Naveed Raza's first film was never released

In an interview with Imran Ashraf, Naveed Raza revealed that he worked on a Syed Noor film that never saw the light. He began by sharing that he once participated in a Lahore talent show, which he ended up winning. "My winning prize was starring in a Syed Noor movie. It was called Price of Honour, but it never got released."

He added that the film had long wrapped up production. "It was properly shot for 30 days, non-stop. I went to Shabab Studios daily. When I wasn't acting, I'd be behind the camera," he said.

The Teri Behisi actor also mentioned that around the same time, he assisted the production of another one of Noor's films. "It was called Jugni, if anyone remembers it. It had Moammar Rana and Shaan."

Dialing back to his own forgotten project, Naveed said, "The funny thing is, I went to Karachi and started believing I was a star. I had done a film by Noor sahab, so I expected my phone would be ringing constantly. I left my job in the Health Ministry because I believed my career was about to launch."

However, the Chalawa actor didn't hear back for six months. "Nobody seemed to remember the film was ever in production. I kept wondering, 'So many A-listers came to the show. Everyone saw it happen. Why is this happening now?'"

Naveed recalled calling up the filmmaker, only to be reassured that the film was coming soon, though that never happened. He recalled giving up two months in, as his hopes of achieving his dreams began to wane.

Admitting that the disappointment drove him to tears and sleepless nights, he said, "I was so sure that I would support my father through his retirement."

Eventually, Naveed took charge of his life again and, down the line, met up with Humayun Saeed, who offered him his first drama serial, Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain. "Humayun said, 'You're going to do my drama.' And that was all that needed to be said."