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We're going to fix Pakistan's image through films and art, says Ahad Raza Mir

We're going to fix Pakistan's image through films and art, says Ahad Raza Mir

The actor dishes on his debut flick, Parwaaz Hai Junoon, what makes it unique and yep, his equation with Sajal Aly
08 Aug, 2018

Ahad Raza MIr has entered the Pakistani industry with a bang, with a few memorable projects such as Yakeen Ka Safar and Sammi.

But what's keeping everyone intrigued these days is his equation with YKS co-star, Sajal Aly.

While promoting his upcoming film, Parwaaz Hai Junoon, the 24-year-old actor was questioned on a radio show by Fifi Haroon about these relationship rumours and he's only added fuel to the fire.

"We support each other a lot. I think like she's a very unique woman. We both work in the same way; when I'm on set with her, it feels like I'm with a friend but also that I'm working with someone who's very passionate about what she's doing. I'm a big fan of hers as is my mother so she's very close with my family now. I really respect her and I understand her, I think" shared Raza Mir.

The entire interview couldn't be about Sajal though so Ahad was also asked about why he chose PHJ as his debut flick.

"There was a sense of national pride with doing a film about the Air Force. The reason PHJ is different is that it's very story-driven; when usually you make movies about armed forces, there's a lot of focus on action, which is fine but I think it's the first time a movie's been made about the armed forces which also has comedy and romance and it attempts to unpack the psyche of the personnel in these forces."

"Hamza [Ali Abbasi] actually said once that we feel like these people are superheroes -- and they are. However, they're still human, they're got their own stories, journeys."

Ahad wrapped up the exchange with a little message he has for Pakistani youth living abroad: "I took a risk coming back from Canada and people liking my work makes it feel like it was worth it. That being said, I want the Pakistanis overseas (like Canadians, Americans, Britist) to watch this because I feel like we've had a bad rep for too long now and films and art is how we're going to change that. They can see how beautiful the country is, its people, our Air Force. We've made a film about a female pilot, they should know Pakistan is not what people have painted it out to be."

Listen to the full interview here.

Comments

Mustaq Aug 08, 2018 06:06pm
Atleast someone in Pakistan agrees that we have a serious image problem. Politicians are still living in denial
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Rex Aug 08, 2018 09:37pm
Brave statement, but doomed to fail. You can't "fix the image" without fixing the underlying issues. Fix Pakistan, the image will then fix itself.
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riz1 Aug 08, 2018 10:05pm
Hopefully the global image and perception about Pakistan that we have allowed to fester for so long thanks to our establishment overlords, can be changed via arts and films. A lot of overseas Pakistanis just yearn to hear one good news from our nation that is wreaked by countless articles of doom and gloom, not only by global media but by our local news agencies too. And unfortunately many of those are hard facts. Praying and hoping that it's not too late for course correction. Pakistan zindabad.
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Hamid Ali Aug 08, 2018 11:20pm
How about doing actual good so that the image gets fixed on its own. for instance cleaning up the place and improving law and order and getting rid of religious extremism.
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JA-Australia Aug 09, 2018 05:13am
Another suggestion: please lay off the patriotic or moralizing trip. Instead, make movies that are fun to watch for a young non-Pakistani couple on a date in China, US, Europe. People go to the movies to have fun, not to be sermonized. Follow Bollywood's example of '3 idiots', 'dangal', etc.
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Zak Aug 09, 2018 05:22am
He is absolutely right. Movies will give true image and it should be exported.
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Aravind Aug 09, 2018 07:00am
Take care of yourself. Better introduce self as Asian where ever possible. You have a bright future.
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Tariq, Lahore Aug 09, 2018 07:23pm
The American image was created by Hollywood and India's by Bollywood!
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Sincere Pakistani Aug 10, 2018 03:14pm
As per the trailer, this movie is everything except PAF. Item numbers, short dresses.. they were never a part of our culture and shouldn't be accepted anymore. I wonder how PAF allowed these celebs to share closeness in-front of aircrafts spoiling the dignity of uniform. FAIL!
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