We live in an age of fear and vapid destruction, where the news is so emotionally draining that we disconnect from feeling as a way to survive. As blood spatters and more strategies of death are concocted, we teeter on the edge, waiting for bulletins of loss.

The latest bloodletting that has us tuned to social media is the P that saw the deaths of at least 26 people, a straining of ties between old rivals India and Pakistan, and the mourning of a nation.

As we contend with the level of depravity that would allow a group to kill innocent civilian holidaymakers and reconsider our own travel plans, hastening to call up kith and kin to request tempered breaks, a voice of reason lashes out.

“We all deserve to live in a peaceful manner,” says British-Pakistani star Ahsan Khan. He’s at the Khaleej Times office, his pale brown eyes reflecting his sincerity as he calls on both nations to talk with words not weapons, to exercise discretion and not mudslinging, to think of their people before they think of knee-jerk revenge.

The 43-year-old actor, known for movies such as Udaari and The Legend of Maula Jatt, and TV serials such as Dastaan and Sukoon, mulls over his response about the attack. He does not offer platitudes, saying that neighbours are bound to have disagreements. “It's natural, things do happen. You have different opinions, but then you have to sort things out decently,” he says. “We should stick together. We should show love, peace, harmony,” he adds.

Giving the example of Dubai, he explains so much more advancement is possible when one lives in peace with others. “When we come here, we just feel we're so safe, we're so secure. So, everyone wants to come here. Dubai is a hub for everyone across the world; everyone gets together to represent their own countries in a very peaceful manner. We get to meet our Indian friends, our Turkish friends... There is power in being such a diverse place,” he adds.

There is mutual respect between artists of both the nations. Pakistani stars consume a lot of Bollywood content (including the songs and dances) and Indians enjoy the baklava-like layering of Pakistani TV serials. Art, he points out, is not bound by state or era or boundary – it is human expression and should be viewed as such. “We have so many friends from across the border, it's so amazing how they love our work and they appreciate our work, and we also look up to them because we've grown up watching them. It’s give and take,” he says. “We all deserve to live in a peaceful manner.”

Ahsan Khan

Khan is the sort of star you read about in books – good looking in a ‘chiselled-out-of-stone’ kind of way with a smile that adds crinkles around his eyes, hair that’s not got a strand out of place even as it seems to defy gravity by the way it stands, and a demeanour that puts you on your best behaviour. “It’s all genes,” he says, adding, “As someone in the spotlight, you do try to eat well, sleep on time, exercise, but often you are wrapped up in projects that don’t allow for a regimented schedule. That’s where genes kick in,” he laughs.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that he’s all looks though. “We as old school actors, when we came in the field, we had to know how to swim, how to horse ride. We had to learn fighting, and acting, of course. When we started working, so we went through all this,” he mulls, adding that that’s when he discovered his love for riding. “It’s become my hobby,” he smiles.

 In fact, in his latest series – which is doing rather well – with Mehwish Hayat, Dayan, one of his first scenes is riding a horse. “That was the best day of my shoot. I was riding all day,” he reminisces.

As with any series, Dayan too flirted with controversy recently, when an episode with headache medicine was construed alluding about another (common-yet-not -really spoken-about-publicly) blue pill. Khan, laughing, cleared the air with media, stopping rumours in their tracks before the trolls came out of the woodwork. However, he’s quick to say that during the course of his career, he’s seen mostly love not hate directed his way. “I don't really read comments about my shows. Mostly, I've been fortunate.  I've seen people respecting and loving me, maybe because I’ve been in the industry for more than two decades and  people start respecting you when they see your work, that you stand for a cause,” he says.

He believes that when one has a celebrity platform, it’s their duty to invest time and effort into a cause; he has advocated for child rights and animal rights over the years, becoming the ambassador of the National Commission on the Rights of Child in Pakistan in 2019 and Punjab wildlife goodwill ambassador last week.

He does however speak about setbacks – and offers an unusual thought: one should be grateful for those tough times. “Everything can't be hunky dory all the time. You will face challenges and if you are lucky, they will make you a better person.” He admits that it may not be easy in the moment when you are racing through a period of strife but even that is “a blessing in disguise”.

The actor, who has a Golden Visa and is a regular vistor to Dubai, says: “We're blessed to have this, because we can come here anytime. We can buy our homes over here. We can live here with our families. It’s a blessing.”

He also says that he’s impressed by his fans in the country.  “People who live here live peacefully – we can really learn from them.  I remember last time when I was going back to Pakistan for work and at the Business Class lounge, I met people frtom all over who knew me and wanted me to speak to their partners or friends over video call.”

He calls running into them fulfilling,  humbling, and ultimately, inspiring. In other words, it’s the Dubai factor.