I urge the Indian community to support Indo-Pak friendship: Shaan Shahid

Actor opens up on why he chose 'Arth' for a Pakistani remake, his upcoming venture Zarrar and Pakistani film...

Shaan Shahid's upcoming venture Arth - The Destination is an adaptation from Mahesh Bhatt's 1982 classic film, Arth. While the Pakistani film industry veteran has always been quite adamant against working across the border, his decision to remake a Bollywood movie has naturally sparked irk amongst some.

In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Shaan opened up on why he chose Arth for a Pakistani remake, his other venture Zarrar, the Pakistani film industry as a whole and much more.



Talking about celebrating Pakistani cinema on the world stage, the Waar star asserted, "Well, I love it! Pakistan gives me a platform and an opportunity while the people gave me this love and respect because I've served them with my art for so long. It is the least entertained nation in the world. I believe it needs more entertainment."



The host, Waqas Saeed, who also has his roots back in Pakistan added, "It does need more entertainment since we haven't really won the World Cup since 1992! We do need to be entertained as a nation."

Shaan is more than often labelled as a true ambassador for Pakistani cinema. So, how does he view the resurgence of Lollywood?

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"This is what we've been dreaming about all our lives... that one day. we will take our films to the world maps. I think we have great markets looking up. So, definitely, it's a dream come true," he responded. "Pakistani cinema isn't inspired by Hollywood or Bollywood. Obviously, it has the DNA of the same area, but it's got it's own flavour."

So, what made Shaan opt for Mahesh's 1982 hit?



"First of all, it was the business proposition for me. India and Pakistan do a lot of trade. So, why not give cultural trade a chance?" said the 021 actor. "We give space to Indian films. So I think intellectual elites from both sides should bridge this gap between the countries. If there are people working for war, then there should be people working for peace as well," stated Shaan.

PHOTO: SHAAN SHAHID/INSTAGRAM

"I would urge the Indian community to come and support the cause of Pakistani and Indian friendship. So, show your heart out and come and watch Arth. It's an Indian-Pakistani movie. It's been quite some time since we've been united."

Talking about how the original Arth director has been singing praises for its Pakistani rendition, Shaan said he feels honoured. "The kind words coming from Mahesh Ji were amazing. He was kind enough. When I offered him money for the rights of the film, he refused saying, 'I want this movie to be the first Pakistani and Indian collaboration. If you're making it Shaan, then I'm not going to charge you anything'," revealed the actor.



Shaan's father, Riaz was a great writer and director. He wrote movies such as Zarqa, Ye Aman, Badnaam and Firangi. When asked if the actor might be inclined to remake one of his father's movies, the Khuda Kay Liye star said, "I would love to but honesty is not the best policy these days."

Does he feel inspired by his father? "I am inspired, I'm in awe. I want to make a film on Zarqa that's based on the Palestinian movement. But I think people are not ready to hear the truth and there's no end to it. So, I have to make what people want to see," Shaan shared.

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So, why should we go and watch Arth - The Destination? "Well, it's my comeback after four or five years. And it's not an action movie. I've been labelled as an action hero but I started out as a romantic hero," Shaan said. "So, I think it's high time I do a romantic film. Arth is a lot of fun to watch and there are a lot of messages in it," said the actor who will be sharing the screen with Humaima Malick, Mohib Mirza and Uzma Hassan in the movie.

And finally, the big question: What does 2018 hold for Shaan?



"Watch out for my next project Zarrar. It's coming out in the first four months of next year and an action packed movie. Zarrar is our take on James Bond. It's a new genre for Pakistan," he revealed. "It has been shot in Afghanistan, London, Turkey, Lahore and Karachi. The movie is a mixture of a lot of elements."

As a final message to his fans, Shaan asked his fans to think as human beings, rather than people of two separate nations.

Arth - The Destination comes out on December 21.

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