KARACHI: Pakistani actor Imran Abbas, who announced his first cross-border Indo-Punjabi film this week, has said that it’s an intense “love story” that is likely to strengthen the bond between the Pakistani and the Indian Punjab.
Abbas, who is primarily recognized for his contributions to the Pakistani drama industry, made headlines after announcing the Punjabi film earlier this week.
He will play the lead role opposite Indian actor Simi Chahal in ‘Jee Ve Sohneya Jee,’ which will be directed by Kumar Arora and produced by US-based VH Entertainment and U & I Films.
The actor shared the poster of the upcoming film earlier this week on social media and announced this would be his debut in the Punjabi cinema.
“We have had a bonding with [Indian] Punjab. Our borders were also open for them. They have a soft corner for us. This film will definitely add more to it,” Abbas told Arab News this week.
“This is a completely new canvas [for me]. Punjabi cinema is taking off really well and making quality films.”
In addition to numerous Pakistani dramas, Abbas has previously worked in Bollywood films ‘Creature 3D,’ ‘Jaanisaar’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,’ alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
He informed that Jee Ve Sohneya Jee is a beautiful musical “love story.” It’s contemporary and incorporates traveling, and the viewers will get to see beautiful landscapes in the flick, he added.
The film will be shot in India, Europe and the UK, but Abbas does not have any shooting spell in India, according to the Pakistani actor. The female lead will be shooting in India.
“The story is not based in Pakistan. It’s based in Europe and UK. The rest of the cast is from India, none of them is from Pakistan,” he said.
“The project was in process since long. My producer and director were quite adamant on having me on board for the role. They thought I fit well to the character.”
Abbas is of the view that artists have always played a significant role in bringing people together despite tough times. He said there are people on both sides of the border who are “negative” about it, but artists should not encourage them and that art should be kept separate from it.
“For how long we will keep the hate alive? We have been listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s songs, while they [Indians] have been listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahib. Atif Aslam is an established name there [in India],” he said.
“I don’t want to do any film that is anti-India. I will never speak against any country or religion. Similarly, I don’t support Indian films that portray Pakistan in a bad light. We should be very careful about our role in this.”
Jee Ve Sohneya Jee is expected to release in India on October 6 this year.
