Pakistan’s entertainment industry lost another actor to a religious calling earlier today when film and television sensation Feroze Khan announced that he is quitting show-business. In a message posted on his twitter account, the Khaani star said: “My fans have been waiting for a statement from me. I announce that I quit the showbiz industry and will only act and provide my services for the teaching of Islam through this platform if needed else anything but this InshAllah. Request you all to pray for me and my loved ones.”

An expected development?

Speculations had been rife for a couple of months that the talented Quetta-born actor has been weighing leaving show-business altogether, to follow his path towards religion. Feroze deleted his Instagram account in February and his wife posted a message at that time on her Instastory, saying: “May this spiritual journey brings more faith in your life and serve the purpose.”

Feroze reportedly had been doing some soul searching for a while and has had discussions and meetings with influential preacher Maulana Tariq Jameel in that regard. In choosing his calling towards faith, he would be charting the same course as Hamza Ali Abbasi, although Hamza has recently stated that he is open to returning to acting.

Feroze too seemed to leave the door partially open as he quit the world of shining lights and glamor stating in his message that, like Hamza, he too will act and provide his services “for the teaching of Islam.”

Top of the league

Slated to appear in Eid-ul-Fitr release Tich Button alongside Sonya Hussyn, Farhan Saeed, and Iman Ali, Feroze Khan’s career had been shaping up exceedingly well in recent years with many in the industry considering him among the top tier of the current twenty-something performers. His television show Ishqiya is currently on air and has been well received, whereas another one titled Khuda Aur Mohabbat opposite Iqra Aziz is expected to run in the coming few months. That he will be leaving before even fully exploring his talent and potential to the fullest will be seen as unfortunate by many.

Among other messages he posted along with his departure tweet, Feroze quoted a hadeeth about the immense respect religion accords to women, and a verse of the Quran calling for men to practice modesty.

With the announcement, the journey of about half a decade in the television and film industry will come to end for the actor who is considered a heart-throb by many of his fans.

Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for the latest on this developing story.