Pakistani actor Ali Zafar, busy promoting his upcoming film "London, Paris, New York", says cinema can help to promote Urdu, which he feels is on the decline in theatre and movies.

"I feel the use of pure Urdu has declined. It is important to keep it alive as it is a beautiful language. It should be used in mainstream theatre and Bollywood. It's important for the new generation to learn Urdu," the 31-year-old said at a promotional event of the movie.

Ali made the remarks while speaking about Urdu poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, who wrote under the pen name Shahryar and who died Monday after battling lung cancer.

"Someone once asked me, who do you like spending time with and who impresses you the most? I said, writers. The might of the pen is the greatest.

"So I felt sad after hearing the news of his demise," said Ali, who has also composed music and written the lyrics for "London, Paris, New York". The movie releases March 2.

In the film, he has teamed up Aditi Rao Hydari.

Ali's first Bollywood film was "Tere Bin Laden" that struck the right chord with the audience. Later he featured in "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan" as Imran Khan's elder brother.

Now he has 1981-cult comedy "Chashme Buddoor" remake, which will be made by David Dhawan.