A tale of glamour, controversy, and downfall — Pakistani actress Anita Ayoob’s Bollywood journey was forever shadowed by her alleged link to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Published: October 20, 2025 7:21 AM IST
Bollywood of the 80s and 90s was as notorious for its films as it was for its underworld connections. At that time, the industry was under a shadow of something more sinister than cinema. The influence of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was so great that not only were films made at his behest, but the fates of actresses were also decided by his whim. During that era, a name rapidly emerged: Anita Ayoob. This Pakistani-born actress quickly became a household name in the industry, but her name soon became linked to Dawood Ibrahim, and what followed would destroy both her career and life.
Journey from Karachi to Mumbai
Anita Ayoob was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Intelligent, confident, and strikingly beautiful, Anita earned a Master’s in English Literature and then moved to India to pursue her acting dreams. After training at Roshan Taneja’s acting school in Mumbai, she began her career as a model. Her luck shone when Dev Anand launched her in his film Pyar Ka Tarana (1993). She then starred in the 1995 film Gangster, which was a moderate success.
Dawood Ibrahim’s Name and Career Eclipse
While her career was gaining momentum, Anita’s name began to be linked to Dawood Ibrahim. It was said that Dawood was so enamored of Anita that he began pressuring producers to cast her in films. When producer Javed Siddiqui refused to cast Anita in a film, he was shot dead. Suspicion pointed directly at Dawood and his associates, and Anita also came under scrutiny. Although no evidence was found against her, her name became embroiled in controversy, and the film industry distanced itself from her.
Accused of Being a Pakistani Spy
Meanwhile, a Pakistani fashion magazine claimed that Anita was suspected in Bollywood of being a Pakistani spy. This news added fuel to the fire, and without any official announcement, Anita Ayoob was ousted from the industry.
Anonymity and New Life
After a career-destroying and ever-increasing controversy, Anita left India and returned to Pakistan. She later married Saumil Patel, an Indian Gujarati businessman, and settled in New York. They had a son, Shezar. However, this relationship didn’t last long, and Anita later married Pakistani businessman Subak Majeed. Today, Anita Ayoob lives a life of complete anonymity, with no interviews, no social media appearances, and no public appearances. She has also completely stopped visiting India.
