Humayun doesn't care if you think he is too old to be a hero

Star responds to people trolling him over his age

Men in their fifties need not worry that they are past their prime, because as A-lister Humayun Saeed has proved in his latest film, any older gentleman can play a love guru if he really puts his mind to it. Or at least, he can if he has occupied the shoes of a leading man as long as Humayun has, regardless whatever naysayers may have to say about his age.

"I've been a hero for a very long time, and I've been around for a long time," remarked Humayun during a recent appearance on Vasay Chaudhry's show as the pair discussed the former's new release Love Guru, with Chaudhry, incidentally, also serving as screenwriter for the Eidul Azha rom-com.

In his own defence about consistently nabbing the coveted 'hero' role despite the wealth of younger actors in the industry, Humayun also pointed out, "My movies also have Fahad Mustafa and Hamza Ali Abbasi." Radiating a relaxed confidence, the star mused that since he has been in showbiz for so long, any criticisms fans (or trolls) have about his age have little to no impact on him.

"Let them target me if they want to!" declared Humayun with spirit. Keeping his ego in check, however, the star exuded an air of surprise when faced with a compliment on his dancing in the film. "Did that look like dancing to you?" he asked wryly.

Humayun may remain unbothered by those who feel he is too old to play a hero, but he did concede that he found it tiring when filming had wrapped up and the time had come to put in the hours to promote Love Guru before the world.

"Promotion is harder than filming. It looks as though I'm enjoying it, but it's a lot of hard work!" admitted the actor. "There was so much travelling involved, as well as changing outfits – sometimes two or three times in a day. It takes its toll. Before this film, when I would be promoting anything, I would spend the whole day in one outfit, but when the heroine [costar Mahira Khan] is changing outfits, I have to keep up and change as well!"

Despite the physical toll of dancing and promoting, however, there was a moment of lightness that Humayun said would remain with him: the sense of humour of Love Guru cast member Ahmad Ali Butt.

"Ahmad Butt kept the laughter rolling on set," noted Humayun. Lavishing praise on his fellow actor, hinting that this was the reason he continued to work with Ahmad in the first place, the star added, "Not only does he have talent, he also keeps me entertained!"