Afghan Celebrities

Annet Mahendru is an Afghan-American actress of Indian-Russian origin. She was born in Kabul to an Indian father (a journalist and professor) and a Russian mother (a businesswoman and artist). Annet spent her early years learning six languages while living in Afghanistan, Russia, and Europe. She put her curious mind to use playing competitive chess and earning a brown belt in Karate, sweeping a free sparring championship. At age 11, Annet choreographed a performance that gained her an appearance on German TV as a graceful Russian snow maiden that turns into a playful Indian dancer. Sad that her parents never signed her up for ballet classes as a little girl, she joined a local Rock 'n' Roll dance group, and later, began to study classical Indian dance, Bharatanatyam.

Annet finished high school in New York and received a Bachelor of Arts in English at St. John's University. After school, drawn by her passion for acting, she took classes at the HB studio, performed in plays, and Indie films. But it was in the course of pursuing a Master's degree in Global Affairs at NYU that Annet reached a crossroad in her life. She decided to drop out of NYU and escaped to the West Coast in search for yet another degree that would enable her to effect the kind of change she really wished for. This one was in Storytelling. Always being a big fan of Improvisation, she began studies at the Groundlings School and took on several comedy projects thereafter. Annet has also studied at the Imagined Life in Hollywood because she finds trans-formative experience and expression of the empathetic imagination to be the foundation of her work.

Everything, from growing up among a big Indian family on a healthy diet of Bollywood films to experiencing St. Petersburg's famous ballet, art and theatre scene, prepared Annet for her life as an ambassador of change through storytelling. Becoming an actress synthesized her many curiosities with her passion and mission.

Annet is best known for her starring role in the 2013 TV series The Americans, where she plays the role "Nina," the beautiful and mysterious spy opposite FBI Agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich). "Annet Mahendru has been a revelation as Nina, bringing the character to life with a rich and subtle depth that keeps you guessing as to what's really percolating under the surface," said Executive Producers Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields. Other credits include 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, Big Time Rush, The Blacklist, The X Files and feature films Escape From Tomorrow and Love Gloria.

Noorin Gulamgaus was raised in Toronto, Canada. He is the brother of actress Sirena Gulamgaus. Noorin started off in the industry after securing a featuring role without an agent, in the 2014 RoboCop remake. After being thrown into a massive studio film, alongside Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton, he quickly realized that anything is possible. He attended a performing arts high school in Toronto, to better learn the craft of acting. Immediately after graduating high school, Noorin acquired two supporting roles in the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated film, The Breadwinner, produced by Angelina Jolie. He has also been directed by iconic director Paul Feig. In 2021, Noorin returned back to his roots and attended drama school for two years. He can next be seen in a supporting role in the Netflix film, Code 8 Part II. And also, in a leading role in two time Academy Award winner Bill Guttentag's film; Afghan Dreamers.

Azita Ghanizada is a political refugee and asylum seeker who has broken many cultural barriers in Hollywood. She has worked consistently on film and TV, holding her own opposite Academy Award-winners and nominees such as Rachel Weisz, Mahershala Ali, David Strathairn, Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, and Casey Affleck. In 2016, she was named one of the "Seven Sundance Breakout Actresses You Must Know" for her work opposite Rachel Weisz in "Complete Unknown." On television, she has appeared on several hit TV shows, including CBS's "United States of Al," HBO's "Ballers," Freeform's "Good Trouble," and Syfy's "Alphas." In 2022, she became the first woman from Afghanistan on Broadway in her Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" at The Helen Hayes Theater.

Azita is also the Founder and President of the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC). She launched MAAC after lobbying and succeeding in adding the first new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hiring category into a labor contract in 37 years. Middle Eastern North African, known as MENA, was drafted into the SAG-AFTRA theatrical agreements in 2017. Azita has served as the SAG-AFTRA National MENA Committee Chair and a Global Ambassador to Women for Women International.

Fahim Fazli is a multifaceted talent, renowned for his contributions as an actor, author, and combat interpreter for the U.S. Marines. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Fazli saw his personal journey span continents as it reflected a life shaped by resilience and artistic passion. His acting credits include appearances in notable films such as Superman,Iron Man, Argo, American Sniper, and 12 Strong, as weathered and distinguished looking man the first Afghan born American actor in Hollywood, showcasing his versatility and depth as a performer. Beyond the silver screen, Fazli is also celebrated for his memoir, FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back, which offers a poignant narrative of his experiences bridging cultures and navigating the cultural complexities of international conflict. His critically acclaimed biography won a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. With his compelling blend of artistry, advocacy, and optimism, Fazli continues to inspire audiences worldwide, embodying the power of storytelling to transcend borders and remind people everywhere of our shared humanity.

"Afghanistan is a complicated place,' says Fahim Fazli, and he knows. Born in that enigmatic nation when it was at peace, coming of age as it became a land of terror, and even helping Hollywood recreate the years of war against the USSR, he has a story told in the languages of his origin yet understood by the ears of the Western World. As both history and memoir, when Fahim Fazli speaks we are fascinated." -Tom Hanks, Actor, Writer, Director

Safi Rauf was born and raised in an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan, where his passion for cameras and storytelling first took root. With a handy-cam and a Sony Cybershot, he became the de facto cinematographer and photographer for his entire village, capturing weddings, holidays, you name it. At 17, Safi immigrated to the United States, and after high school, he joined the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command as a linguist in Afghanistan. There his fluency in six languages became a crucial asset in hundreds of operations with the Special Operations Task Force (Delta Force) from 2012 to 2016.

After JSOC, Safi joined the Navy Reserves as a corpsman while pursuing a pre-med degree at Georgetown University. Driven by his humanitarian commitment, Safi returned to Afghanistan in 2021, helping evacuate thousands of at-risk Afghans and American nationals. While conducting aid work in Afghanistan in December 2021, Safi was taken hostage by the Taliban and held as a captive for 105 days. Safi was released in April 2022 and upon returning to the states, decided to shift his focus to amplifying the stories and causes that mattered the most. This has led Safi to fully embrace his passion for storytelling through the camera.

Upon Safi's release, he was commissioned by Theater Aspen to create a play based on his story, which received The Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund award. While foraying into narrative cinematography in addition to non-fiction, Safi is currently(2025) developing his debut feature film with the support of the Sundance Screenwriters Intensive, for which he was selected as 2025 Sundance Institute Fellow. Over the past three years, Safi has served as a cinematographer and associate producer on four documentaries, including "A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole," which was featured at The Sundance Film Festival, The Hamptons International Film Festival, DOC NYC, and more. Additionally, Safi's worked as a cinematographer and editor for Marathon Digital capturing behind-the-scenes content for Broadway hits like "Hamilton" and "Hadestown,".

Sitara Attaie is an American actress who spent her early years learning several languages including: Dari, Farsi, Dutch, German, Hindi, Urdu, Pashto and conversational French. She's lived in five different countries, across four different continents.

Sitara received her BFA in English Literature from The University of Groningen, Associates Degree in Teacher Training from Hanze Hoge School and her certificate in Journalism from Hoge School van Utrecht.

During her early years in Europe, Sitara won several national competitions and has choreographed several commercials, music videos and songs. She also partook in different projects on Dutch television (VARA's 12X12, Missen) and was a freelance Journalist for various media (Spunk.nl, Cultuur Scouts Magazine). Sitara has modeled for a variety of fashion brands after she won beauty pageants in The Netherlands and Turkey.

Warina Hussain was born on 23 February 1996 in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is an actress, known for Love Will Take Over (2018), Dabangg 3 (2019) and Yaariyan 2 (2023).

Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada was born in 1997 in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. He is an actor, known for The Kite Runner (2007), Efter tio (2006) and Sommar & Vinter i P1 (1959).

Muhammed Cangören was born in 1951 in Afghanistan. He is an actor, known for Argo (2012), Üzgünüm Leyla (2000) and The Charmer (2017).

Khaled Hosseini was born on 4 March 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is a writer and actor, known for The Kite Runner (2007), A Thousand Splendid Suns and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Jem Cohen was born in 1962 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is a director and cinematographer, known for Museum Hours (2012), Chain (2004) and Benjamin Smoke (2000).

Ali Olomi, an Afghan American born in Kabul, Afghanistan, lives in Los Angeles, California.

He is an accomplished actor (SAG-AFTRA) known for Feature Films and TV shows such as: Raising Kanan, 12 Strong, Little America, Seal Team, Madam Secretary, Stumptown, 68 Whiskey, Rogue Warfare: Death of a Nation, NCIS:LA, Wildcat, Scandal, Beyond Paradise, INAPP, The Colony, Blue, Other People's Money and more.

Ali Olomi started working as an Actor out of pure love of the arts. He is a talented Actor who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression. His roles are often noted for their unique blend of passion, grace, and fire.

Ali Olomi is also multilingual and speaks several languages fluently including: English, Pashto (Native Language), Farsi/Dari (Native Language), Hindi and has knowledge of Arabic, German and Urdu.

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan Wida and her family fled to Pakistan when the Soviet Army invaded in the mid 1970's and immigrated to America in 1981. Having been raised in a conservative household, Wida kept her dreams of acting to herself, but quietly took several drama classes in high school and college.

After graduating from college with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science, she pursued a career in broadcast news, but later decided to work in the field of public relations. For many years, because of her conservative nurturing, she was not able to pursue her dreams of being an actress, to really achieve the "American Dream," until 2018.

Since then, Wida has fully dived into acting by taking classes with Robert D'Avanzo, Leslie Kahn, Amy Lyndon, Mark Daugherty and improv at The Groundlings.

She has started adding to her credits, including a guest star role on CBS's NCIS; a recurring role in the pilot episode of ABC's "LA Law" reboot; a guest star role on Fox's Game of Talents; and the lead role in the film "Before Dawn, Kabul Time," which qualified for the 95th Academy Awards for best live action short film. The film was executive produced by Lena Waithe and premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and select theaters nationwide.

Atiq Rahimi was born on 26 February 1962 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is a writer and director, known for Earth and Ashes (2004), The Patience Stone (2012) and Our Lady of the Nile (2019).

A lovely young actress who was discovered by director Sadiq Barmak. At the time she was 13, working the Afghani streets of Kabul as a beggar to help feed the family. The director hired her to play the nameless girl turned boy "Osama" in the film Osama (2003). She used her earnings to shelter her parents. Noticable for her beautiful smile, she is generally a shy, modest girl known for her giggles and blushes.

Zekeria Ebrahimi was born in 1996 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is an actor, known for The Kite Runner (2007).

Date of Birth: September 7, 1962

Growing up in Afghanistan, Siddiq Barmak dreamed of being a cinema projectionist, but he eventually realized that he wanted to have a more hands-on role in filmmaking, and in 1987, he got his masters in film direction.In 1988, he made his first documentary short film, called The Disaster of Withering, and in 1991, he filmed his first full-length documentary: The Hadith of Conquer. From 1992 to 1996 Siddiq was head of the Afghan Film Organization while living in Kabul, but when the Taliban took control, filmmaking was banned, and Barmak was forced to escape first to the north, then eventually to Pakistan. Returning in 2001 after an American-led invasion brought about the collapse of Taliban, Siddiq re-established the Afghan Film Organization and went on to found the Buddha Film Organization. Unfortunately, all of Siddiq's previous works were confiscated and destroyed during the Taliban regime. Among his film credits is the Dari language film Urooj that depicts the Afghan resistance against the 1979 to 1989 invasion of the Soviet Union.

Barmak decided to write and direct his first feature film, Osama (2003), after hearing a true story about a girl in Afghan who disguised herself as a boy during the Taliban regime so she could attend school. Barmak decided to use non-professional actors in the film and searched orphanages and refugee camps for his cast. He found a 12-year-old girl, Marina Golbahari, to play his main character on the street after she approached him to ask for spare change. Osama has won awards all over the world, including a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

Sahraa Karimi was born on 21 May 1983 in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is a director and writer, known for Hava, Maryam, Ayesha (2019), Afghan Women Behind the Wheel (2009) and Flight from Kabul.

Sameer Ali Khan is an Afghan international actor and martial artist known for playing tough, masculine characters in Afghan, American, and Bollywood feature films. His intense stare and fluid martial arts skills give his anti-hero characters an edge of authenticity. Khan's love of Cinema and action movies originated in his youth. Khan was born into a middle-class and well-educated family in Kabul, Afghanistan. As a kid, street fighting was a way of life for him amid the Afghan Civil War chaos. The oppressive environment on Kabul's war-torn streets was a serious motivator for Khan to express his frustrations through his passions. He took his cues from legends such as Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme, who taught him a love for cinema and martial arts; his brand of addictive cocktail fueled Khan to pursue his martial arts training starting at 13 years old. He excelled in Taekwondo and Kickboxing, all the while teaching himself how to act. After producing and acting in two Afghan regional films, Khan moved to Mumbai in 2007 to continue growing as an actor in Indian cinema. He was the first Afghan actor honored with a scholarship from the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Mumbai. He got his first break in 2011 for the short film "God is Dead." The film was nominated at the Cannes Film Festival, where Khan was praised for his performance. In 2012, he arranged for a group of Bollywood's well-known celebrities to participate in the first-ever "Afghan Film Festival" held in Kabul, Afghanistan. Khan broke through as a Bollywood star by securing a major role as a mutant named Antman in India's first superhero franchise, Krissh 3, starring Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan. Not only was this Khan's first mega-budget film, but for Khan, Krissh 3 paved the way in securing substantial roles such as The Prince of Kuwait in the 2016's drama-thriller Airlift; starring Akshay Kumar, and an underground MMA fighter in Happy New Year alongside Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. The transition to American Cinema came with the breakthrough role of Azam Ghol in Director Barry Levinson's comedy, Rock the Kasbah. Khan joined an all-star American cast, including Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Kate Hudson. Khan is now a recognized face in both Hollywood and Bollywood. Khan is fluent in English, Dari, Urdu, and Pashto

Fereshta Kazemi is an Afghan-American film Actress in the United States & Afghanistan. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan at the height of the country's Russian take over, Kazemi fled with her family on one of the last planes out of Kabul. They went to Bankok, Thailand for a few years, then to New York City where she was raised. The family migrated to the California Bay Area in her mid-teens. At eighteen, Kazemi won an acting and academic scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, where she studied acting and writing, the first Afghan female to study acting in the United States. Kazemi also earned a degree in Philosophy & Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Davis. She continued graduate acting and screenwriting studies at Academy of Art University and earned an MBA, emphasizing in Film Production from Chapman University. In 2009, Kazemi starred in Heal, a film about Afghanistan which has won twenty international and domestic film festival awards, including winner of the Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Category at Comic Con International Film Festival in 2011. In 2010, Kazemi starred in Targeting, a U.S. psychological thriller, playing a young Afghan immigrant wife in the U.S., which included a scene of one of the first on screen kisses in cinema for an Afghan Actress. Kazemi has categorically been profiled as an artist creating change in Afghan culture through cinema, with NBC News calling her a "trailblazer". The L.A. Times said Fereshta offers "no apology, no explanation...Raised in the U.S., she is back now for the first time [in Afghanistan], determined to radically alter the way Afghans view women - particularly women who act". In 2013, Fereshta played the leading role in The Icy Sun, one of the first films openly dealing with rape in Afghanistan. NBC News said her role "breaks new ground for Afghanistan, where victims of rape can be forced to marry their attackers to preserve their families' honor". Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Carolyn Cole, snapped Kazemi in one of the first miniskirts to grace the streets of Kabul since the fall of the Taleban in 2001.

Adnan Ghalib was born in 1972 in Afghanistan. He has been married to Azlynn Berry since 18 December 2003.

Javid Hakim is an Afghan-Persian actor based in Vienna, Austria known for intense on-screen and on-stage presence.

At the age of 5, he moved with his family to Iran, where he grew up. At the age of 12, he started to train and perform Shaolin Kungfu/Wushu and won several prizes at city and country level. At that time he already started working as a choreographer for martial arts in films. In 2010 he took several classes in acting, directory and screenplay in Isfahan.

Since 2013 he lives and works in Vienna/Austria, where he had his first role as a solo performer in 2014.

From 2015 to 2019, he studied acting at diverCITYLAB Academy Vienna. Since then he's played in several theatre productions and short films, such as: Junge Burg "Gimme Shelter" on stage; short film "Ein letztes Mal" (director: Jura Branellec); short film "Es war einmal" (director: Hüseyin Tabak); theatre production "The Mechanical Paradise" (director: Yosi Wanunu); theatre performance "The hour we knew nothing of earth other" (Asli Kislal); theatre performance "How to live together" (director: Yosi Wanunu) by the group Toxic Dreams at Kunsthalle Wien, and the theatre performance "Do Whales Dream of Tasty Sharks?" (director: Yosi Wananu). The last theatre production he was seen in was "Kalashnikov Mon Amour" (director: Corinne Eckenstein) in 2021 at Dschungel Wien.

In addition to his theatre and film work, Javid recently appeared in Guy Ritchie's film "The Covenant" in the role of "Ismail."

Mustafa Haidari is a proud Afghan-American actor whose life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mustafa grew up in a world marked by the beauty of a rich cultural heritage and the harsh realities of a war-torn nation. It was within this backdrop that Mustafa developed a deep appreciation for storytelling as a means of expression and resilience.

Mustafa's versatility as an actor is evident in his work on critically acclaimed projects such as the Academy Award-winning show Homeland (Showtime), FBI (CBS), For All Mankind (Apple TV) SEAL Team (CBS), Echo 3 (Apple TV), Shooter (USA), and The Looming Tower (Hulu). Mustafa's love for comedy further broadened his repertoire, leading to memorable roles in HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Brink (2015), Warner Bros.' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016), Adult Swim's Decker (2017), and Comedy Central's Tosh.0 (2014). Despite his success, Mustafa has never lost sight of his roots. He remains deeply connected to his Afghan heritage and is an advocate for authenticity in storytelling. His deep knowledge of Afghan culture has made him an invaluable asset in Hollywood, where he has worked as a technical and cultural advisor, as well as a dialect coach in Dari and Pashto. Mustafa's contributions have been instrumental in ensuring that productions achieve the highest level of cultural accuracy and respect.

Mustafa's passion for acting ignited at a young age, fueled by the vibrant traditions of Afghan culture and the powerful narratives that shaped his homeland. Mustafa's journey into the world of acting was not without its challenges. His early years in Afghanistan were marked by perseverance and a commitment to authenticity, as he gained recognition through compelling performances in local theater and film productions. These roles allowed him to bring to life the diverse and intricate characters that populate Afghan folklore and contemporary struggles, showcasing his profound understanding of human nature. Mustafa received his BA in Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Kabul University in 2007. While living in Afghanistan, Mustafa continued to hone his craft, by attending acting workshops and performing in acclaimed stage productions, including the Dari adaptation of William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, Soeurs, and I am Not the Second Gender in Kabul. His talent and dedication soon led him to seek opportunities beyond Afghanistan. His career took a significant turn when he began working as an Afghan casting associate for The Kite Runner (2007), where he also made his on-screen debut in the movie in China. As he moved to the United States in 2008 and transitioned to the American entertainment industry, his dedication to his craft earned him roles in some of the most respected productions in American television and film.

Mustafa Haidari's story is one of perseverance, talent, and a deep love for the craft of acting. He embodies the American ideals of hard work and determination, while also celebrating the diverse voices that make up the fabric of this nation. Through his work, Mustafa not only entertains but also serves as a bridge between cultures, bringing the stories of his homeland to the global stage and highlighting the shared human experience.

Salar Pashtoonyar is a filmmaker hailing from Afghanistan.

With a portfolio of compelling shorts, he has garnered international recognition, having his films screened at renowned festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand International, and Telluride Film Festival and featured on CBC Canada and Canal +. His short film, "Bad Omen," received recognition at the Canadian Screen Awards 2021 as a nominee for Best Canadian Short. It also won the esteemed Student Oscar at the 2021 Academy Gold.

Hashmat Khan was born in Afghanistan. He is known for Bandh Darwaza (1990), Sach (1989) and Krishan Avtaar (1993).