Imran Abbas, 32, is not just one of the highest paid actors in Pakistan, but is also very sought after by all the women there. He is simple, emotional and spiritual and proud of himself being rooted. He hardly has any friends and is a very private person who remains most happy in his own company and the environment of his home.

He takes people at face value and loves his mother the most in the world.He doesn't mind people being stupid, but cannot deal with lies. Over an hour-long conversation, ahead of his upcoming romantic filmJaanisaar, directed by the extremely artistic Muzaffar Ali, he talks to Bombay Times about his love for his mother, what he does with the money he makes and how becoming spiritual has changed his outlook to life. Excerpts:

You are one of the most sought-after men in Pakistan. Tell us about your background?

I was born and brought up in Islamabad. Right from the age of four, I started painting. I also sing, write and like poetry. My father was a civil engineer in a government job and my mother a housewife. I am the youngest amongst our six siblings. Being the youngest, I was always given a free hand by my parents to do whatever I wanted to. My mother supported me for my painting and allowed me to learn music. I studied architecture from National College of Arts, Lahore as I felt architecture was a good blend of art and engineering. A famous Pakistani photographer Khawar Riaz saw me in my final year and offered me to do modelling for a magazine. The money was really good as I earned Rs 35,000 for just one hour. People started noticing me and I did Pakistani television and since have been doing it past ten years and became the highest paid actor in Pakistan. My last television serialAlvidabroke all the records. I was offeredAashiqui2, but could not take it for another film that I was to do that too did not happen. I then did Vikram Bhatt's Creature and now Muzaffar Ali's Jaanisaar.