When Pakistani actors go to India and they’re praised there, their value increases: Alyy Khan

In a recent interview, Pakistani actor Alyy Khan shared insights into the contrasting work cultures of the entertainment industries in India and his home country, Pakistan. Having recently garnered praise for his performance in Netflix film The Archies, Alyy offered a candid commentary given his fame in both industries. 

Reflecting on the disparities he observed, Alyy stated, “I began my career in India, and whatever respect I earned in my career started from there. When I started working in Pakistan, I was already in a 'nearly famous' category. I didn't have to face some of the problems that Pakistani actors do.”

Alyy acknowledged the challenges faced by Pakistani actors, emphasising the importance of working abroad for success. He commented on the impact of international recognition, contending, "Pakistan’s public doesn’t support its own people very easily. When actors go to India and they’re praised there, suddenly their value increases."

Highlighting the differences in the film industries of both countries, Alyy discussed the misconception about budgets, stressing the significance of exposure. Drawing a comparison, he mentioned the film Bheja Fry, produced on a modest budget yet achieving remarkable success. He pointed out that despite high budgets in Pakistani commercial shoots, the work culture remains lacking in professionalism.

The celeb remarked, "In Pakistan, you go to a commercial shoot, the budgets are high. They want to shoot in magic light, and you arrive on set on time, but the way people work is still as dheela as it used to be. You can forget all about magic light. The actual work isn’t happening the way it should happen.”.

He attributed the lack of professionalism to the need for a more extensive pool of trained artists and suggested that until this happens, the industry will continue to face delays and inefficiencies. Alyy highlighted the common occurrence of shoots scheduled for 25 days extending to 50 days, often causing clashes with other projects due to delays.

Reflecting on his own experience working in India, Alyy revealed the challenges he faced flying back to Pakistan frequently and shooting solo due to the irregular schedules of Pakistani projects. The actor concluded by advocating for Pakistani artists to be given opportunities on the global stage, asserting that they possess exceptional talent that deserves recognition in industries worldwide.

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