MUMBAI: Much to the astonishment of the scores of Pakistani film and music artistes, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah promptly went to the neighbouring land to finish a film titled Zinda Bhaag that centres around the desperate urge of youth to find a better life abroad.

Shah plays an agent involved in illegal immigration. "He has different illegal businesses and one of them is to give hope of a dream life to youth, and (he) coaxes youngsters into giving him all their money.

The actor returned to India recently after completing a seven-day spell of shooting. Earlier last month, he had visited Lahore to familiarise himself with the city and also to conduct a week-long workshop with a group of newcomers who were acting in a film for the first time in their life.

This is not the first time that Shah is doing a Pakistani film. Earlier, he played a key role in the 2007 made film, Khuda Ke Liye.

The film revolves around the youngsters’ urge to find a short cut to a life abroad. Hence it has been aptly titled Zinda Bhaag. The film has been co-directed by Indian-born Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi and produced by Mazhar Zaidi.