“I’m not stupid but I’ve become more careful after Project Ghazi”

Sheheryar Munawar is one film old because his second, Project Ghazi, was shelved somewhere between its premiere and official launch. He may be one film old but he’s a highly coveted actor and is going places with two upcoming films, Saat Din Mohabbat In and Paray Hut Love (both with Mahira Khan), releasing in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Then why, one wonders, did he opt for the complication of being a producer?

Sheheryar co-produced Ho Mann Jahan with Asim Raza and is now spearheading Asim’s The Vision Factory. He spoke about his decision with Ahmad Sarym in an Instep interview.

“If there are good acting assignments that come my way, I will take them up,” he summed it up. “What are the good films that have come out lately? Punjab Nahi Jaungi is Humayun (Saeed)’s production and he works for himself. Nabeel Qureshi’s stuck to Fahad (Mustafa). So apart from that, there’s nothing groundbreaking being made, it’s not that I’ve given up something remarkable that I was offered. Even for television, honestly, I haven’t gotten a script that’s appealed to me in ages. I’m just not getting interesting things to do (laughs). I’m not stupid, but I’ve become more careful after Project Ghazi and I feel when one does come on-screen, it needs to be worthwhile.”

“I’m just not getting interesting things to do. I’m not stupid, but I’ve become more careful after Project Ghazi and I feel when one does come on-screen, it needs to be worthwhile.”

Many actors feel the need to get into production because big banner films are stuck to actors/stars like Humayun Saeed and Fahad Mustafa, who have raked in box office success. Will Fawad Khan and Ali Zafar put up tough competition with their films this year and also, will Sheheryar Munawar manage to fight it out as his 2018 film, Saat Din Mohabbat In goes up against Parwaaz Hai Junoon? It’ll be interesting to see.