Earlier, Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh recalled working with actor Emraan Hashmi in Jannat (2008) and revealed that Emraan was quite rude to him on set. Now, in a recent interview, Emraan has reacted to Javed’s claim, calling it bizarre.

Emraan, who celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday, revealed that while he doesn’t recall their first meeting because it happened so long ago, but remembers being on cordial terms with the senior actor.

He said, “It’s bizarre! I was in my 20s then, and he is not my age, so we were never friends. I didn’t hang out with him, but I don’t remember anything like what he is saying happening.”

He further added, “I don’t know what Javed sahab took back with him, but it is definitely something he has held on to for 16-17 years. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a giant comedy of errors that has snowballed into something I know nothing about,” he told with Indian Express in an interview.

Javed appeared in a Ramadan Transmission with Omer Shahzad and Arsala on Aaj Entertainment’s YouTube channel, where he spoke about Emraan’s rude behaviour towards him. He recalled, “Mahesh Bhatt was the producer and got a new director on board, Kunal, to direct the project. He explained the entire plot and everything to me when I signed the project, but I had not had an opportunity to meet Emraan Hashmi until then.”

The two finally met in South Africa at Newlands Cricket Stadium, where Javed recalled being taken aback by Emraan’s cold behaviour. “I tried to shake hands with him but noticed a very cold response from his side. He shook hands dismissively and even turned his face away, which really irked me. I thought, ‘Big stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan respect me so much, call me Javed Ji, and this young guy has this attitude. What does he think of himself?’ When he (Emraan) arrived, I did the rehearsal but didn’t bother to even look at him. In the days that followed, as we completed filming, I did not talk to him at all,” he added.

The Pakistan Film Producers Association chairman on Monday slammed the decision to lift the self-imposed ban on Indian movies, in place for around two months, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui's romcom Freaky Ali. Syed Noor described it as a “commercial move devoid of patriotism“, wondering who had imposed the ban and who'd lifted it.

Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association chairman Zoraiz Lashari said it's a unanimous decision made with the consent of exhibitors and film stakeholders. Buzz is, cinema owners across Pakistan have suffered losses of about Pakistani Rs 150 million and some 100 employees have lost their jobs since the ban on Indian movies.

Film director Shehzad Rafique supported the move, regretting that recent Pakistani movies, including his own Salute, did not elicit a good response. Filmmaker, actor and director Javed Sheikh argued that whichever film has potential - Indian or Pakistani - should get shows at cinemas. “I am working on my new film Wajood and I won't mind if a big banner Indian film is screened against mine,“ he reiterated.

Till a few years ago, acting didn't feature in her scheme of things and Bollywood was an unthinkable goal for Pakistani television actress Momal Sheikh. She was content being a producer in her father Javed Sheikh's company till the acting bug bit her. But once it did, she was caught in the whirlwind that swept her off her feet. In a conversation with Bombay Times, Momal, who makes her debut in Hindi cinema with the upcoming romantic comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi (HBJ), states why she isn't competing with Pakistani actors in Bollywood and how star kids face a tough time back home. Excerpts...

Your father has been doing Hindi movies for a while now. What took you so long to debut here?
It is all about destiny. The makers of HBJ were looking for a Pakistani actor who could play the character of Zoya with authenticity. My father suggested a few names and the makers did audition them, but kuch baat nahi bani. One day, director Mudassar Aziz found my pictures online. He got curious and inquired with my father. When I was approached for this film, I was doing television back home. Honestly, the script floored me. They wanted me to join the team at the earliest but I was in two minds. My husband, Nadir, helped me a lot during that time. He urged me to take up the role because he knew it is rare to get an infallible combination like this - a good script, great director and top filmmakers to back the movie. I'm glad I took it up because it was fun, positive and different. These are the kind of stories which are good for both countries.

Did you travel with your son, Ibrahim, when you were shooting in India?
No, I didn't bring him along as it would've divided my attention. My son was barely two months old then and I wouldn't have had the heart to leave him if it weren't for my husband's support. I had to keep going back after every schedule to be with my baby but everything went off smoothly.

Why did you turn down Welcome Back?
I was offered that film when I was pregnant. In fact, I had three Bollywood offers during that time and it was disheartening for me to say no to each of them. But I eventually got to do the movie which I liked the best. So, I have no regrets.

How different is the Pakistani film industry from Bollywood?
There is a huge difference in terms of quality. I have never done a Pakistani film before, but from what I can gauge Bollywood is relatively warmer and kinder. Here, people work like a family unit rather than professionals. After doing a Hindi film, I have matured as an actor.

Many Pakistani actors are doing Bollywood films these days. Do you this trend is going to catch up in the future?
Art is bringing the countries closer. The trend isn't really a recent one, but I feel happy that finally the right kind of artistes are coming from across the border. Fawad Khan is brilliant and I feel proud when people ask me about his Pakistani shows. People like him have put the spotlight on our country and have set the bar high for all of us. Pakistani actors feel the same pride for Bollywood that Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra feel for Hollywood. Working in Bollywood is looked upon as a big achievement in Pakistan.

Does seeing more familiar faces in India make you feel at home?
It does. Last time when I was here, Mahira (Khan), Mawra (Hocane) and I would catch up almost every day after work. Initially, I was nervous about the idea of working here. But I have got so much love and attention that the place started feeling like home soon. Even senior actors don't make you feel awkward. They ensure you have the confidence to perform well and help you enhance your scene.

What was your reaction when you heard about Qandeel Baloch's death?
If we all stand up against honour killings and protect our women, maybe fewer people will have the audacity of pulling off such things. Killing people for an unwarranted reason is brutal and inhuman.

Do you feel you are competing with Fawad, Mahira or Mawra?
I don't believe you can work with a sense of competition. Every actor is doing their best and trying to put Pakistan on the map. We all land projects based on our hard work and a little bit of luck. I am friends with Mahira, Mawra and Fawad. I can never be envious of Mahira just because she is working with Shah Rukh Khan. You can't compete and compare because that sucks the fun out of work.

Do you have any reservations about doing bold scenes in films?
I would never give my nod for sex scenes, bikini scenes or kissing scenes. If we can create good stories without any explicit content, why not do it.

MOMAL SHEIKH TALKS ABOUT STAR KIDS IN PAKISTAN
I am a self-made, strong woman. If my father wasn't an actor and I wanted to become one, I still would've done what I wanted to do. But the hassles and repercussions would have been far too many. In that sense, I count myself lucky. Is it a privilege to be born into a film family? Unfortunately, that's not how our industry works back home. In Bollywood, star kids are a unique lot but in Pakistan, they struggle like regular actors. Whatever my brother (Shehzad Sheikh) and I have accomplished in this field is due to our hard work. We had no help from anyone and it was really difficult for us to carve our own space. If star kids were as privileged in Pakistan as they are in India, all of us would be as famous as Fawad.