Has Imran Abbas quit showbiz? The actor explains, and reveals the tower he is building in Islamabad

Fans of Imran Abbas had a scare this week when reports said the Khuda Aur Mohabbat star had quit showbiz. The actor has now clarified, and the truth is somewhere in between.

What he first said

In an interview with a private TV channel, reported by Dunya News on October 18, Abbas said he was “no longer working in dramas” and had stepped away from television over the past two to three years.

Instead, he said he’s focusing on:

• Real estate and construction. Abbas trained as an architect, and said that background helped him move into development.
• A tower near Islamabad International Airport, which is under construction and expected to be finished in about two and a half years.
• Charity work. He said, “I want to do something for others that will benefit me in the afterlife.”

Then the clarification

As headlines spread saying he had left the industry, Abbas responded on Instagram, writing that he had “just heard from social media that I have quit showbiz”, 24 News HD reported. He said his words had been misinterpreted.

His explanation:

• For the past two years he has focused more on his businesses and charitable commitments.
• During that time he has turned down many TV and film offers, including projects backed by government film funds.
• He will keep working in television and cinema whenever a project offers “substance, purpose and creative depth”.

In short, it’s a change in priorities, not a goodbye.

Why fans care

Abbas is one of Pakistan’s best-known romantic leads, with hits such as Khuda Aur Mohabbat, Koi Chand Rakh and Tum Kon Piya, and Bollywood appearances in Creature 3D and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. His long gaps between projects have often fuelled rumours.

For now, fans may have to wait longer for his next drama, but he has made it clear the door is still open, if the script is right.