HUMAYUN SAEED: THE REIGNING KING OF PAKISTANI ENTERTAINMENT

There are stars—and then there’s Humayun Saeed: Pakistan’s definitive leading man, an unstoppable force on screen and behind the camera. With a career spanning over three decades, Humayun Saeed is not only one of Pakistan’s most beloved actors but also a powerhouse producer and fashion entrepreneur. He is also the mastermind behind Six Sigma Plus, the production house that has reshaped the landscape of Pakistani television and cinema

Humayun Saeed steps back into the rom-com spotlight with ‘Love Guru’ (2025), a bold new venture both in front of, and behind the camera. Co-produced by his own Six Sigma Plus alongside ARY Films and Salman Iqbal Films, the film pairs him once again with Mahira Khan, reigniting their celebrated on-screen chemistry. This marks Humayun and Mahira’s third screen pairing, following ‘Bin Roye’ and Mahira’s buzzworthy cameo in ‘London Nahi Jaunga.’

In ‘Love Guru’ Humayun plays Adil—aka Hamza Abbasi—a smooth-talking, morally ambivalent matchmaker-for-hire. Tasked with sabotaging a wedding, he infiltrates the life of Mahira Khan’s Sophia, a London-based architect, only to find himself tangled in the emotional mess he orchestrates. It’s classic Humayun: charming, witty, and unexpectedly layered by a whirlwind of deception, chemistry, and unexpected emotional stakes. Humayun’s chemistry with Mahira remains a major draw, their banter crackling with both mischief and nostalgia. Critics applauded his “deadpan humour” and comedic finesse, even as some questioned if he’s aging out of the genre. But fans—and box office numbers—say otherwise.

Shot in Karachi and London with a budget nearing PKR 28 crores, ‘Love Guru’ is Humayun’s  most ambitious production yet. It celebrates cultural diversity, including Pashtun influences, and reflects his desire to tell big stories with a local heart. Humayun calls filmmaking in Pakistan “risky,” but he’s betting on love—and cinema.

‘Love Guru’ premiered in Lahore on Eid-ul-Adha 2025 and shattered opening records with PKR 29 crore domestically and raking in over PKR 55 crore globally in 15 other countries within nine days. From the UK to North America, UAE, and Australia, audiences embraced its feel-good tone and visual flair. Humayun’s  gamble on rom-coms paid off, once again positioning him as a genre trailblazer. Audiences celebrated ‘Love Guru’ as a ‘complete family entertainer’ with praise for comedic value, music, and cultural resonance while critics applauded cinematography by Suleman Razzaq, vibrant colour palettes, and sharp dialogue.

Says Humayun about his experience working in Love Guru and his chemistry  with Mahira, “Love Guru was a truly enjoyable experience. It was a fun film, with a great script written by Vasay Chaudhry, under the direction of Nadeem Baig and alongside my wonderful team. The comfort level on set was fantastic. I had the pleasure of working with a talented cast including Ahmed Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry, Ramsha Khan and of course Mahira Khan.”

Humayun credits his and Mahira’s comfort level and mutual respect for the effortless vibe they bring to the screen.”It had been a while since I worked with Mahira—the last time was in ‘Bin Roye’ in 2015, which was well-received by both the public and critics, especially our on-screen chemistry. Sharing the screen with her again was a pleasure. Mahira is a phenomenal actress, very committed and focused on her craft and she never throws tantrums. It’s always enjoyable working with someone like that. What made the experience even better was the friendship and comfort we share, which makes even the toughest scenes flow effortlessly.”

Off-screen and during promotions, Humayun kept it grounded not only playing a “love guru”—he had thoughts on love too. “It can happen at any age,” he laughed “But with one person at a time.” He remains candid about the pressures of aging on-screen. When online trolls questioned his and Mahira’s ages or looks, Humayun joked, “That overacting can never stop it’s been a part of her since childhood!” playfully referring to Mahira. ‘Love Guru’ isn’t just a hit—it’s a statement with Humayun continuing to champion locally-made content that connects globally. But where did the momentous journey of Pakistan’ indubitable superstar begin? Born on July 27, 1971, in Karachi, Humayun Saeed  hails from a well-educated and liberal Punjabi family and grew up in a household of five brothers, including Amir Saeed, Adnan Saeed, Babar Saeed and Salman Saeed, the latter who is also an actor. 

Humayun opened up about his early struggles. “I was 18 or 19 and there were many responsibilities on me. I started working alongside college, gave tuitions, but that wasn’t enough given the medical bills. My brother’s paralysis made me more responsible as I had to take care of the family.” A brilliant student, Humayun was Head Boy from 1986-87 at the not-for-profit Nasra School (alma mater to luminaries like Justice Mushir Alam and cricketer Wasim Bari) and  excelled in his studies and earned distinction throughout his academic career till matriculation, later graduating from St. Patrick’s College with a degree in Commerce.

Before the lights and cameras, Saeed has stated that he wanted to be a steward in PIA and had asked his father to approach  PR maven Frieha Altaf ‘s father who had a prominent position in PIA. Mr Altaf instead suggested Saeed join his son- in- law Nadeem Ahmed’s garment factory, where Humayun was eventually made a general manager and where he was happy working from 1991 to 1995 before joining the entertainment industry.

Acting wasn’t in his initial plans but fate intervened when his friend who was an actor took him to see director Tasneem Aslam, who was looking for a lead actor. Humayun was auditioned and accepted, but later got rejected, as the director said he was ‘miscast.’ The rejection only fuelled Humayun’s resolve to prove to the world that he could act.

Recalls Humayun about the genesis of his career in Entertainment, “My entry into acting was completely accidental, but I’m so glad life took me in this direction. Even now, I feel like a student of this craft—always learning, always evolving. No matter how successful you become as an actor or producer, there’s always more to discover. For me, this is the best profession in the world. It’s fulfilling on every level: creatively, emotionally, and yes, financially. It’s work, but it never feels like work.” In an earlier interview Humayun has said that at the start of his career his parents were against him acting and  did not approve of his showbiz career. But with the passage of time, they saw his passion and started supporting him. In order to embark on his new journey, Humayun decided to go into production with ‘Iqraar’  also acting in the TV play written and directed by Sikander Shah. Although ‘Iqraar’ was Humayun’s maiden venture, it did not get telecast until 1998.

Humayun’s actual television debut came in 1995 with ‘Karooron Ka Aadmi directed by Nadeem A. Khan ‘ but it was the PTV musical serial ‘Ye Jahaan’  (1996) produced by Tasneem Aslam and  his award-winning  role as a seductive intruder in Mehreen Jabbar’s ‘Ab Tum Ja Saktay Ho‘—opposite legends Sania Saeed and the late Khalida Riyasat in her last role —that turned him into a breakout star. Later that year, his chilling performance in Yasir Akhtar’s ‘Zeher’ cemented his status as a versatile talent.

When Samina Peerzada cast Humayun as the psychotic villain Zafar in ‘Inteha’, opposite Meera and Resham, Humayun took a bold professional risk—and it paid off.  He could have opted for the hero’s role, but preferred to play the villain which had more scope. The role earned Humayun his first National Award for Best Actor, and the haunting billboard image of him grinning devilishly between two sirens remains iconic.

Humayun’s second film, Sajjad Gul’s ‘No Paisa, No Problem’ did not do well at the box office, although he said he had enjoyed playing the character of a woman in the film.

During this time, Humayun continued doing TV productions alongside acting.
In the 1990’s Humayun partnered with founder and President of Hum Network Limited, Sultana Siddiqui with Friends Entertainment.

Reminisces Humayun of his long association with the trailblazing pioneer:
“I have had a long-standing association with Sultana Apa and I am especially grateful to her—she has been a tremendous influence in my life.
When I had my first production experience in America, it was by observing her in action on her own projects that I truly learned the essence of professionalism and dedication. My motivation and drive to approach work with passion and commitment come directly from Sultana Apa’s example. Hum TV stood by me in my early productions and gave me a platform to grow.”

In 2000, Humayun collaborated with Abdullah Kadwani to form Humayun Saeed-Abdullah Kadwani Productions which they later named 7th Sky Entertainment. Later, Humayun started his own production house along with Shehzad Nasib under the banner ‘Six Sigma Plus’ that produced a slew of successful serials and films, including the cult classic ‘Moorat.’

Finally, Humayun  started his own production, known as H.S. Production which produced the serial, ‘Tum Hi Toh Ho’, ‘Pehli Khwahish’ ‘Adhuray Khawab’, ‘Dil Wo Bay Mehar” and ‘Undekh’ Humayun’s  initial notable TV work as an actor includes ‘Mehndi’, ‘Doraha’ ‘Kabhi Kabhi Pyar Mein’, ‘Kaafir’, ‘Uraan’, ‘Hum Se Juda Na Hona’, ‘Ladies Park’ and guest roles in ‘Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan’ and ‘Daam’.

To date and since the resurgence of Pakistani Cinema in 2013, Humayun has acted in 15 feature films including the Indian Bollywood movie “Jashan” in 2009 where he was given a negative role and Pakistani mega-hits like ‘Bin Roye’, ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’, and ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Ani’—the latter two breaking box office records and earning him the moniker “Box Office King.”

His film Jawani Phir Nahi Ani holds the record of being the fourth highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time. Jawani Phir Nahi Ani swept the ARY Film Awards ceremony with total of 17 awards, also earning him the award for the best male actor in a leading role, while his other film Punjab Nahi Jaungi has been declared as the second highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time and the highest-grossing film of 2017 in Pakistani cinema.

In 2018, he starred in the film Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2. As of 2019, the film was the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time. After its huge box office success, Humayun announced three more sequels and that the third film in JPNA franchise was in plans to be out “in two years”, one being written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and the other by Vasay Chaudhry.

On Eid ul Fitr 2022, Humayun appeared in Nadeem Baig’s London Nahi Jaunga alongside Mehwish Hayat.

When asked if he prefers acting on TV or on the big screen Humayun stoically says, “I enjoy acting in both TV and Film. Each requires a different skill set and craft. But producing and acting in films is my ultimate goal and I hope to consistently feature in entertaining films.” Humayun’s accolades include 22 prestigious awards, among them three PTV Awards, 11 Lux Style Awards, two ARY Film Awards, and two Hum Awards for his contribution to Pakistani cinema.

In 2020, Humayun returned to television and played the role of Danish in the drama serial Meray Paas Tum Ho, where he took all the credit of making it “the best serial ever made in history of Pakistan.” When asked in an interview which personality trait he had in common with Danish, he replied that he too was extremely patient.  Indeed his colleagues often praise Humayun for his calm and composed personality.

For his performance in ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ Humayun took home the Pakistan International Screen Awards ‘Best Actor Award’. The drama  became a cultural phenomenon across Pakistan and even resonated in India, where fans compared him to Shah Rukh Khan.

On March 23, 2021,Humayun was awarded the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan during the Presidential investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, in recognition of his significant contributions to acting and the revival of the Pakistani film and television industry. Humayun has described this accolade as his “most special,” expressing deep gratitude for state recognition and pledging to continue working hard to make Pakistan proud.

In a historic moment for Pakistani entertainment, Humayun was cast as Dr. Hasnat Khan—the deeply private British-Pakistani heart surgeon romantically linked to Princess Diana—in Netflix’s royal juggernaut The Crown (Season 5). He was officially cast in January 2022, and his character debuted in episode 7, titled “No Woman’s Land”, continuing through the season’s finale This marked his formal entry into international stardom and further affirmed his cross-border appeal.

When asked what distinguishes him as an actor, Humayun has a simple riposte: “What sets me apart as an actor is my focus and mind-set. I believe an actor’s real-life attitude deeply influences their on-screen authenticity. Most of my roles have been positive and humble, so it’s important for me to reflect those qualities in real life—audiences can easily sense inauthenticity in an actor’s eyes. Some actors come across as arrogant off-screen, making it hard for viewers to believe their on-screen humility. You can’t fool a discerning audience.”

Humayun also adds that the input of the director counts. “Good direction also plays a huge role—having a director with a clear vision elevates any performance.” Among his favourite roles of all time, Humayun cites ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho‘ which he says stood out for its impact and complexity, followed by ‘Dil Lagi’. In his film roles, he found  ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ with Mehwish Hayat both challenging and rewarding.

Humayun describes himself as a Method Actor and has admired and been inspired by Hollywood leading men including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Tom Hanks and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Humayun has said he wishes to work in Bollywood with some Indian actors.
“I would love to work with Kareena Kapoor Khan. She’s a strong actor.” He praises Aishwarya Rai for her beautiful eyes but jokes that Katrina Kaif might be out of his league. In August 2024 Humayun flexed his own star quality when he co-starred with Hadiqa Kiyani in a music video for her Sufi love song, ‘Baari Thaani’ directed by Abdullah Haris and produced by SufiScore which  showcased the organic and heartfelt chemistry between the two superstars  .

Humayun credits his success not to stardom but to discipline and reinvention.
“If I feel I’ve gained weight, I’ll lose it. If I feel my performance lacked depth, I’ll do better next time,” he says. Fitness is now a part of his routine, especially after a serious car accident in Bangkok in 2014, which required cosmetic treatment for facial scarring.

About his personal style Humayun is quite literally black and white.
“My personal style is guided by comfort. I feel most at ease and confident in a classic black shalwar kameez, a sharp black suit, or a relaxed black linen shirt with trousers. These are my go-to looks—simple, timeless, and what I feel I look best in.” To test his own sartorial prowess and to celebrate his long-standing friendship and creative partnership with Adnan Siddiqui—from ‘Mehendi’ to the hit drama ‘Meray Pas Tum Ho’, Humayun along with Adnan launched the luxury apparel brand, Cast and Crew, in collaboration with fashion retailer J.

Off-screen, Humayun describes himself as a humble, respectful, and caring person.

Despite his fame, Humayun is shy by nature, a trait he says he’s carried since childhood. He is also quietly philanthropic, contributing generously to various causes. Humayun feels that public figures have particular responsibilities. “One of the key responsibilities of being a public figure is to maintain a positive mind-set,” Humayun asserts

“I always try to stay positive, humble and respectful. It’s very important for anyone in the public eye to show respect at all times, and to carry themselves with humility and a positive outlook on life. For celebrities or actors especially, respect and humility are essential qualities.”

Humayun is extremely protective about his private life. He has been married to Samina Humayun Saeed since 1995—a respected producer in her own right – who he has acknowledged as helping to launch and sustain his career. In the early years, her discomfort with his roles—especially in ‘Inteha’—was no secret. Humayun says, “Initially, Samina did have a problem. She wanted me to leave this field of acting, and go back to the garment business.”

But love, respect and a blossoming career prevailed.

On January 31, 2022, Humayun tweeted: “Disappointed to find out that only 1 out of 4 female doctors practice after graduation in Pakistan because of family pressure. Thinking of a new project, maybe to highlight this issue. Let’s encourage women to pursue their dreams. #DoctorBahu.” He expressed concern over how many women who train as doctors never continue to practice—often stepping down after marriage due to cultural/family expectations. He proposed producing a project tentatively titled  ‘Doctor Bahu’ to spotlight this issue, the title suggesting  the central conflict: a woman juggling her medical profession with traditional expectations as a daughter-in-law (bahu).

And as always, Humayun is delivering. Produced by Six Sigma Plus, ‘Doctor Bahu’, starring Kubra Khan and Shuja Asad is set to air on ARY Digital likely in September–October 2025, The TV play  is written by Sanam Mehdi Zaryab and directed by Mehreen Jabbar and includes actors Adeel Hussain, Hajra Yamin, Mira Sethi, and Saba Hamid in the ensemble cast.

Humayun’s most recent TV drama serial ‘Mein Manto Nahin Hoon’  directed  by Nadeem Baig with a script written by Khalil‑ur‑Rehman Qamar is produced under the  aegis of the Six Sigma Plus banner and aired on ARY Digital. Says Humayun about his latest endeavour which also stars Asif Raza Mir, Usman Peerzada, Saima Noor, Azaan Sami Khan and Nameer Khan: “The interesting part about ‘Mein Manto Nahin Hoon’ was that it was my first time working with Sajal Aly and Sanam Saeed. Both are incredible actresses, and I genuinely enjoyed doing scenes with them. I have a particular liking for actors who are effortlessly natural in their delivery, and both Sajal and Sanam have that quality — they deliver their dialogues with ease and grace. About his other future plans, Humayun says he is looking forward to producing more entertaining movies.
“Jawani Phir Nahin Aani Part 3 is in the works. I’m going to produce one or two action movies as well.”

In a world of fleeting fame and algorithm-driven stories, Humayun Saeed remains a constant: romantic, relevant, and real. ‘Love Guru’ proves he’s not just a star—but a force, keeping Pakistani cinema bold, vibrant, and irresistibly watchable. He is not merely a name—he’s an institution. A storyteller. A trendsetter. A national treasure. And whether he’s romancing onscreen, producing award-winning content, or making history on an international stage, one thing’s certain: ‘The King of Pakistani Entertainment’ still rules.