Shaan Shahid has called for a fundamental shift in Pakistani cinema, urging the industry to abandon recycled formulas and invest in original, locally rooted storytelling. In a joint interview with Meera, he stressed that filmmakers must take creative risks rather than chase safe commercial bets.
"We cannot keep recycling romantic comedies or presenting ourselves as a budget imitation of Bollywood. The industry needs its own content, its own identity, told in the context of modern Pakistan," he said. Meera echoed his views, citing her upcoming film Psychoas an example of bold, genre-defying storytelling closer to Hollywood standards.
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.”
When asked about casting the male lead, Shaan said he is considering a different actor this time, preferring to remain behind the camera. “I really enjoy being behind the camera. I feel I can define and shape a story much better if I don’t carry the full responsibility of acting on my shoulders.”
Meera said she is excited about collaborating again with Shaan on the project and is also working on Psycho 2.
The conversation then shifted to the challenges faced by artists in the industry and the way public perception often overshadows creative effort. Shaan noted that audiences tend to focus more on negativity than the work itself, particularly in the case of public figures.
