Always put Pakistan film industry before my own career: Shaan

Shaan urges country's 'intellectual elite' to support local cinema and build industry to Hollywood standards

Actor, director Shaan Shahid -- who is known for his die-hard patriotism -- has finally spoken about tensions surrounding the exchange of talent and art between India and Pakistan.

The veteran actor took to social media in an apparent bid to rejuvenate morale in the country's film industry at a time when Indian films have been banned in Pakistan.

Shaan, who has previously had public spats with other Pakistani artists over working in Bollywood, said he has always put Pakistan before his own career, while emphasisisng how important it is for the country's 'intellectual elite' to support local cinema.



Shaan opened his post saying, "It's a proud moment for Pakistani films and I'm honoured to be a part of them. I'm honoured to have so many fans who have loved my work and allowed me to entertain them for 25 years. With the respect and love they have always given me comes a price, the price of responsibilities, my responsibility as a Pakistani film actor."

"For me the only option ever was to bring Pakistani films out of its boundaries and show the world what immense talent and scripts we have in Pakistan so I always kept my focus on building Pakistani film industry rather than building my own career," he added.

He went on to add: "And trust me I'm not trying to target anybody but I seriously don't expect any to follow me but don't stop me from walking on the path I have chosen we have differences with each other that is not letting us create our strength as a Pakistani brand but we can still unite on an 8 letter word - Pakistan."

Zarrar & Arth finally reach their destination pinewood studios uk pic.twitter.com/BuIh9EnvG1

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) October 7, 2016

He urged the industry to come together and said, "The film industry needs all of us right now together working to build so the future generations don't have to. They would be sitting on thrones of stardom. Young directors, actors, writers, technicians don't have to go look for work anywhere they would be able to dream and achieve. They don't have to go through the building process."

Shaan ended his post with the following appeal: "We need all the help we can get especially from our stars as you need stars to form a galaxy."

Check out the full post here:

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.