Pakistani Actor Builds Screen Career in China, Sees Opportunity for Co-Productions

Pakistani actor Anees Qadir has built a successful career in Chinese film and television, appearing in over 14 projects since 2022. He discusses opportunities for foreign actors and hopes to collaborate on a blockbuster movie about Pakistan-China friendship.

Since 2022, Pakistani actor Anees Qadir has been marking Chinese lines with Pinyin before heading to another shoot. Four years later, he his proficiency in reading scripts has significantly improved, allowing him to appear in 14 film and television projects across China. His journey began when he came to China as an international student to study nautical engineering in Xi'an.

Initially, acting was not part of Anees's original plan but gradually became a path into Chinese television and film. "My Chinese has improved a lot," he said in a recent interview. "Now I can read lines more easily and memorize them, which has helped me get better roles." Since his first interview with China Economic Net in 2022, Anees has appeared in eight TV dramas and six films in China, including projects broadcast on China Central Television or released on platforms like iQIYI.

His screen credits include the TV drama "Nanyang Daughter's Love," the historical drama "Ask the Vast," the TV drama "Dream City," and the Hong Kong action film "A Mission in Danger." Anees particularly enjoyed portraying M.N. Roy in "Ask the Vast," a realistic character from history that he found enjoyable to play.

Reflecting on opportunities for foreign actors, Anees emphasized the importance of professionalism, dedication, and staying committed to China's industry. He noted, "Sometimes you may not have work for six months or even a year, but you need passion and acceptance of this reality." Despite the challenges, Anees remains hopeful about future collaborations.

Anees expressed his desire to push forward a film project about Pakistan-China cooperation around the Karakoram Highway, which he mentioned during the 2022 interview. "We wrote the script according to that time, but now circumstances are different," he said. As China and Pakistan celebrate their 75th year of diplomatic relations, Anees hopes screen cooperation can move beyond individual appearances to larger co-productions.

"I want both countries to collaborate and make one blockbuster movie related to Pakistan-China friendship, history, and culture," he stated. His vision for a joint production underscores the potential for deeper cultural exchange through cinematic storytelling.