rom fronting one of Pakistan’s most iconic rock bands to emerging as a compelling actor and now producer, Junaid Khan has spent over two decades in the entertainment industry, evolving with quiet determination. His journey began with Call, the band that defined a generation of rock listeners in the early 2000s, where his distinct voice and fiery energy turned songs like ‘Sab Bhula Kay’ and ‘Nishaan’ into cultural milestones.

Since then, Junaid has built a steady acting career that gained real momentum around 2010. In 2022, he founded Jeem Films, a production house that’s driven by his artistic vision.

In recent times, he’s tackled gritty, issue-driven narratives as an actor, most notably in Case No. 9, his latest television project for Geo TV.

Junaid plays Rohit, a conflicted eyewitness caught in a moral and legal storm. The series tackles sexual assault and the systemic failures that victims face. The project, he says, reflects his belief that storytelling must go beyond entertainment to provoke thought and empathy.

In this exclusive conversation with Instep, Junaid opens up about the challenges of portraying Rohit, the responsibility that comes with sensitive storytelling and the evolving landscape of Pakistani entertainment.

Instep: What drew you to a project as intense as Case No. 9 and a character like Rohit?

Junaid Khan (JK): The gravity of the script is what drew me in. This isn’t just a story; it’s a reflection of our society and how the system can fail victims. The responsibility was immense; we had to treat the subject with honesty and sensitivity without sensationalising it. The focus always had to stay on the survivor’s fight for justice.

Instep: How would you describe Rohit’s moral position in this story?

JK: Rohit is a crucial character because he’s the only eyewitness. He supports Kamran not only because they’re friends but because he feels indebted to him. Morally, he knows Sehar is the victim and he even offers her silent support. But he isn’t willing to go against Kamran in court. His reasons and the depth of his conflict are revealed as the story unfolds.

Instep: Faysal Qureshi plays the manipulative antagonist Kamran. How did his performance influence your own?

JK: Working with Faysal was both a challenge and a learning experience. His portrayal of Kamran, powerful, toxic and unpredictable, amplified Rohit’s internal struggle. I had to balance fear, disgust and a sense of obligation in every scene with him. That tension made Rohit’s silence even more layered and painful.

Instep: What kind of preparation did you undertake for this role?

JK: My preparation always begins with long discussions with the director and writer. For Case No. 9, I spent hours with Syed Wajahat Hussain (SWH) understanding the emotional weight of the story and its social message. I also researched the psychological and legal challenges that victims face in real life. SWH makes the process easy. He’s deeply involved in every detail, from tone to wardrobe, and he knows exactly where each character needs to go.

Shahzeb Khanzada, who has experience as an investigative journalist, wrote the script and handled the subject with real insight and nuance. It’s rare to........

© The News on Sunday