How Saima and Moammar's iconic pairing nearly fell apart

Syed Noor reveals casting dilemma in 'Choorian'

During an interview with Imran Ashraf, director Syed Noor spoke on his decision to cast a young Moammar Rana alongside Saima Noor, who's seven years his senior, in Choorian. The 1998 film is regarded as one of the most iconic films in the history of Pakistani cinema.

"Moammar's first film was Deewane Tere Pyar Ke. His second film that I offered to him was a Punjabi one, since I knew that he was from Lahore, and he agreed to take on it. Then he asked me who the heroine was, and I told him it was Saima." Noor reminisced. Moammar, however, raised an objection given the age difference between the two stars. But Noor was persistent.

He recalled that Moammar was merely a kid back then. Upon reaching home, the actor spoke to his father about the matter. His father, who Noor revealed to have close relations with, came along the next day and requested the director to pick another female lead. Noor politely declined, telling the two that Saima aligned the best with his vision, and that he had planned the narrative around her.

"If the decision wasn't going to suit him (Moammar), then fair enough. But Saima would've been part of the film, regardless," Noor maintained. "Anyway, that managed to convince Moammar, who began to consider that if his director is firm on a creative choice then there must be a reason behind it."

And the rest is history. Noor further recounted that after the film's completion, it was Moammar himself who willingly collaborated with Saima on other projects. Both the leads of Choorian retained their status as Pakistani filmstars of the late '90s to early aughts.

Moammar's initial reluctance to work with Saima is intriguing, especially considering she was still in her thirties when Choorian was released.

Interestingly, there's little controversy when it comes to casting younger female actors opposite significantly older male co-stars, a pairing that is often embraced globally within entertainment industries.

Ultimately, on-screen chemistry is what matters most, and it was this connection that helped make Choorian a massive hit. In another interview, Syed Noor confirmed that the film will soon receive a sequel, which will be shot abroad.