Humayun Saeed believes Bollywood films should be screened in Pakistan

In a recent interview, the Pakistani star shares insights on memorable roles, new ventures, and life beyond the camera

Pakistani heartthrob and versatile star Humayun Saeed recently sat down for a candid chat with host Vasay Chaudhry on his popular talk show, Gup Shab. Saeed, known for hit serials like Meray Paas Tum Ho, opened up about his fitness regimen, future projects, experiences with fans, and more.

The interview kicked off with the hosts inquiring about the actor's fitness, noting that he looks slimmer nowadays. Saeed revealed that he has started high-intensity workouts and running to stay in shape, preparing for an upcoming project. "I don't like going to gyms normally, but these days I am pushing myself and doing hardcore weight training and cardio to get in top form," he shared.

When asked if he is gearing up for a specific role, Saeed hinted that there is a new venture in the works but remained vague on the details. "I am working on a project titled Gentleman with writer Khalilur Rehman Qamar. Beyond that, you'll have to wait and see," he said with a smile.

Co-host Areej brought up Saeed's tendency to play characters that roles with a tragic ending in projects like Mehndi and Meray Paas Tum Ho. "Why do your dramas and films always end with your death?" she asked bluntly. Saeed laughed good-naturedly at the question before thoughtfully responding. "It's true that many of my iconic roles have involved emotional death scenes. I would say maybe 30% of my major projects, the character dies at the end. But those also tend to be the super-hit serials that people remember for years," he analyzed.

Elaborating on his preparation process for filming emotionally intense death scenes, he said, "For the finale of Meray Paas Tum Ho, I actually died twice! When Danish suffered a heart attack, I wanted audiences to feel shocked, like he might not make it. Then in the hospital scene with his son, the emotions had to be very different, more sentimental. That scene was added after the initial filming by Khalil Sahab."

While avoiding spoilers on whether his next drama character meets a tragic fate, Saeed did share his perspective. "I don't choose roles based on if I'll die at the end. What matters most to me is an impactful, well-written story. Whether cinema or TV, if the script resonates, I'm on board," he stated.

Delving into his early days, Saeed revealed his childhood dream was not acting, but aviation. "I wanted to be a steward because I loved traveling," he reminisced. Over time, his cinematic interests won over. "I enjoyed thrillers and horror films. Even now, if I find a solid scary movie concept, I'd love to try making one," he shared.

Having played cricket captain Shahid Afridi on screen, Saeed said he was humbled when Afridi praised the biopic Mein Hoon Shahid Afridi. "He actually told me it should have been named Main Hoon Humayun Saeed instead!" Saeed recalled.

Reflecting on his decades-long career, the actor said he does not differentiate between films and dramas when selecting projects. "For me, it's always about finding an impactful story. Though shooting a drama series often involves a greater time commitment, which can be draining," he admitted.

Addressing whether he feels pressure to maintain his stardom over younger actors, Saeed brushed off concerns. "The concept that you lose relevance with age is going away, at least in Pakistan's entertainment scene. If the acting and script quality are solid, people will connect to characters of any age," he stated.

Prompted by the hosts to share any wild fan encounters, Saeed described one particularly dedicated admirer. "There was this young woman who showed up at my house many years ago, insisting she wouldn't leave without marrying me! Although I was quite scared at the moment, we still laugh about it now," he said lightheartedly.

On a serious note, the Crown star expressed profound gratitude for his loyal followers. "My fans have enabled this career—allowing me to expand into producing, directing, and owning a clothing brand. Their passion motivates me daily," Saeed noted.

When fellow actor Ahmed Ali Butt's name came up, Humayun quipped that casting Butt is a "majboori (obligation)" owing to his impeccable comedic timing. "There are certain offbeat, humorous roles where I tell directors, just get Ahmed. He nails it every time," Saeed raved.
Comparing the writers who have helped him bring iconic characters to life, Saeed highlighted Khalil ur Rehman Qamar's prowess with hard-hitting romantic dramas and Wasay Chaudhry's comedy chops. "Both gentlemen have such distinctive styles and strengths," he remarked diplomatically.

In closing out the interview, Saeed gamely participated in the hosts' rapid-fire round where he shared a few surprise preferences. Asked who should portray him if there is ever a biopic on his life, he named actor-singer Shaan without hesitation. When quizzed if any girl has left him heartbroken like Meray Paas Tum Ho's iconic breakup scene, he admitted laughing, "There was one childhood crush who rejected me—I moped for a while as a teen!"

While he refrained from making outright comparisons between Pakistani and Indian entertainment industries, Saeed acknowledged, "We make fewer films overall compared to Bollywood. So economically, it helps our cinema owners to screen Indian films."

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