Saood Qasmi Blames Shaan Shahid and Syed Noor for the Downfall of Pakistan’s Film Industry

In a recent podcast with Ahmed Butt, renowned Pakistani actor Saood Qasmi openly discussed the decline of Pakistan’s film industry, placing blame on actor Shaan Shahid and director Syed Noor. The actor, who has been a significant part of the industry, shared his perspective on how certain decisions and actions led to the downfall of the once-thriving film sector.

Saood revealed that he, along with fellow actors Shaan Shahid and Omar Rana, had decided not to work in films that did not represent the true culture of Punjab. He explained that the real essence of Punjab is not about gun battles and fight scenes, which were frequently portrayed in the films of that time. He emphasized that the culture was being misrepresented, and they chose to stay away from projects that didn’t align with their values.

However, despite their shared decision, Saood mentioned that Shaan and Omar Rana went ahead and signed films that he had rejected. This led to a collective boycott of Saood by the producers. Reflecting on the impact of this, he said, “These same people will be the ones who will lock the doors of the industry,” which eventually led him to leave the film scene, move to Karachi, and focus on his personal life, including getting married.

Saood didn’t mince his words when discussing Shaan Shahid and Syed Noor, accusing them of causing significant damage to the industry. He believed that had they taken a more progressive approach, the Pakistani film industry could have been much more successful, similar to how Bollywood thrives in India. He pointed out that previous actors and filmmakers were more concerned with their personal business interests rather than the growth of the industry, unlike Bollywood, which has always prioritized the overall development of cinema.

Saood also acknowledged the golden era of actor Sultan Rahi, but added that with the changing times, the industry needed to adapt to new trends. He admitted that the decline of the industry was a collective responsibility, with everyone involved to some extent in its downfall.

Talking about Shaan Shahid, Saood mentioned that while he is a talented actor, Shaan often criticizes others, which, according to him, is a flaw. He suggested that if Shaan could stop this tendency, he would become a much better individual and actor.

This candid discussion sheds light on the complex dynamics of Pakistan’s film industry and provides insight into the challenges faced by those who were once a part of its golden age.