A singer turning to acting - through television dramas and films - is not a new phenomenon. Over a period of time, many singers have proven their mettle as successful actors.
Fawad Khan tops our list. Fawad made his film debut in Khuda Kay Liye (2017), however he truly became the heartthrob of the nation after starring in drama serial Humsafar alongside Mahira Khan.
Besides Fawad Khan, singer/songwriter Ali Zafar made his acting debut with Bollywood film, Tere Bin Laden in 2010. Zafar’s latest outing, Teefa in Trouble, that marked the actor’s cinematic debut in Pakistan, is at present one of the highest grossing films of 2018.
Some other musicians who have taken a stab at acting include Ali Azmat, Meesha Shafi, Umair Jaswal and Ahmed Ali Butt among others.
Instep lists down four musicians-turned-actors who are currently appearing on our television screens.
Junaid Khan
Lead vocalist of Call [the band], Junaid Khan ventured into acting in 2010 with a sitcom, titled Kabhi Na Kabhi. Junaid has some remarkable performances to his credit including plays such as Silsilay, Khasara and Ishq Tamasha. Currently, the actor can be seen in three drama serials. While he plays the role of an antagonist in TV play Hania, Junaid essays a caring and emotional guy in Kamzarf that features Nadia Khan, Alyy Khan and Rubab Hashim in pivotal roles.
Apart from these two projects, Junaid is appearing in Yaariyan alongside Momal Sheikh, Ayeza Khan and Muneeb Butt.
Junaid Khan has come a long way, proving what a versatile actor he is.
Farhan Saeed
Farhan Saeed, who was the lead vocalist of Jal band decided to part ways with the group in 2011 after releasing a number of hit singles and albums with the band.
In 2014, Farhan made his acting debut with drama serial De Ijaazat Jo Tu opposite Sohai Ali Abro and later appeared in drama serial Udaari (2016) that tackled the sensitive subject of child abuse. Last year during the month of Ramazan, the singer and actor returned to the small screen with Suno Chanda and garnered immense praise for his role in the play that featured Iqra Aziz, Samina Ahmed, Mohammed Ahmed, Ali Safina and many others.
At present Farhan Saeed can be seen on our television screens reprising the role of Arsal in the sequel to Suno Chanda - that is directed by Aehsun Talish and written by Saima Akram Chaudhry - and getting rave reviews once again.
The actor is also gearing up for his big screen debut with Tich Button, which is co-produced by Urwa Hocane and stars Feroze Khan, Iman Ali and Sonya Hussyn in lead roles.
Goher Mumtaz
Jal band’s present front-man, Goher Mumtaz, who recently appeared in Nescafe Basement 5 with a thrilling rendition of the song ‘Aadat’ - that started Jal – kicked off his acting career in 2011 with Kountry Love. However, he came into the limelight with television play Tanhai in 2013. Some of his memorable plays include Uff Yeh Mohabbat, Neelam Kinaray alongside Ushna Shah and Ghayal in which he essayed the character of an antagonist. He also appeared in the recently concluded Ishq Mein Kaafir that featured Saboor Aly in the lead. Goher Mumtaz can currently be seen in drama serial Mere Humdam that stars Sarah Khan, Nida Mumtaz and Syed Jibran in key roles. 15 episodes into the play, the singer and actor is certainly doing a commendable job.
Haroon Shahid
Haroon Shahid was the former lead-singer and guitarist of Lahore-based pop-rock band SYMT. He made his transition into acting in 2017 with Shaoib Mansoor’s movie Verna alongside super star Mahira Khan. Though the film didn’t do too well at the box office, Haroon Shahid received mixed reviews for his acting in the film. The singer and actor later appeared in drama serial Tajdeed e Wafa, which was directed by Ilyas Kashmiri and starred Ainy Jaffry, Ahmed Ali Akbar and Naveen Waqar. Haroon was also seen in the recently concluded play, Do Bol, in which he essayed the character of Sameer, who is in love with Gaiti (Hira Mani), but somehow things don’t work out in his favour and Gaiti gets married to Badar (Affan Waheed).
Presently, the actor is appearing in TV play Khas that features Ali Rehman and Sanam Baloch in lead roles.