‘Chaiwala’ dismisses the idea of working in films

Since the time 18-year-old Arshad Khan; a local tea-vendor from Islamabad, made headlines for one of his pictures which was released on social media, the country has been watching closely his every move.

After initially landing a modeling contract with a local online retailer, there was talk that Khan might even sign up for a film. Rumor had it, that Pakistani filmmaker, Syed Noor, had already signed him up!

However, it turns out that all of that was just hearsay as Khan has no plans of working in the film industry.

“I have not thought about (acting in) movies, because it’s not been done by anyone in our family,” Khan said.

Acting in films, he said “is not honourable work. Pashtuns always look for work that is honourable …. If I can find some clean, honourable work, I will certainly do it.”

Khan became an overnight celebrity when a local photographer by the name of Javeria took a picture of him while making tea at Sunday market, and posted it on her Facebook page.

Khan’s green-blue eyes, sharp features and his mustache garnered immediate praise from not only people in Pakistan, but from across the globe as well. The very next day, Twitter was abuzz with the hashtag #chaiwala (tea-vendor) and everyone seemed to be talking about his good looks.

Meanwhile it has all been very overwhelming for Khan, who does not own a mobile phone and cannot even read or write. He belongs from a Pashtun family and has 16 other siblings. While he has enjoyed his overnight celebrity status, he understands that eventually it will all fade and he will have to continue to work for his livelihood.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=54021

Posted by fatimaarshad on Oct 21 2016. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.