Humayun Saeed Ansari (born 27 July 1971) is a Pakistani actor and producer renowned for his work on television and in cinema. Born into a Punjabi family in Karachi, he earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce at St. Patrick’s College, Karachi, and even worked as a general manager at a garment factory before entering show business. He began his career in the early 1990s as a television producer and soon transitioned to acting, making his on-screen debut in 1995 with the drama Karoron Ka Aadmi. Since then Saeed has built a prolific resume: he starred in dozens of serials and films, and co-founded major production companies. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in the modern Pakistani entertainment industry, a status reflected in multiple national awards and honors.
Early Life and Education
Saeed was born on 27 July 1971 in Karachi, Sindh. He attended St. Patrick’s College in Karachi and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Before showbiz, he worked in management at a Karachi garment factory, which he later recalled as a stepping-stone toward modeling and acting. Humayun has four younger brothers (one of whom, Salman Saeed, is also an actor), and in 1995 he married Samina Humayun Saeed.
Television Career
Saeed’s early career was rooted in television production. In the 1990s he collaborated with major producers (including Sultana Siddiqui and Abdullah Kadwani) on projects for PTV and other channels. He launched his acting career in 1995 with Karoron Ka Aadmi and quickly became a familiar face on TV dramas. His notable series include Mehndi (2003), Doraha (2008), Kaafir, Uraan and Hum Se Juda Na Hona, among others. In 2016 he co-starred in the romantic hit Dil Lagi, and in 2019 he led the blockbuster series Meray Paas Tum Ho. (For Meray Paas Tum Ho, he won the Pakistan International Screen Award for Best TV Actor in 2020.) Saeed’s long-running presence on television helped set trends in Urdu dramas. Notably, in 2022 he expanded into global streaming by being cast as Dr. Hasnat Khan (Princess Diana’s romantic partner) in Season 5 of Netflix’s The Crown.
Film Career
Humayun Saeed has been a pivotal figure in the revival of Pakistani cinema. He made his film debut in 1999 with Samina Peerzada’s Inteha (playing a negative role) and won the National Award for Best Actor. Although the Pakistani film industry went into decline in the early 2000s, Saeed continued acting and then producing until the wave of new Pakistani movies began around 2013. He co-produced and starred in Main Hoon Shahid Afridi (2013), a sports drama that became one of the first big commercial hits in the cinema revival. He followed with several box-office blockbusters: for example, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015) – a comedy caper he co-produced and led – became the highest-grossing Pakistani film of its time. Other hit films include Bin Roye (2015), Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri (2013), Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017) and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 (2018). In each case Saeed was a lead actor and often a producer, and these films cumulatively brought Pakistani cinema back to prominence. His more recent projects include London Nahi Jaunga (2022) and the upcoming comedy Love Guru. Across these successes, Saeed proved to be one of the industry’s most reliable box-office draws, frequently co-producing under his banner Six Sigma Plus (see below).
Producer and Business Ventures
Beyond acting, Saeed has built a strong business profile in the media industry. In the late 1990s he teamed up with other producers at 7th Sky Entertainment, and in the 2000s he launched his own company, Six Sigma Plus, with partner Shehzad Nasib. Under these banners he has produced numerous television serials (such as Makan, Manzil, Sarkar Sahab and others) and films (including all of the major titles above). Six Sigma Plus quickly became a top-tier production house in Pakistan, and Saeed has served on advisory boards (such as the London Pakistani Film Festival) that promote Pakistani content internationally. In short, he is widely credited not only as a leading actor but also as a media entrepreneur who helped modernize the industry’s business practices.
Notable Works
Humayun Saeed’s career encompasses many high-profile dramas and films. Selected titles include:
- Mehndi (TV, 2003) – family drama that was a ratings hit; Saeed played the lead (Shahzaib).
- Doraha (TV, 2008) – romantic drama (role: Umer), noted for its performances.
- Dil Lagi (TV, 2016) – romance/action series starring Saeed as Mohid; earned him critical acclaim and a Lux Style nomination.
- Meray Paas Tum Ho (TV, 2019) – record-breaking drama about love and betrayal; Saeed played Danish and won Best TV Actor at the Pakistan International Screen Awards.
- Main Hoon Shahid Afridi (Film, 2013) – sports drama (role: Coach Akbar) about cricket, one of the first hits of Pakistan’s new cinema wave.
- Bin Roye (Film, 2015) – romantic drama based on a popular novel; Saeed was lead actor (Irtaza) and co-producer.
- Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (Film, 2015) – comedy, broke box-office records; Saeed won Best Actor at ARY Film Awards for this role.
- Punjab Nahi Jaungi (Film, 2017) – romantic comedy (role: Fawad Khagga), another commercial blockbuster.
- Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 (Film, 2018) – sequel to JPNA, ensemble comedy (again as Sherry).
- London Nahi Jaunga (Film, 2022) – romantic comedy (role: Jameel) co-starring Mahira Khan.
Each of these projects was a mainstream hit in Pakistan, often on Eid or major holidays, and cemented Saeed’s reputation as a bankable star. (He also made several cameo and special appearances, such as in Baaji (2019) and Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God (voice, 2023).) In television, beyond those listed above he has appeared in many serials and telefilms that were widely watched, contributing to his image as a “performance powerhouse”.
Awards and Recognitions
Saeed’s work has earned him numerous awards across mediums. He has won multiple Lux Style Awards (often considered Pakistan’s top entertainment awards) for both acting and production. His film Jawani Phir Nahi Ani won 17 prizes at the 2016 ARY Film Awards (Pakistan’s film awards), including Best Actor for Saeed. In television he earned acting honors such as the Pakistan International Screen Award for Meray Paas Tum Ho (2020). In 2015 he was specially honored at the Pakistan Achievement Awards (UK & Europe) for his contributions to Pakistani culture. Perhaps his highest honor came in 2021, when he was awarded the Pride of Performance by the President of Pakistan (the country’s top civil award) for his services to entertainment. In sum, Saeed is often described as “one of the most decorated Pakistani actors,” with accolades spanning TV, film, and production.
Role in Reviving Pakistani Cinema
Humayun Saeed is widely credited as a central figure in the revival of Pakistani cinema in the 2010s. After decades of decline, the Pakistani film industry began producing a wave of quality blockbusters around 2013–2015, many of them involving Saeed as actor and producer. Industry insiders explicitly acknowledged his role: at the 4th Hum Awards in 2016, he received a special award for his “invaluable contribution towards revival of Pakistani cinema”. In interviews he has spoken openly about supporting other filmmakers and bringing everyone together. For example, in 2015 Saeed famously postponed his own birthday party to host a grand event celebrating the success of Pakistani films Bin Roye and Wrong No. 2 – saying “instead of celebrating my birthday, let’s celebrate the revival of Pakistani cinema”. The Express Tribune reported that he invited the casts of nearly every major upcoming film so that “the whole industry was there to come together” and share ideas. Such gestures, along with his string of hit projects, helped inspire confidence in investors and audiences. In essence, Saeed’s dual role as star and producer helped modernize film production in Pakistan, raising quality standards and drawing crowds back to cinemas. His efforts – whether through producing big-budget hits or publicly championing the industry – have had a lasting influence on Pakistani film.
Personal Life and Public Perception
Saeed is married to Samina Humayun Saeed, whom he wed in 1995. The couple are known to keep their private life fairly discreet. Notably, they have no children, a fact Saeed has described as “by Allah’s will” after some media scrutiny. Saeed has also repeatedly had to dispel tabloid rumors about his personal life: in 2024 he publicly refuted stories of multiple marriages (to actresses such as Ayesha Khan and Mishi Khan), emphasizing that he is “only married to Samina”. Despite such controversies, his public image remains strongly positive. He is frequently praised by colleagues for being generous and humble. For instance, veteran actor Javed Sheikh remarked that Saeed’s gesture of inviting everyone to his cinema-revival party was unprecedented in Pakistan’s industry. A leading newspaper even described Saeed as “a superstar in the truest sense” with “a heart of gold”, highlighting how widely he is admired. Fans and co-stars alike see him as a unifying figure – someone who will celebrate others’ successes as his own, stay out of petty feuds, and maintain professionalism on set. In short, Saeed enjoys a reputation as an affable superstar who has earned respect on and off the screen.
Legacy and Impact on the Industry
Humayun Saeed’s impact on Pakistani entertainment is profound and ongoing. By consistently delivering hit projects and high production values, he helped raise industry standards and showed that Pakistani films can compete commercially. He has often mentored or given breaks to younger talent through his productions, helping launch careers. His casting in a global series like The Crown (2022) underscores his international appeal and the wider recognition of Pakistani actors he has helped foster. Industry analysts credit Saeed with setting a template for balancing art and commerce: he proved that films with local flavor can become blockbusters, while still telling engaging stories. Even in his 50s, Saeed continues to headline ambitious new projects (such as upcoming action films and high-profile dramas), showing his enduring relevance. As one festival advisory board put it, Saeed’s career has made him “one of the most decorated Pakistani actors” and a key architect of modern Pakistani cinema. His legacy is evident in the vibrant film and TV landscape today: many of the hits and stars that define Pakistan’s entertainment scene trace back to Humayun Saeed’s influence, both in front of and behind the camera.
