Arshad Mehmood reflects on truth, youth and cultural roots

Veteran actor and composer Arshad Mehmood says real change in Pakistan begins with honesty, mentorship, and individual responsibility.

Veteran actor and composer Arshad Mehmood believes meaningful change in Pakistan begins not with political slogans but with honesty, mentorship for young people, and a return to the country’s cultural roots.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Mehmood expressed concern over the lack of opportunities available to Pakistan’s youth. Reflecting on his own entry into the entertainment industry more than five decades ago, he said young people today are often denied the mentorship, encouragement and space to learn that his generation received.
He also pushed back against the tendency to dismiss the arts as a secondary pursuit, arguing that creative work remains a vital part of society’s intellectual and cultural development. “People often call this work frivolous, but that simply isn’t true,” he said. “There is an immense, rich history to grow into, and there is so much room to grow within it.”
The conversation turned to the values that have shaped his career. Mehmood recalled listening to a speech by businessman Hussain Dawood, who argued that a lack of truthfulness had become one of Pakistan’s greatest obstacles. Soon afterwards, he opened a book by poet Qatal Shifai and found a verse that felt deeply personal. “I felt like I was being commanded because I am a composer, I must write music for it now,” he recalled. “Even if nobody wants to hear the truth, our job is still to speak it.”
Drawing on the philosophy of Allama Iqbal, Mehmood said human beings are naturally inclined towards goodness but are often driven towards harmful actions by fear and insecurity. “Almighty God created humans with an infinite capacity to do good,” he said. “Iqbal’s view is that when you become terrified and full of fear, that is when you do wrong actions. If you are not afraid, you are only capable of doing good.”
The interview also offered a nostalgic look back at the making of the classic PTV drama Ankahi, widely regarded as one of the most beloved productions in Pakistani television history. Mehmood said the cast and crew functioned less like colleagues and more like an extended family. “We gelled together very well,” he said. “There was storytelling, there were arguments, and afterwards we would all go together and make up.”
He also reflected on the beginnings of his musical career, revealing that he started composing in 1972 after being encouraged by the late writer Shoaib Hashmi to create songs for a children’s programme hosted by Farooq Qaiser. His first attempt at singing left him embarrassed, prompting him to suggest a female friend perform the song instead. That friend was Nayara Noor, who would go on to become one of Pakistan’s most celebrated singers.
Mehmood also spoke about Pakistan’s literary heritage, reciting Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem Aaj Bazaar Mein and describing poetry as a source of wisdom and cultural continuity. He encouraged people to learn Persian, noting its close historical and linguistic ties to Urdu.
On the question of Pakistan’s future, Mehmood argued that lasting reform begins at the individual level. He said anyone seeking change must become conscious of their daily choices and commit to small acts of kindness within their family and community. “No country exists without its citizens,” he said. “If we work for the betterment of people, that is how the world moves forward.”
For Mehmood, the foundation of that change is faith. He said fear, particularly around livelihood and survival, often prevents people from acting honestly and compassionately, and that strong faith helps people overcome that fear.