KARACHI: With Love Guru hitting screens last month and Main Manto Nahi Hoon set to air this Friday, veteran actor and producer Humayun Saeed is once again in the spotlight. Appearing on a Podcast this week, Saeed opened up about his journey, passion for cinema, and what continues to motivate him to entertain Pakistani audiences.
Saeed recounted his humble beginnings, sharing that before entering the entertainment industry, he was working as a general manager at a factory. “My brother was paralysed at the time and I needed the money. The factory taught me discipline,” he recalled. It was during a staff party performance that his boss, a part-time model, recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue acting. Saeed landed his first TV drama, Karoron Ka Aadmi, in 1995.
However, he initially kept his acting a secret from his conservative father. “He was a religious man and wouldn’t have approved. I kept it hidden until people started telling him, ‘Your son looked good on TV,’” Saeed said with a laugh.
While his acting career began unexpectedly, Saeed soon found himself receiving regular offers. “I left my job and transitioned into acting full-time,” he said.
Beyond acting, Saeed became one of the pioneers in reviving Pakistani cinema. He produced Main Hoon Shahid Afridi in 2013, followed by Jawani Phir Nahi Aani in 2015. “People doubted these projects. I invested Rs700,000 in the first and didn’t get much return, but I kept going,” he shared.
That persistence paid off. Jawani Phir Nahi Aani brought in Rs5 million at the box office. “It proved that audiences are willing to watch local films—if the content is good,” Saeed said.
Facing further challenges, Saeed took a risk on a solo lead film. “Everyone said, ‘Let’s see if you can pull it off alone,’” he recalled. The result? Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017), a massive success both at home and abroad.
His journey stands as a testament to resilience, belief, and the power of storytelling.
