Shaan Shahid has urged the Pakistani film industry to move away from repetitive formulas and focus on creating original stories that reflect local culture and realities.

Appearing on Dunya TV programme ‘Mazaq Raat’ along with Meera, Shaan Shahid said the film industry should stop copying foreign trends.

“Invest in talent instead of property or safer businesses,” he said, adding that filmmakers need to take creative risks for the industry to grow.

He added that Pakistani cinema needs to develop its own cultural voice.

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.”

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

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,”

Pakistani actress Durefishan Saleem has initiated a thoughtful dialogue on women’s safety, societal conditioning, and the often-unseen struggles that women endure.

In a heartfelt social media post, she reflected on the everyday realities faced by women and urged society to examine the attitudes and behaviors that subtly perpetuate larger systemic issues.

Sharing glimpses from the Hollywood film Ladies First on Instagram, Durefishan accompanied the images with a deeply personal note that resonated with thousands of her followers. She revealed that the film left a profound impact on her—not for its cinematic excellence, but for the critical questions it posed about gender, freedom, and societal norms.

“Maybe it was the fever and bed rest for days. Maybe it was the exhaustion that comes from watching the news and realizing how little has changed. But something about it lingered,” she wrote.

Reflecting on the film’s central idea, Durefishan spoke about a world where gender roles are reversed and men experience the caution and fears that women often grow up with.

“What if, for just one day, men walked through a world designed by our fears instead of theirs? What if they heard the warnings we inherit before we learn independence? The calculations we make before a walk home. The caution stitched into our freedom,” she noted.

The actress clarified that her message was not rooted in resentment toward men but rather in a desire for self-reflection and accountability.

“I don’t hate men. I never have. But I have learned to be careful with the space I give them in my life,” she wrote, adding that harmful attitudes often begin in seemingly insignificant moments that society chooses to overlook.

Durefishan further emphasized that change begins by challenging the excuses and behaviors that are normalized from childhood.

“The problem isn’t only in the monsters we condemn. It is in the habits we excuse, the lessons we don’t teach, and the standards we quietly lower,” she stated.

Her thoughtful remarks struck a chord with social media users, many of whom praised her for addressing a sensitive issue with honesty and nuance.

The comments section quickly filled with appreciation, with one user writing, “Uff, the caption touched my heart.”

Another follower commented, “Dure’s captions are always on point.”

Read more: Durefishan Saleem Reflects on Emotional Hajj Journey

Sanam Saeed recently appeared on PTV, where she discussed representing Pakistan at the Cannes Film Festival, her acting journey, and navigating online criticism.

Reflecting on her Cannes debut, she shared that she attended the festival alongside designer Hussain Rehar with the aim of presenting Pakistan’s culture and traditional craftsmanship to an international audience. She also pointed out that many global luxury brands draw inspiration from regions like Pakistan without offering due recognition or credit.

She said their goal was to highlight Pakistani talent and show the world the contribution of South Asian women and artisans.

Sanam described Cannes as a demanding experience that required careful planning and strict schedules, from managing outfits to attending events and catching flights.

Addressing online trolling, she responded to comments about her appearance by saying she has a classic Pakistani face and does not take such criticism personally.

Reflecting on her career, Sanam spoke about her popular role as Kashaf in ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, saying the character remains relatable because it reflects real social and economic differences in society.

She also discussed her recent drama Kafeel, where she played a mother of four, and praised her young co-stars for their professionalism.

Speaking about ‘Mai Manto Nahi Hoon’, Sanam said she enjoyed playing the warm and friendly character of Miss Maria after years of intense roles.

She also shared her experience of working with Humayun Saeed and Sajal Ali for the first time.

The interview ended with Sanam emphasising the importance of meaningful storytelling and promoting Pakistani talent and culture on international platforms.

Read more: Sanam Saeed Urges Pakistani Artists to Build Their Own Identity