Many from Peshawar starred in our film industry and Lahore too was the hub of films before the Partition.
I've been offered roles in Indian films, but I wanted my debut film to be from Pakistan. A lot of people think that I've made my music career from India, but that's not true. I made it big in Pakistan, and then I went across the border.
The lack of 'quality' films in Pakistan was one of the reasons why I stayed away.
I honestly didn't know how well Bin Roye would fare with audiences. I couldn't be indifferent while watching it. I kept seeing tiny nuances that I could have changed with my role.
I want to be able to bring out stories like 'Verna,' as well as stories which are of the modern and new generation like 'Ho Mann Jahaan,' which is a film I did of the youth of Pakistan.
After I was cast in the acclaimed film 'Khuda Ke Liye,' I thought it would open up film avenues for me in Pakistan and, maybe, even internationally. When that didn't happen, I decided to use TV as a means of polishing my craft.
I've given 'Bin Roye' everything, and I'm hoping that people enjoy something different coming from Pakistani cinema.
Yes, TV is the dominant medium in Pakistan, but it was a conscious decision to have an Indian film as my first release. Being launched in an Indian film with a great script, character, and music is half the battle won. The rest is destiny.
