KARACHI, April 25: Veteran Pakistani actor Shaan Shahid has sparked discussion in the entertainment industry after stating that leading actors Fahad Mustafa and Humayun Saeed prefer to remain within their “comfort zones” instead of challenging their craft.
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Speaking on the television show Rise & Shine, Shahid said both actors are successful in their respective domains but tend to “live in their own world,” adding that the industry needs more creative risk-taking and artistic evolution.
The Bullah star said the Pakistani film industry has seen rising budgets but limited creative growth. According to him, cinema has increasingly become a “game of numbers” rather than artistic expression. He argued that meaningful filmmaking depends more on ideas and storytelling than on financial scale.
Shahid cited his own recent project Bullah as an example, claiming it was made on a relatively modest budget yet achieved strong commercial returns. He stressed that “real substance in film comes from the mind, not the money.”
Criticism of Industry Structure
The actor also expressed concern over structural divisions within the entertainment industry, particularly between Karachi and Lahore, saying that creative collaboration is often restricted by informal “territories” controlled by industry figures.
He said such divisions prevent collaboration among artists from different regions and limit the growth of Pakistani cinema. Shahid called for greater openness in the movement of talent and opportunities across the country.
Social Media and Changing Standards
Shahid further criticised the impact of social media on artistic standards, arguing that success is increasingly measured in likes and online visibility rather than talent or craft.
He said the rise of digital platforms has allowed untrained individuals to enter fields such as singing and comedy without proper artistic grounding, leading to a decline in content quality.
Comments on Journalism and Meera Interview
During the programme, Shahid also spoke about his upcoming project Psycho and his collaboration with actress Meera. He said he values working with artists who are committed to improving their craft.
Referring to a recent controversial interview involving Meera, Shahid criticised the tone of questioning, saying it made him “lose faith in intellectualism and journalism.” He stressed the importance of ethical boundaries in entertainment interviews and said personal attacks are unacceptable.
Views on Film Industry Economics
Shahid also criticised rising production costs in Pakistani cinema, arguing that inflated budgets discourage new filmmakers from entering the industry. He said the success of recent films should encourage expansion and innovation, but that this is not happening at the desired level.
Comments on Cross-Border Work
Addressing the long-standing debate on collaboration with Indian cinema, Shahid said he never supported the idea of relying on Bollywood for revival of Pakistani entertainment. He claimed that Pakistani actors are often treated unfairly in cross-border projects and later sidelined.
However, he clarified that his opinion is personal and said every artist should make their own career decisions freely.
Conclusion
Shahid concluded by reiterating that the industry needs to move beyond comfort zones, financial showmanship, and creative limitations, and instead focus on authentic storytelling and artistic integrity.
