I caught up with Kent S. Leung, who is visiting Vancouver for the holidays after just wrapping up Chalay Thay Saath, an upcoming Pakistani feature film. Kent plays the love interest of Pakistani model and actress Syra Shahroz. You heard right, a Pakistani and Chinese love story! The film starts off with four friends that go on a road trip together to China. Chalay Thay Saath, English translation “together we go,” is about friendship, different relationships, culture and family values.
Kent moved to Beijing in 2015, after leaving his job at an investment banking firm to pursue his then part time acting gig. Having had to adjust to the new culture and much larger city, he dedicated his first 6-months to study mandarin. There were months where it seemed like work was going nowhere but with the love and support of his old and new friends coupled with his determination, Kent persevered through the challenges which he is glad he did because since then, he feels that his career is going up in the right direction now. And I have a feeling that this is just the beginning for him.
When asked if his character in Chalay Thay Saath, is similar to the real-life Kent, he said that the character has a very strong moral code which is a trait he strives for. Much like the real Kent who had just moved to Beijing from Vancouver, his character in the story is a foreign traveler from China investigating his late father's roots with Pakistan. During the character's travels, something happens to his family back home. Kent was in a similar situation at the same time of filming, and recalls it being a difficult time to be away from his family in Vancouver.
Image courtesy of Chalay Thay Saath
The much anticipated Chalay Thay Saath will be released in Pakistan in 2017. Follow the Chalay Thay Saath Facebook Page for updates and to watch the new trailer! Kent will be on Fairchild Radio on Thursday, December 29th at 10:30pm, be sure to tune in!
Thank you Kent for being such a sport and braving the Vancouver cold for the blog!
