If you want to run Pakistani cinemas, then you have to show Indian films: Faisal Qureshi

Veteran actor sat down for a candid interview on film industry and upcoming projects

As Pakistani cinema continues to expand its range of commercial and arthouse offerings, veteran actors double as specialists in offering a profound commentary on this journey. Speaking with Independent Urdu, television A-lister Faisal Qureshi reflected on the silver screen by delving into his return to the big screen with upcoming horror film Deemak.

Remarking on his choice to do Deemak, Faisal put his two cents on horror cinema. “The horror genre is a different genre and it hasn’t been worked on a lot in Pakistan yet, I think,” the actor stated. “Whatever work is out there is scant in recent times. There were some serious films way back in the day like Bara Baje and Zinda Laash.”

Talking specifically about his current project, he shared that the engaging script enlisted him at first reading. “One thing that connects you with the screen is the engagement of the screenplay,” the actor said. “So that was very good. When I was visualising it, I was enjoying it. And I was saying the same thing to Rafay. And the other fun thing is that it's not a 3-hour movie. We are very hopeful that we wrap the film in 90 minutes or 120 minutes.”

Faisal also discussed his other cinematic endeavour, Mango Jatt, his first Punjabi film slated for release this year. “So, the best thing I found in that film when reading the script was that there are very small issues which were discussed very well by Abu Aleeha,” he shared. As per Faisal, these issues will especially resonate with people across ages.

Hailing the promise of a good Punjabi film to deliver fun entertainment, the celeb stressed the centrality of human relations to a plot. “Even if we see Spider-Man or any Marvel series or DC in today's times, then somehow, there is a certain conversation on relations,” he maintained. In response to a query about his recent affinity for essaying villains on television, with dramas Shikaar and Zulm currently on-air, Faisal shared an anecdote.

“Sometimes some characters haunt you. When I was doing Zulm, I read 10 episodes and afterward, I requested Mr. Ilyas Kashmiri, the director of the serial, I told him not to give his character a positive turn,” he explained how he resisted a redemption arc for his character. “I told him that we should show that he is a bad person.”

He furthered on, “If you look at both my characters, we see people around us who can't be harmed by us. So, how do we fight them in today's times? And Zulm was actually inspired by a video that went viral a long time ago. I won't tell you about that video, people will know when they see it.”

Offering his take on what interventions should be made primarily to take Pakistani film industry to global reach, Faisal said, “One of the most important things is cinemas, which are at the brink of extinction in Pakistan. We laugh when we get cinema accounts [box office numbers] for Indian film releases, we can't even imagine that in Pakistan.”

“Film is not all about dance, singing, dancing. Through films, we can do a lot. We can provide a lot of education to people,” he added. Faisal also amplified the issue of inflation turning cinema tickets unaffordable for the larger public, contending how a daily wage earner cannot watch films in Pakistan.

While the subject of showing Indian films in Pakistani cinemas frequently prompts controversy, the Bashar Momin actor has a nuanced approach to the matter. “Being a Pakistani, I am very patriotic, but I know that if you want Pakistani cinema to remain functional, then you have to show Indian films.” Calling his reasoning utilitarian, Faisal insisted, “I know that the people of Pakistan want to watch Indian films, and you cannot impose your will on them.”

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