In a candid conversation with a popular digital publication in Karachi, legendary actor Shahid Hamid expressed concern that government grants for filmmakers could be misused. The actor, who has been a part of numerous iconic films, emphasized that the government should ensure that the funds allocated to the film industry are utilized efficiently.
During the conversation, President’s Award-winning actor Mustafa Qureshi and Chairman of the Arts Council, Ahmed Shah, were also present. Shahid expressed his delight at Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz’s decision to allocate crores of rupees for the revival of the film industry. However, he cautioned that filmmakers should use the funds wisely to revive Pakistan’s film industry.
“It’s a big relief that the Chief Minister Punjab has allocated crores of rupees for the revival of the film industry. However, filmmakers who have received the funds should be aware that Pakistan’s film industry needs to be revived,” Shahid said. “We should not squander the funds like we did in the past. We should ensure that the funds are utilized efficiently.”
The actor also called for the government to recognize the film industry as a legitimate industry and engage with major stakeholders to revive it. He cited the example of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) established by the late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which led to the establishment of cinema halls and the production of quality films.
“Pakistan’s film industry was at its peak during Bhutto’s time. We should learn from the past and work together to revive the industry,” Shahid said.
The actor also spoke about his son, Kamran Shahid, who is a successful actor in his own right. “If my son is offered a crore, I am still recognized by two crores of people today. He is a sincere person and I am proud of his success.”
Mustafa Qureshi, who has been a close friend of Shahid’s for many years, also spoke about the actor’s dedication to his craft. “Shahid is a great friend of mine, and we have worked together on many films. He is a committed actor who always gives his best.”
The conversation also touched upon the recent controversy surrounding the song “Sarka Chunar Teri” from the film “The Devil,” which was criticized for its lyrics. The song’s singer, Neha Kakkar, apologized for her role in the controversy, while the film’s director, Prashant Singh, and producer, Bhushan Kumar, faced criticism for their handling of the situation.
In other news, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who has been a part of the film industry for over four decades, spoke about the challenges he faced when he first started his career. “When I entered the film industry in 1981, I was just a boy, and many people doubted my ability to become an actor. However, I proved them wrong with films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ and ‘Kashmir Files.'”
The conversation also touched upon the recent controversy surrounding Iranian actress Leila Hatami, who was criticized for holding hands with a Russian actor during a ceremony in Moscow. The Iranian government has since apologized for the incident.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi faced criticism for her performance in the film “KGF: Chapter 2,” which was accused of being too bold and provocative.
In sports news, Pakistani cricketer Saeed Ajmal spoke about the impact of the Iranian attacks on the country’s economy. “The Iranian attacks have affected the installations where 17% of our exports are produced,” he said.
In international news, Pakistani General (R) Abdul Qayyum spoke about the country’s role in mediating between Iran and the United States. “Pakistan is in a unique position to play a role in mediating between Iran and the US, as there is a lack of leadership in the Muslim world,” he said.
In other news, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with US President Joe Biden to discuss the ongoing tensions between the two countries. When asked why Japan was not informed about the US attack on Iran, Kishida replied, “We didn’t want to give too many signals, and we decided to act swiftly and decisively.”
