Pakistani screen icon Mahira Khan is making headlines not just for her upcoming film Love Guru, but also for her impassioned plea to the government: support the film industry, or risk stalling its potential.
Speaking at a recent press interaction with her co-star Humayun Saeed, Khan stressed that genuine development of the country’s entertainment sector requires more than talent—it needs state-sponsored initiatives.
Redirecting Creative Energy Toward Local Growth
Khan took a moment to reflect on the restrictions facing Pakistani artists abroad. In particular, she noted the reinforced ban on Pakistani talent in India, a market where she once shared the screen with Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. However, she redirected the narrative away from lament and toward opportunity.
“It’s time we focus our energy on what’s here,” she remarked. “We have talent. We have stories. But we need infrastructure—and that’s where the government comes in.”
Film as a Cultural and Economic Force
Her argument aligns with a broader belief that film, when supported, can be a cultural soft power and economic asset. Subsidies, tax breaks, and public-private partnerships are standard in film industries worldwide, and Khan insists that Pakistan should be no different.
Humayun Saeed noted that the wheels are slowly turning, but emphasized that occasional grants won’t be enough.
‘Love Guru’: A Film With Big Expectations
Produced by Salman Iqbal Films in collaboration with ARY Films and Six Sigma Plus, Love Guru features an ensemble cast and is directed by the veteran Nadeem Baig. The film also includes performances by Ramsha Khan, Ahmed Ali Butt, Sohai Ali Abro, and iconic names like Usman Peerzada and Annie Zaidi.
With its release slated for Eid-ul-Adha, the film is not just a test of cinematic entertainment—it’s a moment for the industry to showcase what can be achieved when creative vision is matched with the right support.
