Shaz Khan talks 'The Martial Artist'

English-language Pakistani film releases in 2025

Shaz Khan has taken up the leading role in a film titled The Martial Artist, the details of which he shared during his appearance on Gup Shab with Vasay Chaudhry. Co-starring Sanam Saeed, the film follows the journey of a Pakistani-American MMA fighter who reconnects with his roots in order to defeat the obstacles weighing him down.

"The thought for this story came ten years ago from a short film I did about a boxer. So I extended that and incorporated a part of Pakistan into it," Shaz said. Teasing the plot, he added, "Since he's a martial artist, he wants to be the best in the world. That's his dream. But some stuff happens to him, which sends him on the wrong path, so he meets his Dada (paternal grandfather), who is played brilliantly by Faran Tahir."

Having scored over 1.5 million views on YouTube, the teaser for the film was released in September by Odysseus Entertainment. The film itself is aiming for an early 2025 release, slated for January 31. "We have made the film in English, though it is dubbed in Urdu. We want it to travel the world," Shaz said.

The Parwaaz Hai Junoon actor admitted to being influenced by films from the 1990s and 2000s, naming Gladiator and Braveheart as a few picks. However, he was determined to add a Pakistani touch to the narrative of The Martial Artist. "I wanted to show a character and locations that the West hasn't seen before. ... A character that inspires people," he hoped. "We've shot this in California, Las Vegas, at the ancient temples of Central America, and in Pakistan, we shot it in Lalazar."

Shaz worked through a hefty four-year-long routine to get in shape for the film, practising a vast variety of combat styles from different cultures to prepare for his character. During filming, he also sustained 25 major injuries, which speaks of his dedication to the role.

The Moor actor also discussed the diversity of the roles that he's offered, commenting on whether or not he likes to take them on voluntarily. "Of course, I enjoy them. I'm an actor. But that Barrister Daniyal—the lawyer (from Yaqeen Ka Safar)—was one of my favourite characters," he said. "I can safely say, even if I were to work in Hollywood my whole life, I wouldn't get a role like that. That's how good of a role that was. That's Pakistani quality. So, yes. I love them all."