With the much-anticipated Mahira-starrer Bin Roye slated for release this year on Eid, filmmaker and actor Humayun Saeed says his film will resonate well with the audience.

“Bin Roye is a romantic drama. But it will not just be a film; it will also be turned into a serial to be aired on Hum TV with the same cast,” Humayun Saeed said, while speaking to Dawn.

Boasting Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Zeba Bakhtiar and Javed Sheikh in lead roles, Bin Roye is based on the famous novel “Bin Roye Aansoo” by writer Farhat Ishtiaq of Humsafar fame.

“Farhat Ishtiaq is a great writer and Humsafar did really well, but Bin Roye’s story is much more mature.”

The famed actor said he could not predict the success of the drama but was hopeful that it will be well-received. “We’ve all worked really hard and hope the audience will enjoy and appreciate it,” he said.

'Malick' not based on Malik Riaz: Saeed

Dismissing reports that upcoming 'Malick' is based on business tycoon Malik Riaz, Saeed said, “Malik is not based on Malik Riaz, nor does it bear resemblance to any prominent personality. The film is still in the works and the title and script are likely to change."

He added: "The video released earlier was not a teaser, let alone a promo.“Malik is about a man’s struggles to become a business tycoon.”

The actor confirmed that Urwa Hocane, who was last seen in Namaloom Afraad, will be his female co-star in the film.

Jawaani Phir Nahin Aani to hit screens on Eidul Azha

His own project Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani — a comedy-drama — is scheduled to hit the screens on Eidul Azha.

Confirming the film’s release date, the actor said that they had already completed 30 per cent of the film and would finish the rest by the end of March.

Upcoming projects

Reflecting on the dramas which marked his entry into the world of entertainment, Saeed said that he has his own production company which is responsible for making serials.

“There are also so many channels that it is hard to keep a track of all of them,” he said.

He recalls that Jackson Heights and Chup Raho are currently being aired on Urdu1 and ARY respectively.

“As for this year, I can think of four dramas that would be aired after Eid. One is Mere Paas Tum Ho from ARY — I will be acting in this one after a gap of around three years. Then there is Alvida and Gul-e-Raana on Hum TV, Takkabur on A-Plus and Ek Pal on Hum Zindagi. Ek Pal will be directed by renowned actor and director Marina Khan.”

Aired on ARY, Chup Raho has stirred debates on social media platforms due to its controversial theme and storyline. While some feel that the drama is crossing “boundaries” to get ratings, there are others who are of the view that pressing issues like sexual harassment by a close family member need to be brought before the audience.

The actor is unfazed about such discussions and considers them irrelevant.

“I got to know about these debates, especially the bashing on how the content has been presented. We try to portray these issues as sensitively as we can. The idea behind airing such content is not to promote immorality or garner ratings; rather it is to raise awareness. "If God forbid, such an incident happens in someone’s life, then instead of silencing the victim, the family should support him/her. This is why dramas are made from a social angle in order to bring a change in people’s mindsets."

Doing repetitive films can be very insipid: Saeed

Having a reputation for taking the unconventional approach when it comes to work, Saeed feels that doing repetitive films can be very insipid and follows this approach not only when it comes to acting but also in producing his works.

“My work is not restricted to one genre. I have done a sports film and now I am making a comedy one. I am also acting in a romantic film and in future I would like to make an action movie — in short, I want to try different things. Last year we made Pyarey Afzal, a drama that shifted from a female-oriented story to a male-oriented one — and that did really well. Experimental work should always be promoted," says the actor.

"There are many out there who do not want to shift from formulaic storylines because of ratings. And I will not say that it is untrue — stories that show females in suppressed roles get high ratings — larki ko pitaye jao formula does work. However it does not mean that diverse plots would sink the drama. It’s risky, no arguments on that but risks must be taken," he opines.

Saeed also expressed hope that Hasan Rana's Yalghaar in which he would be playing alongside Shaan and Adnan Siddiqui would see its release after December 2015.