Bollywood royalty as the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and the grandson of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Ranbir has carved a niche of his own in Indian cinema. A trained method actor who studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Kapoor made his debut in 2007 with Saawariya. While the film didn’t impress at the box office, Kapoor quickly redeemed himself with hits like Wake Up Sid, Rockstar, and Barfi!—the latter two earning him consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Actor.
In recent years, Ranbir’s star has only risen further. His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018) cemented his reputation as a versatile performer, and the massive success of Brahmāstra (2022) and Animal (2023) has made him one of the most bankable actors in Hindi cinema today.
From Mistaken Identity to Heartwarming Reality
Interestingly, while Affan Waheed was basking in the unintentional glow of Ranbir Kapoor’s fame, the real Kapoor was busy making headlines of his own. His co-star Rashmika Mandanna recently revealed that during the filming of Animal, Kapoor made her cry—not due to on-screen drama, but because of a sweet off-screen gesture.
Disappointed by the bland set breakfast one morning, Mandanna shared her woes with Kapoor. The next day, the actor surprised her with a delicious home-cooked meal, prepared by his personal chef. Overwhelmed by the kindness, she teared up. “How can the same food be so good?” she recalled asking, emotionally.
When Stardom Crosses Borders
The tale of mistaken identity might be hilarious in hindsight, but it also highlights the transnational nature of South Asian celebrity culture. In an age where borders blur in fan imagination and social media, a charismatic face and a dashing look are often enough to send admirers into a frenzy—especially if that face resembles one of Bollywood’s most beloved stars.
As for Affan Waheed, his unintentional masquerade has only added another chapter to his rising fame. And if fans continue to see shades of Ranbir Kapoor in him, well—there are worse comparisons to live with.
Accordin g a report from Ary News, Affan Waheed, a household name in Pakistan's television industry, recently revealed the incident during a candid appearance on a local talk show. Known for his powerful roles in dramas such as Do Bol, Bay Dardi, and Khamoshi, Waheed shared how he was exiting a London restaurant when a group of Indian fans enthusiastically greeted him, convinced he was Ranbir Kapoor.
“I was taken aback when they called me Ranbir Kapoor,” he recalled with a laugh. “But I didn’t have the heart to disappoint them, so I played along.”
From TV Heartthrob to Accidental Movie Star
For those unfamiliar, Affan Waheed is not just another face on television. With a flourishing career spanning over a decade, he has earned critical and popular acclaim for his nuanced portrayals of romantic and emotional characters. From his breakout role as Musaf in Aik Pal (2014) to the sensitive Badar in Do Bol (2019), Waheed has built a reputation for his compelling performances and screen presence. In 2024, he even made his cinematic debut with the film Mastaani, further expanding his acting repertoire.
But none of that prepared him for his impromptu transformation into a Bollywood superstar in the eyes of overzealous fans abroad.
The actor admitted he chose not to clarify the mistaken identity at the time, fearing that internet trolls might ridicule him for being compared to a megastar like Kapoor. Fellow actor Agha Ali, who was present during the interview, eventually spilled the beans—confirming that the fans had indeed mistaken Waheed for Ranbir Kapoor.
— Affan Waheed (@AffanWaheed18) August 24, 2019
The Man Behind the Mistake
The real Ranbir Kapoor, meanwhile, needs no introduction. Born into Bollywood royalty as the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and the grandson of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Ranbir has carved a niche of his own in Indian cinema. A trained method actor who studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Kapoor made his debut in 2007 with Saawariya. While the film didn’t impress at the box office, Kapoor quickly redeemed himself with hits like Wake Up Sid, Rockstar, and Barfi!—the latter two earning him consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Actor.
In recent years, Ranbir’s star has only risen further. His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018) cemented his reputation as a versatile performer, and the massive success of Brahmāstra (2022) and Animal (2023) has made him one of the most bankable actors in Hindi cinema today.
From Mistaken Identity to Heartwarming Reality
Interestingly, while Affan Waheed was basking in the unintentional glow of Ranbir Kapoor’s fame, the real Kapoor was busy making headlines of his own. His co-star Rashmika Mandanna recently revealed that during the filming of Animal, Kapoor made her cry—not due to on-screen drama, but because of a sweet off-screen gesture.
Disappointed by the bland set breakfast one morning, Mandanna shared her woes with Kapoor. The next day, the actor surprised her with a delicious home-cooked meal, prepared by his personal chef. Overwhelmed by the kindness, she teared up. “How can the same food be so good?” she recalled asking, emotionally.
When Stardom Crosses Borders
The tale of mistaken identity might be hilarious in hindsight, but it also highlights the transnational nature of South Asian celebrity culture. In an age where borders blur in fan imagination and social media, a charismatic face and a dashing look are often enough to send admirers into a frenzy—especially if that face resembles one of Bollywood’s most beloved stars.
As for Affan Waheed, his unintentional masquerade has only added another chapter to his rising fame. And if fans continue to see shades of Ranbir Kapoor in him, well—there are worse comparisons to live with.
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