Loved Fawad Khan in ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’? Here are his other 8 projects to watch!

Can’t get enough of the actor after watching Bilal Lashari's masterpiece? Watch these films and dramas next

KARACHI:

Easily one of the biggest household names in Pakistan, Fawad Khan has stolen hearts and exceeded expectations through his wide range of roles. From romance to action, the star has proven that he can do it all—and extremely well.

His most recent success, The Legend of Maula Jatt, shattered records, becoming Pakistan’s highest-grossing film and dominating theaters across the globe. Fawad aced his much-awaited return to the Pakistani big screen as he played the titular character, unlike any of his previous roles. He portrayed the morally gray, ruthless warrior with a complexity that left audiences enamored by his performance.

If you’re looking for more after watching The Legend of Maula Jatt, here are some other projects to keep you busy for the next few months:

Khuda Kay Liye

 

His show-stopping performance in Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye put him on the map. Though the 2007 film may feature a younger Fawad than what we’re used to, it’s fascinating to see how his acting has evolved from his debut venture to the more recent ones. The film follows Mansoor and Sarmad, two singers whose lives changed after the 9/11 attacks in America and the ordeal that followed them.

Humsafar

 

Fawad’s real claim to success came four years later, when he starred opposite Mahira Khan in the Pakistani television drama Humsafar. The actor's take on privileged and, at times, ignorant Ashar, who slowly develops into a mature and loving husband, was lauded by many. Although the show has now garnered some criticism for its toxic masculinity and Fawad's Ashar being an absolute red flag, no one can deny the fact that Humsafar will forevermore be known as the show that introduced us to the on-screen chemistry between the actor and Mahira.

Dastaan

 

Dastaan was the first project of its kind when it was taken up in 2010. Based on the true events of partition in 1947, the drama depicted the events of rioting and chaos in 1947. Fawad plays the role of Hassan, a proud supporter of the All-India Muslim League. The fan favorite spans several years as we see Fawad take Hassan’s character from a starry-eyed university student to a reserved man who has witnessed the countless horrors of partition.

Zindagi Gulzar Hai

 

From here on, the Pakistani actor's fame continued to skyrocket. His role as arrogant and flirtatious Zaroon in the 2012 drama serial, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, increased his popularity and even won him several awards. The story revolves around Zaroon and Kashaf (essayed by Sanam Saeed) as they navigate marriage, which involves compromise and love. The show was also praised for its strong female protagonist, contributing to its popularity among women.

Behadd

 

2013's Behadd chronicled the complex relationship between mother and child. Fawad plays Jamal, a slightly younger love interest in Nadia Jamil’s Masooma. The story follows Masooma, a single working mother who devoted her life to her possessive teenage daughter Maha, portrayed by Sajal Aly.

Khoobsurat

 

In 2014, Fawad was at the height of his career, which propelled him into Bollywood. His role as an uptight Rajput prince in the Sonam Kapoor starrer, Khubsoorat, captivated Pakistani and Indian audiences alike, and the chemistry between him and his Indian counterpart was palpable through the screen. The plot, coupled with quick and witty dialogue between the two leads, kept audiences at the edge of their seats. Fans and critics alike were quick to heap praise on the way Fawad was able to hold his own against big names in Bollywood, which earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

Kapoor & Sons

 

Arguably, his greatest and most memorable performance in India was in Kapoor & Sons in 2016, a movie that masterfully showcased the dynamics and consequences of a dysfunctional Asian household with family politics. Playing the role of the seemingly “perfect bacha” with some dark secrets, Fawad delivered another strong, critically acclaimed performance alongside co-actors Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra. Although he did not win the award, he was nominated for Best Supporting Male Actor the following year.

Ms. Marvel

 

When discussing his accomplishments across borders, we can’t overlook Fawad’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an episode of Ms. Marvel, a television series that chronicled the adventures of a teenage Pakistani American female superhero. Through Ms. Marvel, we also received a heartwarming taste of the exceptional chemistry between Fawad and Mehwish Hayat. While the episode that featured his character, Hasan, was largely well-received, fans wanted Fawad to have more screen time.

If you have made it through most of these films and shows and are waiting for new projects, you may not have to wait too long. Netflix’s first Pakistan-themed original will feature Fawad playing a Harvard graduate, leading a star-studded cast. Titled Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, the series is based on Farhat Ishtiaq’s bestselling 2013 Urdu novel by the same name. He will also reunite with Mahira Khan in the upcoming film, Neelofar.

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