Babar Ali justifies Shaan, Moammar's acting hiatus

Veteran actor reflects on generational differences

In an interview with Ahmad Ali Butt on Sunday, veteran actor Babar Ali shared his insights on why we don't see local veteran stars on the big screen anymore – and according to him, it is not because the stars hold a grudge against the younger generation of entertainers.

"I don't believe that they can't accept new faces in the field. They are wonderful actors, Shaan and Moammar and all the others," Babar said. "They've proven their influence by how they rocked the box office."

Babar, who had freshly entered the industry when his mentioned seniors were at the top of their game, further said, "I'm still working, yes. But if they're not doing so for whatever reason, that's their personal decision. They might not be comfortable doing the kind of roles that I prefer doing now."

Babar believes that this criticism is rooted in double standards. "We tend to blame our own people more. I mean, just look at the neighbouring industry. Actors like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are much older than my peers, yet they're still starring in films opposite young actresses," he said.

The Jeeva actor feels that it is his peers' right to reject roles that don't satisfy their expectations. "I personally don't mind taking up fatherly roles. But if they don't want the same, that's their right. Maybe in the future, they might change their decision. They know how to act and they can do justice to the roles they choose. But right now, this is what they want instead," he said.

Comparing the ages of Pakistan's veteran stars with those of the Khans of India, he joked, "They (Pakistani actors) are not even sixty yet. They're still young in comparison. I think we should give them a chance until they are seventy."

Despite defending his peers and the craft, Babar doesn't believe that he has friends in the industry. "There are no friends here, from my point of view. On set, I'm friendly with everyone. Off set, not really," he revealed.

However, the 52-year-old actor has immense respect for everyone he has interacted with in the industry, be it old actors or new. "The slot that's working these days is very talented, and they are confident in their skills for all the right reasons," he said.

"In contrast, old actors had their techniques, which they didn't alter with changing times, though they should've done so," he added. "Their work was well-suited to the olden days, though I feel that they should've modernised it a bit."