Any professional achievement is a result of hard work and perseverance, similarly the biggest male superstars have gained the stardom that they own by working hard and constantly investing their efforts on their craft. Our leading heroes have started their careers with rather unusual yet interesting projects and achieved their clout post a journey that screams magic.
Here is the list of top 11 heroes who are ruling the television and cinema screens of Pakistan:
Humayun Saeed
Humayun Saeed is undoubtedly the most commercially successful star of the last decade. He boasts of a diverse range of blockbuster films and extraordinary television dramas that earned him numerous accolades, including Lux Style Awards, Hum Awards and ARY Film Awards. He was also awarded with the pride of performance in 2020.
Saeed began his career as a television producer in the late 80s. After stepping into showbiz, Saeed’s powerful presence caught the eye of directors and he bagged a series of TV shows as an actor. He made his acting debut in 1995 with Karooron Ka Aadmi produced by Nadeem Ali Khan, followed by Ye Jahaan, a musical that was telecast in 1996. Last seen in the blockbuster drama serial Mere Paas Tum Ho in 2019, Humayun’s next project is a film titled London Nahin Jaunga.
Fawad Khan
Fawad Khan pursued his passion for music as a teenager in Lahore. Although he made his television debut in the sitcom Jutt And Bond (2001), Fawad dedicated his time and energies to his music career with his rock band Entity Paradigm, which he formed with Ahmed Ali Butt. After a successful music career, Fawad made his big-screen debut with Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and officially started his career as an actor. Fawad delivered some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful dramas in Pakistan. He even won a Filmfare award for his debut film in Bollywood, Khoobsurat (2014). Last seen in the Bollywood film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), Fawad’s next projects are The Legend Of Maula Jutt, Neelofer and Money Back Guarantee.
Fahad Mustafa
Born to an actor father, Salahuddin Tunio, in a Sindhi household, Fahad started his career in showbiz with the drama series, Umrao Jaan Ada (2003). His role in the ensemble drama was a supporting one but Fahad continued to carve a niche for himself with his following projects. He was noticed for his performance in Veena (2008) in which he played a transgender. After being part of many successful drama serials, Fahad made his big-screen debut with Na Maloom Afraad (2014). Currently serving as the host of the biggest game show in the country, Jeeto Pakistan, Fahad was last seen in the film Load Wedding (2018). His forthcoming project is Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, directed by Nabeel Qureshi.
Ali Zafar
Having a degree in Fine Arts from NCA, Ali debuted with the PTV drama Kanch Ke Par (1998/1999) followed by the sitcom Kollege Jeans (2000). After doing a couple of television dramas, he was roped in to sing a song for the film Shararat (2003). Ali officially launched his music career in the same year with a music album. Tere Bin Laden (2010) was Ali Zafar’s debut film in Bollywood, he made his big-screen debut in Lollywood with Teefa In Trouble in 2018. He will be seen next in the sequel of Teefa In Trouble.
Faysal Quraishi
Faysal started his acting career as a child artist at the age of 11 with Andhera Ujala (1985). Born to an actress mother, Afshan Quraishi, Faysal grew up with a blossoming passion for the craft. He made his adult debut as a teenager in the 1992 film, Saza. His television debut as a leading actor was with Manjhdhar. Faysal played the titular character in Boota From Toba Tek Singh (1999) which catapulted him to stardom. Currently, Faysal can be seen in Geo TV’s Fitoor opposite Hiba Bukhari.
Naumaan Ijaz
Naumaan worked as a manager at a movie theatre before trying his luck as a television actor. He started off with a brief role in an undocumented PTV play directed by Nusrat Thakur in 1988. His first documented television play is Fishar (1990) directed by Ayub Khawar and written by Amjad Islam. In his long career, Naumaan has acted both on television and the big screen and has earned accolades for his acting. Currently being seen in Dil Na Umeed To Nahi, his next project is a Zee5 web series opposite Saba Qamar titled as Mann Jogi.
Adnan Siddiqui
Adnan Siddiqui started his career as a model before foraying in the field of acting. His first documented television serial is PTV’s Aroosa (1994), opposite Mishi Khan. Although a supporting part, Aroosa introduced Adnan to the world of acting and since then this dashing actor has acted not just in Pakistan but also in Hollywood and Bollywood. He appeared in the Hollywood film A Mighty Heart (2007) headlined by Angelina Jolie. He made his Bollywood debut with Boney Kapoor’s Mom (2017) opposite late Sridevi. Last seen in Hum TV’s Yeh Dil Mera, Adnan is currently working on his home production, Dum Mastam starring Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan.
Ahsan Khan
Ahsan began his acting career at the age of 17 with a supporting role in the Shaan Shahid – Reema Khan’s big-screen bonanza, Nikah (1998). The film was directed by the veteran Sangeeta, and Ahsan was noticed for his unconventional screen presence and flamboyance. Ahsan also displayed his dancing skills in the film’s famous song, Paani Paani. He started his career as a television actor back in 2003 with multiple PTV productions. 22 years down the line, Ahsan continues to rule the television screen with his diverse roles. His recent drama Qayamat gathered many applauses. His upcoming project is with Hum TV once again, Qissa Meherbano Ka.
Sami Khan
Sami donned the avatar of a cop for his debut film, Salakhain (2004) opposite Zara Sheikh and Meera. He started his career on television with PTV’s Dil Se Dil Tak in the following year. Since then, Sami has been part of many Pakistani dramas across all major channels in the country. His last projects were Hum TV’s Dulhan and Saraab. Sami will be next seen in the romantic film, Yaara Vey which also stars Javed Sheikh and Marina Khan in pivotal roles.
Imran Ashraf
Imran has been acting ever since he was a child, his notable work as a child star includes Goodbye Reshma, Imran officially debuted as an actor in the Fahad Mustafa – Sunita Marshall starrer Wafa Kaisi Kahan Ka Ishq (2011). He played a supporting role in the drama but was appreciated for his on-screen chemistry with Sonya Hussyn. His roles in Alif, Allah, Aur Insaan (2017), and Ranjha Ranjha Kardi (2019) got him widespread critical acclaim. Imran was last seen in the drama serial Mushk and currently features in Raqs-e-Bismil. The actor is all set to make his big-screen debut with Mohammad Ehteshamuddin’s Dum Mastam (2021) opposite Amar Khan.
Imran Abbas
Imran Abbas is a Pakistani actor, singer, producer and former model. He is known for his roles in TV serials Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan (2009), Khuda Aur Muhabbat (2011), Akbari Asghari (2011), and many others. He made his first television appearance in Umrao Jaan Ada (2003). He made his debut in Bollywood opposite Bipasha Basu in Vikram Bhatt’s Creature 3D, for which he was nominated at Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut category. In 2015, Abbas featured in Jaanisaar directed by Muzaffar Ali alongside Pernia Qureshi. He will soon be seen in an upcoming drama Tumhare Husn Ke Naam with Saba Qamar.
