Famous Pakistani Film & Theater Personalities

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan began her career as a VJ with MTV and is best known for her award-winning performance in the telenovela Humsafar. She also gained fame with her Bollywood movie Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The divorced mother of one was on BBC's 100 Women in 2010.

Fawad Khan is a Pakistani actor, model, singer, screenwriter, and producer. A prominent actor known for his contribution to films and TV, Khan has received several prestigious awards, including a Filmfare Award and Lux Style Awards. A well-known philanthropist, Fawad Khan has helped raise funds for many charitable organizations across Pakistan.

Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane is best known for her performances in serials such as Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si and Aahista Aahista. She also appeared in the Bollywood romantic tragedy Sanam Teri Kasam. She co-owns a clothing line and is equipped with a law degree from the University of London.

Famed Indian lyricist, poet, author, screenwriter, and film director Gulzar has been a major figure in Bollywood for over six decades. He started doing odd jobs as a teenager and eventually entered films, where he made a name for himself as a lyricist and screenwriter. He soon started directing films as well. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards.

Pakistani actor Sajal Ali soared to fame with her performances in films such as Mohabbat Jaye Bhar Mein and Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah. She later made her Lollywood debut with the film Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay and soon stepped into Bollywood with the Sridevi starrer Mom.

The man who revolutionized the Bollywood romantic film genre, Yash Chopra was a legendary filmmaker who gave Hindi cinema some of its most cult films, such as Kabhi Kabhie, Deewar, Darr, and Lamhe. The Padma Bhushan winner was also honored by the Swiss government for popularizing the country through his films.

Noor Jehan was a Pakistani actress and playback singer. In a career spanning over 60 years, she is estimated to have sung around 20,000 songs. One of the most important Pakistani singers of all time, Noor Jehan is also widely regarded as one of the most influential and greatest South Asian singers of all time.

Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar has been quite successful in Bollywood and has even earned a Filmfare nomination. Best known for his performance in the film Dear Zindagi, the actor had begun his career with Pakistani TV serials. A philanthropist, too, he has his own charitable foundation.

Popular Pakistani actor and model Ayeza Khan soared to fame with serials such as Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai and Mere Paas Tum Ho. In 2022, she became the first Pakistani star to gain 12 million followers on Instagram. She is married to actor-model Danish Taimoor and is a mother of two.

While fans named her Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian, social-media celebrity Qandeel Baloch made headlines when she was strangled to death by her brother for bringing dishonor to her conservative Muslim family. Qandeel was known for her outrageous antics, such as promising a strip-tease if the Pakistani cricket team won against India.

Humayun Saeed is a Pakistani actor and producer, counted amongst the highest-paid TV actors in the country. He has a bachelor’s degree in commerce and worked in a garments company before becoming an actor. He has appeared in numerous TV shows and a handful of films. He is a co-founder of the media production house Six Sigma Plus.   

Geeta Bali was an Indian actress best remembered for her work in Hindi language films. Bali appeared in over 70 movies in a career spanning more than a decade. Geeta Bali's acting career was cut short when she died at age 35 due to smallpox.

Sanam Saeed is a Pakistani singer, actress, and former model. Saeed is best known for playing Kashaf Murtaza in a TV series titled Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which earned her many awards including the Lux Style Award. In 2019, Sanam Saeed was adjudged Pride of Pakistan by Daily Times.

Zeba Bakhtiar is a Pakistani actress and television director. She is best known for her performance in the 1995 musical film Sargam, for which she won the Nigar Award under the Best Actress category. Zeba Bakhtiar also participates in campaigns to create awareness about diabetes.

Pakistani actor, producer and former-model Imran Abbas commenced his showbiz career with modelling. He has featured in several Pakistani television serials, telefilms and films and gained attention starring in Pakistani television serials like Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan and Khuda Aur Muhabbat. His Bollywood debut happened with the film Creature 3D that earned him Filmfare Award nomination for Best Male Debut category.

One of Pakistan’s most popular actresses, Mehwish Hayat is the daughter of popular TV actor Rukhsar Hayat. The National Civil Award and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz-winning actor is also a talented singer. She is best known for her blockbuster hit films such as Load Wedding and has also starred in series such as Ru Baru.

Hania Aamir is a Pakistani actress best known for her work in Pakistani TV serials, such as Phir Wohi Mohabbat, Mere Humsafar, and Sang-e-Mah. Her portrayal of Alishba Ashar in Phir Wohi Mohabbat earned her a Hum Award in 2018. Hania Aamir has also earned critical acclaim for her performances in serials like Titli, Dil Ruba, and Anaa.

Pakistani actor Veena Malik gained fame with her female-centric roles in films such as Kabhi Pyar Na Karna. She later also appeared in Bollywood films and the Indian reality show Bigg Boss. She once got a 26-year prison sentence for appearing in a blasphemous program, though she didn’t serve the sentence.

Arfa Karim was a Pakistani computer prodigy. She became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in 2004 and held the title until 2008. She represented Pakistan on various international forums and received Pakistan's highest literary award, the Presidential Pride of Performance, in 2005. The bright young girl suffered from ill health and died at the age of just 16. 

Yumna Zaidi is a Pakistani actress best known for her contribution to the Urdu-television industry in Pakistan. One of the most important and popular television actresses of her generation, Yumna Zaidi is renowned for her versatility. Zaidi is also one of the most decorated actresses of her generation, having won three Lux Style Awards so far in her career.

Sara Loren is a Pakistani model and actress best known for her work in Hindi and Urdu language films. In 2013, she won the Tarang Housefull Award for her portrayal of Anjum Hayat Khan in a telefilm titled Anjuman. Sara Loren achieved popularity in India in 2015 when she played the title role in a Bollywood romantic film titled Barkhaa.

Pakistani actor and presenter Sanam Baloch is known for her award-winning roles in serials such as Dastaan and Sehra Teri Pyas. She has also hosted programs such as Morning with Hum. She married Samaa TV host Abdullah Farhatullah, though the couple separated a few years later, following which she remarried.

Somy Ali is a Pakistani-American actress, model, writer, filmmaker, and activist. She is best known for her work in Bollywood films. Also an activist, Somy Ali is credited with founding a non-profit organization called No More Tears, which aims at protecting women from domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Humaima Malik is a Pakistani model and actress. She is best known for playing imporant roles in popular TV serials like Ishq Junoon Deewangi and Akbari Asghari. Humaima Malik has also played leading roles in films like Raja Natwarlal and Dekh Magar Pyaar Say.

Neelam Muneer is a Pakistani actor who began her career as a teenaged model and is now known for her performances in serials such as Dil Mom Ka Diya and Umm-e-Haniya, with the former earning her a Lux Style Award nomination. She has also starred in films such as Chupan Chupai and Chakkar.

Pakistani actress, comedian, singer and playwright Bushra Iqbal, recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz award and Pride of Performance award, commenced her career as child artist. Over the years, she has worked in several films, telefilms and television shows and is best-known for appearing in some of the most-watched shows of PTV, including the sketch-comedy series Fifty Fifty and the satirical-drama Angan Terha.    

Pakistani actress-model-singer Ayesha Omar, regarded a style icon, is counted among the most-famous and highest-paid actresses of her country. She gained-prominence starring in the Pakistani series Bulbulay. Moving on, she bolstered her career starring in series like Zindagi Gulzar Hai and films like Karachi Se Lahore; and with the album Khamoshi that won her Lux Style Award for Best Album.  

Ahmed Ali Akbar is a Pakistani actor and former tennis player. He is best known for his portrayal of Adeel Alam in the 2019 action crime thriller film Laal Kabootar for which he received the Best Film Actor award at the Lux Style Awards.

Pakistani actor Ushna Shah rose to fame with serials such as Bashar Momin and Thoda Sa Aasman. The York University alumna also starred in Pakistan’s first online comedy, Oye Kuch Kar Guzar. Her performance in the serial Alif Allah Aur Insaan won her a Hum Award for the best negative role.

British-Pakistani actor and singer Salma Agha was 9 when she moved from Pakistan to Britain. She later soared to fame with the Bollywood film Nikaah and its hit track Dil Ke Armaan, which won her a Filmfare for Best Female Playback. She was once married to Pakistani squash star Rahmat Khan.

The daughter of famous Pakistani journalist and author Hameed Akhtar, actor Saba Hameed is known for her roles in serials such as Kahin Deep Jaley and Fitoor. She has usually been seen playing a mother on screen. The Pride of Performance winner has also won a PTV Award for the sitcom Family Front.

Shaan Shahid is a Pakistani actor, model, film director, writer, and producer. One of the most popular and highest-paid actors of Pakistan, Shahid has won several prestigious awards like the National Film Awards, Nigar Awards, ARY Film Award, and Lux Style Awards. In 2007, Shaan Shahid was honored with the Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan.

Hareem Farooq is a Pakistani actress and film producer. She is best known for her portrayal of Arjumand Suhaib Khan in the television serial Diyar-e-Dil. In 2018, Hareem Farooq became the first woman to host the Pakistan Super League.

Legendary Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan was equally proficient in tennis and swimming in childhood. Known as a dependable opening batsman, he later married Bollywood actor Reena Roy and acted in a few Hindi films, too, such as Batwara and Saathi, earning a Filmfare nomination for the former.

Osman Khalid Butt is a Pakistani actor, choreographer, and writer. Butt is best known for playing important roles in highly popular and successful TV series like Diyar-e-Dil, Baaghi, Ehd-e-Wafa, and Chupke Chupke. Over the years, Osman Khalid Butt has won several prestigious awards such as Hum Awards and Pakistan Excellence Award.

Momal Sheikh is a Pakistani actress and film producer. She is best known for her work in television. Over the years, Momal Sheikh has played important roles in popular TV series such as Silsilay, Yaariyan, and Damsa. 

Sohai Ali Abro is a Pakistani actress, model, and dancer. She is best known for her work in Pakistani films and television serials. She achieved popularity in 2016 when she played Zoya in an adventure comedy film titled Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, for which she received the ARY Film Award for Best Actress.

Best known for her track Lambi Judai from the Bollywood film Hero, Pride of Performance-winning Pakistani folk singer Reshma was popular both in Pakistan and India. Born into a gypsy family in Rajasthan in British India, she had no formal education. She sang at shrines and was scouted at age 12.

Meesha Shafi is a Pakistani-born Canadian actress, model, artist, and singer. She is best known for her portrayal of Laxmi in a 2013 Pakistani action-thriller film titled Waar, which earned her an ARY Film Award under the Best Supporting Actress category. Waar remains one of the highest-grossing films in Pakistan.

Syra Yousuf is a Pakistani actress, model, and former VJ. She is best known for her portrayal of Resham in a 2017 Pakistani romance film titled Chalay Thay Saath, for which she received the Galaxy Lollywood Award under the Best Female Debut category.

Reema Khan is a Pakistani TV host and former actress, director, producer, and stage dancer. She achieved immense popularity during the 1990s, becoming one of the top actresses of the decade. Reema Khan, who has appeared in over 200 films, was honored with the prestigious Pride of Performance Award for her contributions to Pakistani films.