PESHAWAR, May 31: Celebrated Pashto singer Rahim Shah will play a lead role in an upcoming Pashto film.

“I am indebted to people for the love and praise they had in their hearts for me. The new film, the name and story of which is yet to be finalised, will depict the true Pakhtun culture,” Mr Shah said while speaking to journalists at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday.

Flanked by director Abid Naseem, the singer said that several people related to showbiz industry had left the country due to militancy, but he would remain here to provide the much-needed entertainment to Pakhtun population.

The reputed crooner said that he was appalled by the standard of Pashto films and had therefore decided to make movies and restore the past glory of Pashto films.

He also blamed the telefilms for making mess of the situation and straying the youths and demanded an end to this business. Mr Shah said he was a patriot and would stay in this country to serve its people.

“The films currently being made are in contravention of the Pakhtun culture. Our film will be according to the international technical standards and the people would see a marked difference and departure from the past stories.

He said that the government must come forward to help the dwindling film industry and encourage the talented lot to make quality films with best stories, direction and dialogues. He asked for making the censor board an effective body to put brakes on vulgarity and ensure provision of positive entertainment to the people.

Director Abid Naseem said that shooting of the film would take place in London, Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Pakistan and a true picture of Pakhtuns living around the globe would be showcased through the heavy budget project, which would be started after Eidul Azha.

“Rahim Shah, a moving spirit behind the promotion of Pashto music, will also help the film industry as thousands of his fans would eagerly want to see him in action,” Mr Naseem said.

He said that an Urdu version of the movie would also be produced for a wide circulation. He said that Pashto filmmakers were often slammed for putting old wines in new bottles with some vulgar songs that brought into disrepute the local culture. But this venture will be quite different, Mr Naseem said.