Impressionist Waheed Lala discusses satire, social media fame and creative boundaries

Viral sensation, impressionist, and comedian Waheed Lala sat down for a candid conversation that offered a masterclass in the survival mechanics of modern comedy. From navigating gender-bending character parodies to analysing the shift from network television to raw social media clout, Lala did not hold back.

While the podcast peeled back the layers of Lala’s creative philosophy, it also explored his famous Humayun Saeed impression. Lala revealed that the secret is not just the voice, but a spatial discipline of breath and body language.

“Nabeel originally approached me for a dubbing project for Humayun. The key to capturing him is understanding his unique delivery style. It’s about finding that specific weight in the chest voice and the effortless leading-man gravitas,” he said.

Lala also addressed the cultural friction his comedy sometimes generates. The podcast tackled the debate surrounding veteran actor Bushra Ansari’s public disapproval of male comedians mimicking female public figures.

He responded to the veteran’s critique with a respectful deflection, balancing deference to senior artists with a defence of his craft and marginalised communities.

“I was not expecting Bushra baji to say that a transgender man or a male artist doing female mimicry shouldn’t happen, especially since she has crossed artistic boundaries masterfully herself,” he said, adding that he takes no offence.

“But tell me this: are transgender individuals not human beings? Is their reality not worth reflecting in art?” he added.

Lala also showcased his social media staples during one of the segments, slipping into the high-energy persona of Suneel Munj before shifting into a hyper-stylised, dramatic interpretation of Mahira Khan.

When asked about creative territories he still hopes to explore beyond short-form digital sketches, Lala revealed a surprising cinematic ambition: working in a local zombie film.

Expressing a strong connection to mainstream domestic television dramas, Lala said he wants to blend horror with Pakistani social satire, using a zombie apocalypse as a canvas to reflect everyday cultural tropes.

Ultimately, the episode framed mimicry not as a cheap parlour trick but, as the host described it, “the highest form of compliment an artist can receive.”