Shaan Shahid calls for original storytelling in Pakistani cinema

Actor urges filmmakers to move beyond formulaic cinema, saying industry must develop its own cultural identity

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Screengrab of Meera(L) and Shaan Shahid(R)/Youtube

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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.

Meera echoed the sentiment, pointing to her upcoming work as an example of experimentation within local cinema. “People ask why we do not make films on topics like Hollywood, why we are not exploring different ideas. To them, the answer is my film Psycho, where Shaan has addressed a subject closer to Hollywood and a genre different from the usual,” she said.

She added that such projects represent an effort to broaden the scope of storytelling in Pakistan and push audiences towards new genres.

Building on this creative direction, Shaan revealed that a new film is currently in development titled English Minglish, with Meera in the lead role. He has written the script, screenplay, and is directing the project himself.

“The pipeline ahead features a comedy film, and its name is English Minglish,” he said. “It stars Meera, and her character’s task in the movie is that she has to learn English in three months.”

When asked about casting the male lead, Shaan said he is considering a different actor this time, preferring to remain behind the camera. “I really enjoy being behind the camera. I feel I can define and shape a story much better if I don’t carry the full responsibility of acting on my shoulders.”

Meera said she is excited about collaborating again with Shaan on the project and is also working on Psycho 2.

The conversation then shifted to the challenges faced by artists in the industry and the way public perception often overshadows creative effort. Shaan noted that audiences tend to focus more on negativity than the work itself, particularly in the case of public figures.

Reflecting on Meera’s journey, he said her return to films came at a difficult time. “When Meera decided she wanted to do a film again, I felt here is an actress, a woman, struggling to define herself and find her domain. My effort is to develop an ecosystem of scripts around her,” he said.

He also urged audiences not to obstruct women trying to rebuild their careers, but to support their creative reinvention.

When asked what they value most about each other, Meera spoke with visible emotion. “The best thing about Shaan ji is that he is Shaan, and he is with me. I trust him, and I rely on him; I don’t trust anyone else besides him,” she said. “No one really understands me, but Shaan sahib understands me.”

She added that trusting him again has been an important step in her personal journey.

Shaan, in turn, praised her resilience and determination, saying she continues to move forward despite scrutiny and setbacks. He described her strength in simple terms, saying it is something he deeply respects.