A glance at 6 Pakistani TV stars that have conquered primetime slots across India

That Pakistani television industry is at its pinnacle is an irrefutable fact recognised across the globe. With the production of classic dramas like Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzaar Hai, the television space has been a nurturing ground for many actors who with their exceptional acting prowess have catapulted to the top, so much so, that they have mustered massive following and appeal from the neighbouring India. Leading the saying ‘art knows no boundaries’ by example, here we look at 6 TV soap actors from Pakistan that now rule over primetime slots across India:

Sanam Saeed

London-born Sanam Saeed first emerged as a comedian, had a brief stint as a VJ and then appeared as a backup vocalist on famed music venture Coke Studio. She tasted success as an actor after her character Kashaf in drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai received immense love from her Indian fans. A graduate of film and theatre studies from Lahore, she debuted with 2016’s Bachaana, and starred later on in Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se. She then featured in the critically-acclaimed international blockbuster Cake this year.

Dream role: “One that is based on a real-life character and has the power to stimulate the audience and make them laugh and cry.”

Ayesha Omar

An actor, model, singer and host par excellence, Ayesha at a very young age has become a global TV icon. The multi-talented actress is also a qualified painter who with her spell-bounding dance performance in ‘Tutti Fruiti Hoon Mai’ from Karachi Se Lahore surprised audiences. She then played a girl kidnapped by the Taliban in her next cinematic venture titled Yalghaar. She also hosted the second season of Pepsi Battle of the Bands recently and has been a renowned face in the genre of comedy after playing Khoobsurat in Bulbulay that ended in 2017 after nine seasons.

Ayesha is all set to feature in a period drama directed by Kamran Shahid and a love story titled Kaaf Kangana by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar.

Dream role: “A biopic, maybe on the life of Nazia Hassan or Marilyn Monroe.”

Fahad Mustafa

Possessing a magnificent persona and incredible screen presence that is enough to keep people glued to the screen, Fahad Mustafa with time has become a household name owing to his regular appearances in TV dramas and his game show hosting stint. He has become one of the most bankable stars in Pakistan, after unlocking success in dramas like Main Abdul Qadir Hoon and Kankar. He also helmed hit movies like Actor in Law where he appeared alongside veteran Indian actor Om Puri. He recently achieved unfathomable success after appearing in a comic role in the sequel to 2015’s Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.

Dream role: “I’d love to play the aam aadmi (common man) on screen.”

Mehwish Hayat

Known for her astounding versatility, Mehwish Hayat is a model-actor who needs no introduction. Starring in diverse roles, from that of a woman combatting patriarchy in Dil Lagi and the mega-hit Punjab Nahi Jaungi, to a nautch girl in Na Maloom Afraad, Mehwish’s skill knows no limits.

Having featured in three of Pakistan’s highest grossers of all time, she is also considered the most saleable film star today. Mehwish also tried her luck at singing when she crooned for Coke Studio some time back. She also aspires to play the “first Muslim superheroine” in the future.

Dream role: “I’d love to play Cleopatra and Mughal-e-Azam’s Anarkali.”

Sheheryar Munawar

A graduate in business who later went on to become not just the nation’s heartthrob but a multi-dimensional, multi-layered actor after his successful break as Aaliyan in TV series Aasmanon Pay Likha, Sheheryar Munawar is elegance and poise personified. The fact that he works both behind and in front of the lens makes him stand out from his contemporaries. He is a huge fan of films directed by Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese and is all set to release his second venture as producer and lead actor Paray Hut Love.

Dream role: “Marlon Brando’s role in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Daniel Day-Lewis’s in There Will Be Blood.”

Maya Ali

A girl next door on screen who claims to be #filmi in real life, Maya is better known as Zara from her drama Aunn Zara. As someone who obsesses over movies, she would love to get away to the Swiss alps, similarly like DDLJ’s Simran. Maya’s last TV venture Mann Mayal earned her massive success and acclaim as the drama went on to rake record-smashing TRP’s. Her cinematic debut in Teefa in Trouble alongside Ali Zafar is one of the biggest films to release this year. Her upcoming venture Paray Hut Love is a rom-com that she is shooting in Turkey.

Dream role: “A differently-abled character like Rani Mukerji’s in Black or Priyanka Chopra’s in Barfi. I would love to explore my range as a performer.”