I stood no chance: Why Syed Jibran made sure his wife didn't meet Humayun Saeed till they married

Pakistani actor Syed Jibran sat down for a heartfelt interview with host Imran Ashraf at a talk show where he delved into his relationship’s journey with wife Afifa Jibran. Having tied the knot in 2011, the actor recounted how their romance began with an unexpected cameo from the showbiz star Humayun Saeed.

Jibran shared how he met his future wife at a London airport on his way to a project. “I saw her first at Heathrow Airport in London,” he revealed. “I was there for a shoot with Humayun Saeed when I became friends with her (Afifa).”

However, Humayun was soon to become an intimidating force for young Jibran who disclosed how he endeavoured to keep Afifa away from the Bin Roye actor. “For the ten, twelve days we stayed there, she would ask me to invite her [to the shoot] but I would keep her away from Humayun bhai,” he humorously relayed.

When prompted to state the obvious, Jibran laughed and admitted to feeling apprehensive about Humayun’s star power and how that might influence his chances with Afifa. He said, “He is Humayun Saeed and I am just Syed Jibran so I stand no chance in front of him.”

Singing praises of his wife, the actor expressed gratitude that everything worked out well and the couple was able to build a loving and lasting relationship. Jibran also explained why they married within eight months of meeting and seeing each other, emphasising the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship. The couple has two daughters and one son.

From medical school to acting, Jibran’s foray into showbiz was not always planned. In a previous interview, the Pehchaan actor recalled how a bet catapulted him into the world of acting. “I made a bet of a hundred rupees with a friend that I would come on television,” he shared. From begging Laila Zuberi at the airport to approaching Shahzad Gul for work on television, this seemingly casual wager turned his life around. 

According to Jibran, “For a successful hero, you need fitness. Now, both things are needed in a package." He acknowledged the evolving role of villains, stating, "Now, the villain is so powerful in a story that instead of a hero, he pushes the story forward." His admission of stage fright and discomfort facing a large audience revealed a vulnerable side behind the confident actor seen on screen.

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