Shaan Shahid calls for original storytelling in Pakistani cinema
Home Actor urges filmmakers to move beyond formulaic cinema, saying industry must develop its own cultural identity Shaan Shahid has called for a fundamental shift in how Pakistani cinema defines itself, arguing that the industry must stop recycling familiar formulas and instead invest in original, locally grounded storytelling. Speaking during a joint interview with Meera, he said the industry cannot continue imitating external models or relying on predictable romantic comedies. “Invest in talent, not in building property or chasing safer business ventures,” he said, stressing that filmmakers must take creative risks if the industry is to grow. He added that Pakistani cinema needs to develop its own cultural voice. “We cannot keep recycling romantic comedies or presenting ourselves as a budget imitation of Bollywood. The industry needs its own content, its own identity, told in the context of modern Pakistan,” he noted.
Published: June 11, 2026 2:03 pm
Source: The Express Tribune — Read original