Latest news with #HumayunSaeed
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Local hero, Netflix star
If there is any showbiz star who knows a thing or two about representing Pakistan internationally through his line of work, it is Humayun Saeed. Or, as viewers abroad may call him, Dr Hasnat in Season 5 of Netflix royal drama The Crown. But although his reputation as an A-lister is cemented in his home country, Humayun stressed in an interview on YouTube channel Filme Shilmy that during his time on The Crown, he felt the weight of representing Pakistan before the eyes of the rest of the world. "Representation is so important whenever we have to go outside our country," mused the star, who made his post-Crown comeback last year with a lead role in Gentleman after having been away from screens for nearly two years. "Take The Crown. That character was an important one, and I gave it my all. I took a lot of time with it, and it was at the forefront of my mind that the whole world would be watching this." Despite the pressure of global expectations and the eyes of the world, however, the actor praised the work environment and the professionalism of his colleagues, whom he credited for going the extra mile to ensure his comfort. "There was pressure, but I'm glad that the people who worked with me were very good," noted Humayun. They knew I had come from another country and was working in another language." Humayun went on to hint, however, that professionalism is a two-way street. "I gave it my all, and this is where our respect comes from – the work ethic we have when we go elsewhere," he pointed out. Lauding, in turn, the work ethic of those on set, the actor continued, "I saw that everything was happening on time, everyone was punctual and working quietly, and everyone's priority was to complete the work every day." Stopping just short of commenting on punctuality and efficiency on sets in Pakistan, Humayun went on to concede, "Of course, we have that here as well, but maybe we make some mistakes. But the thing is, they do not make those mistakes." What's in a name? Alongside his Bin Roye co-star, Mahira Khan, Humayun is currently in the throes of promoting his upcoming Eidul Azha romantic comedy Love Guru. In the same interview, Humayun recalled that he had been warned to refrain from being in any sort of offering going by that particular name, at the risk of being tainted by association after a previous film also called Love Guru had flopped. "There used to be a film that wasn't very good called Love Guru, and someone told me I shouldn't take on this particular film – but our film is good!" he insisted with conviction. Brushing aside the importance of the name of a production, Humayun maintained, "People are interested in films. If you make a good movie, and if people like it, then they start to like the name as well!" And of course, the star also has the evidence to back up his beliefs about films and their respective names. "I made a movie called Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and everyone said, 'What kind of name is this? This is not a good name for a film!' But then when that film became a hit, everyone would say that it was because it had a catchy name!" In other words: any title is only as good as the film itself. "When a film is good, the name is also a hit," concluded Humayun firmly. Delving deeper into the film itself and giving insight into his performance, the star discussed the art of delivering his lines when the viewers are in on a secret, but the characters are in the dark. "The shades of this character – sometimes I don't always understand how to talk like him, because I myself don't talk like that," he admitted. "But I would go to [director Nadeem Baig] and he would guide me and advise me about the timing. So I would copy Nadeem! The thing is, this film doesn't have that much comedy. I needed to add a few nuances so that the characters can't tell that he is lying, but the audience can." Mahira's personal touch Sitting alongside Humayun, fellow A-lister and Love Guru leading lady Mahira, known for picking up non-conformist roles, had her own thoughts on what makes her character tick and how she brought shades of herself to the part. "The first time you read a script, you read it as you," began Mahira. "And then you pick on things in the script. And the director says, 'This is not you, this is a character!'" Admitting that it isn't always practical to view a character through one's own lens, Mahira added "Sometimes it's not needed, sometimes it's not the character, and you have to surrender to it." When it comes to Love Guru itself, however, Mahira is adamant that this her onscreen persona is one that audiences can get behind and fall in love with – and yes, this time, she was able to convince director Nadeem to view the role through her own lens to add richness and subtlety to her character. "In this film, she is a girl of today," explained Mahira. "She is a true blue feminist and someone who is always on the right side of the spectrum. I would go to Nadeem and say, 'She wouldn't say this about another girl!' And he would agree and say, 'You're right, let's change it.' So yes, I do bring this to the table." Looking back on her former roles, Mahira mused that she is now in a place where she does not feel she owes it to herself to take on characters carrying an important message, as opposed to the relatively "easy-breezy" lighter character she has taken on board in Love Guru. "When I was younger, I was so hell bent on just doing that," she recalled. "I remember I had a few choices and I went for Verna, because I felt the subject was so important and I needed to be a part of it. At that time, even though I was offered roles that were easy breezy, I thought, 'No, I have to do this first.'" Now, however, Mahira feels unshackled from her own expectations. "I've had a kind of switch," she affirmed. "If I don't do it now, then when will I do it? But I don't look at it that way. if you know what I mean. I don't think, 'Oh this is easy breezy, and this is heavy'. Now it's just about what attracts me and what is offered to me." Will viewers find Mahira's easy-breezy character as palatable as the woman bringing her to life? There is not long to go before we find out.
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Pakistani stars of Love Guru, Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, on filming in the UAE
Humayun Saeed are reuniting for the first time in a decade with the romantic comedy Love Guru, a Pakistani film releasing in time for Eid Al Adha. The pair, who last starred together in the 2015 romantic drama Bin Roye, were recently in Dubai to promote the family entertainer. They had earlier shot the song Aa Tenu in the emirate, featuring several locations including the Palm Jumeirah. 'The UAE feels like home,' Khan tells The National. 'It's a melting pot of so many cultures, and it never feels like I've left home. What is amazing and beautiful about the UAE is that it is a common ground for so many people. Nationality and stuff like that gets left behind, and I love that it is so safe for women.' Directed by Nadeem Baig, Love Guru is named after Saeed's character, a Casanova and 'professional break-up artist', who falls head over heels for architect Sophia, Khan's character. Saeed, who is also a producer on the 280 million Pakistan rupee (Dh3.66 million) film, is counting on Khan and his popularity to turn the film into a success. 'I want people to like the film. If that happens, you recover,' he says candidly. 'When I made Main Hoon Shahid Afridi [a film he starred in and produced in 2013], I learnt a lot about failure. But my subsequent successful films Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi helped me gain confidence. I just pray everything goes well, and it usually does. Inshallah, this will work, too.' A major star in Pakistan, Saeed was also in the fifth season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown, in which he played Dr Hasnat Khan, a surgeon who had a relationship with Princess Diana. Both he and Khan share a passion for their work. 'I love doing what I do. Even if it's one project a year, I have to keep working,' Khan says. One of the most influential stars in Pakistan, Khan is often in the spotlight for her vocal stance on several hot topic issues. She was the first major star to publicly call out Pakistani screenwriter Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar for verbally abusing a female journalist during a televised debate in 2020. Qamar, who was widely criticised for his comments, responded by saying he committed a 'sin' by working with Khan. The incident was recently revived during the promotional tour for Love Guru. Comments by Khan saying she could have handled the situation better and more privately have led to her being accused of backtracking. 'I was scared to open my social media today. My manager told me: 'You speak and say things from the heart and you expect people to take it in the same vein. You also expect everyone to understand the nuance of what you've said,'' Khan says. 'So I either go completely silent for a while or I step up. And when I choose to be vocal, there will always be these kinds of reactions, like 'I can't believe she said this' or 'Did she just say we should do this or that?'. 'Whatever it is, I will stand by what I'm saying. Because for now, this is what I feel.'
Arab News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani superstars Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed honored in UAE amid ‘Love Guru' promotions
KARACHI: Pakistani superstar actors Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, currently in the UAE to promote their upcoming romantic comedy 'Love Guru,' were honored at a special ceremony by Pakistani Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the envoy's office said on Tuesday. Khan and Saeed have recently toured the US, UK and Canada for red carpet events, fan meet-and-greets and exclusive press interviews to promote Love Guru, which will hit cinemas during the Eid Al-Adha holiday next month. 'During the ceremony, Ambassador Tirmizi presented commemorative shields to the artists, celebrating their dedication and achievements,' the Pakistan Embassy in the UAE said in a statement. 'In his remarks, the ambassador highlighted Pakistan's rich cultural and artistic diversity, underscoring the vital role of the creative industry as a form of soft power in shaping global perception of Pakistan.' Love Guru made history last week when its trailer was showcased at New York City's Times Square, the first time a Pakistani film has ever been featured on the landmark's giant digital screens. The trailer launch attracted a crowd of onlookers, fans, and members of the South Asian diaspora who gathered to watch the film's stars unveil the preview in person. In the upcoming film, Saeed plays the character of a flirt pretending to be a relationship expert who is striving to win over Khan, who is playing an architect.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira Khan faces crowd unrest in London due to security failures
Listen to article Pakistani actress Mahira Khan was met with an unruly crowd and apparent security lapses during a promotional appearance for her upcoming film at the Indo-Pak Supermarket in Ilford, East London. The event, also attended by co-star Humayun Saeed, soon descended into disorder as the growing crowd overwhelmed limited security arrangements. Eyewitnesses described instances of aggressive behaviour, with some individuals reportedly breaching the actress's personal space as she attempted to enter the venue. While the event began smoothly, the situation quickly spiralled out of control as crowd numbers swelled and security arrangements proved inadequate. Several young men in the crowd reportedly acted inappropriately. Footage circulating on social media shows Mahira Khan appearing visibly distressed as she was jostled while trying to enter the store. Some individuals allegedly attempted to touch her inappropriately amid the crowd surge. Despite the disruption, Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed proceeded to the rooftop terrace for a scheduled appearance to greet fans, Express News reported. However, video footage circulating online shows at least three individuals pushing towards the actress in a visibly unmanaged setting.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira Khan responds to 'Raees' poster removal: 'I couldn't care less'
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who starred alongside Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 blockbuster film Raees, has finally broken her silence over the removal of her image from the film's promotional materials in India. While promoting her upcoming Eidul Azha release Love Guru with co-star Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan was asked about her reaction to the decision by Indian distributors to edit her out of Raees posters. Responding with calm confidence, she said, 'It didn't bother me at all. In fact, I laughed. It was such a petty and ridiculous move.' Mahira added that Pakistani artists have every reason to feel proud of their own thriving entertainment industry. 'There's so much to be happy about in our own film industry,' she stated. Actor Humayun Saeed also weighed in, calling the action reflective of 'a very small-minded mentality.' Several Pakistani actors were removed from album artwork for Indian film soundtracks on several major music platforms, including Spotify and YouTube Music in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, which saw the Narendra Modi-led Indian government place a blanket ban on Pakistani artists working in Indian media. This ban included removing Pakistani actors and singers from film songs, posters, and even restricting their content on Indian platforms, such as YouTube channels and social media accounts. Mahira's role in Raees, one of the last major Bollywood films to feature a Pakistani actor, had become symbolic of the cross-border cultural divide.
