Actor Imran Abbas has expressed disappointment over being labelled a liar for sharing that he was offered roles in multiple Bollywood films. He stated that he faced criticism despite never lying about the offers.
Abbas stated in a recent interview, “People called me a liar when I revealed I was considered for the Heera Mandi web series.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, however, later confirmed that he had thought about casting Imran Abbas and other Pakistani artists.
Imran Abbas disclosed during interviews on various national TV channels that he had received offers for multiple Bollywood films, which he couldn’t accept. He was, nonetheless, accused of lying, criticised, and mocked.
He claimed that the Pakistani public and journalists believed certain Indian journalists – who are banned in India for spreading lies – over him.
Without naming anyone, he said his statements about Bollywood offers were dismissed as lies under the influence of Indian journalists.
Imran Abbas emphasised that he has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years and has worked in several Indian films. He questioned, “Why would I lie about such matters on TV?”
He further explained, “Filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rajkumar Hirani are well-known figures, and I would never lie using their names.”
He clarified, “I have always stated that I was offered several Bollywood projects but never claimed I rejected them.”
Imran Abbas also expressed that he genuinely wanted to work in the films he was offered but could not because of circumstances, not because he turned them down.
“I was offered not only the Heera Mandi web seriess but also Aashiqui 2. But, at the time, I was working on another project under Akshay Kumar’s production, which prevented me from taking up the role due to contractual obligations,” he said.
Similarly, Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered him a role in the 2010 film Guzaarish, but unfortunately, he could not accept it.
Imran Abbas also disclosed, “I was offered a role in Aamir Khan’s blockbuster film PK. I was considered for the role of Sarfaraz, played by Sushant Singh Rajput. However, I couldn’t work on that film either.”
He expressed regret that even people in villages dismissed his claims as lies and refused to believe him, which saddened and disappointed him deeply.