It was my decision to drop out of Arth 2: Humayun Saeed

Shaan Shahid had some harsh words for Humayun Saeed at the Arth 2 press conference held in Lahore yesterday. Arth 2 will be Shaan's remake of the Mahesh Bhatt classic, Arth.

Also read: Shaan's Arth 2 finally hits the floors

He said Humayun was "only involved...because [the film's previous backer] ARY was pushing for him". Humayun's character in Arth 2 is now being played by Mohib Mirza, whom he had originally wanted for the role, Shaan added.

However, Humayun paints a slightly different picture of his departure from the film.

Referring to Shaan's now viral statement as "a publicity stunt", Humayun says that leaving the Arth 2 project was entirely his decision.

"They're unhappy with my decision to drop out of Arth 2. I'm working on several other projects which I couldn't abandon just because they suddenly decided to finally commence the Arth 2 shoot," he said to Images.

"I'm flying to Romania today for a film's recce with Nadeem Baig and Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. And I'm also writing JPNA 2 and working on another untitled film. I have to produce and act in these projects, so taking out 2-3 months for Arth would mean that my own projects would suffer."

"I don't want to get involved in the situation," he added, referring to the mud-slinging at yesterday's presser.

"It doesn't suit me to give an ulta seedha answer. Shaan is like my older brother, so whatever he says must be right. And Mohib is like my younger brother, and I think the role suits him better. I wish them all the best."

Elaborating further about his future projects, he shared that he has also dropped out of the Mahesh Bhatt's Punjabi flick Dushman for the same reason. He said he is trying to get another Pakistani actor to act in the film instead and named Mikaal Zulfiqar as a possible replacement.