Humayun Saeed: Master of his dream

By Anis Ahmed Shakur

Never before in modern Pakistani entertainment had one man risen so high so fast.

Within a short period of time, he became the awe and envy of the Pakistani public.

Below is an amiable look back at the life and accomplishments of Humayun Saeed.

Humayun was born into an enlightened family on July 27, 1971, in Karachi. Being the eldest amongst five brothers, his parents expected a lot from him.

As a child, he had a craze for movies. His favorite past time was to stand in front of a mirror and to fantasize being a film actor.

Though initially he seemed an ordinary kid, his zeal for acting set him apart from other children.

Such focused determination took that boy where he wanted to go—to the top.

In times due course, he successfully completed a bachelor of commerce degree.

Humayun stepped into the practical life as a production manager in a garment factory in Karachi. He stayed there from 1991- 1995.

By sheer determination, he drove himself forward.

As mentioned earlier, Humayun demonstrated an unusual aptitude for show business from his earlier days.

From 1995 onwards, he associated himself with Pakistani television. First he appeared as an artist in numerous television plays and drama serials.

Later, he started his own production, known as H.S. Production.

Side by side, Humayun also participated in modeling and fashion designing. Additionally, he also made his presence felt in the ‘Dalda’ advertisement.

If he has spared anything, then it must be imaginative enough to venture beyond his expertise. That scenario is highly unlikely. Considering Humayun’s enormous acting potential, brilliance and a very high I.Q.

A novice in television, Humayun was eager to learn and quickly mastered the techniques.

The first television play in which Humayun worked as an artist, was ‘Ye Jahan’.

He was famous for his looks, his etiquette and above all, for his impressive voice.

The masterpieces began to flow, as they would over several years. He received another boost in public awareness from more plays like ‘Farz Aik Qarz’, ‘Lahu say kar kay wuzu’ and ‘Waqt’.

Some of his television plays are an epic story of ordinary people trying to make it against all odds.

Humayun is as good as his word.

He was teamed up with Sonia Saeed, Perveen Malik, Ghazala Butt and others, in the play, ‘Shayad Kay Bahar Aaye’. Producer, Sultana Siddiqui, director, Rana Sheikh.

Humayun is not just an artist, He is an event.

Who else can give us so much pleasure now and hopefully for years to come?

He brings out all his emotions in plays like, ‘Ghazi Shaheed’, ‘Aaj’ and ‘Zeher’.

Presumably, the carrot that keeps him motivated is the glory of performance.

Inching his way to stardom was like scaling a mountain to Humayun.

The public has seen him in numerous television plays. Each of them is a new inspiration for his adoring fans.

Humayun, who now enjoys an exceptionally huge devoted following, gave a superb performance in the plays, ‘Ye Zindigi’, ‘Bund Darwazay’ and ‘Unhoni’.

His loyal following grew so fervent in the recent past that his video and or DVD’s became almost like a most sought after item.

Humayun has successfully experimented with hundreds of television plays. Below are three such success stories:

‘Jang’, ‘Janay Unjanay’, ‘Peela Jora’.

If aficionados of Pakistani entertainment have any thing to say about Humayun, this is what it is: ‘You have our eternal gratitude for delivering such profound lessons in such easy ways’.

Below are three such lessons:

‘Kheil kheil mein’, ‘Doosri duniya’ and Ye ghari hai Milan kee.’

Undoubtedly, Humayun mania is for real. Debonair Humayun, who is six feet tall, is married to Samina.

He unleashed his power to succeed and came up with magnificent performances in the plays below:

‘Zindigi badalti hai’, ‘Kabhi kabhi pyar mein’, ‘The castle—Ik Umeed.’

With the passage of time, he learned much about friendship, teamwork and most of all, about himself.

Moreover, no statistics could measure the fame he achieved in the recent past. It increases with every passing day.

Smitten, Humayun finds himself pulled toward production. From ‘Humayun Saeed Production’, he has produced the serial, ‘Tum he to ho.’

Further, from ‘H.S. Production, Humayun has also produced long plays like ‘Pehli Khahish’, ‘Adhuray Khawab’, ‘Dil wo bay mehar’ and ‘Undekhi’.

He is a great talker with a reputation for wit. Through his plays, Humayun has had a tremendous effect across Pakistani social landscape, as well.

There was a cluster of distinctively Pakistani works, such as drama serial, ‘Jab jab dil milay’. Its location shooting was done in Malaysia.

Likewise, the drama serial, ‘Chahatain’, was also shot in Malaysia. ‘Chahatain’, executive producer, Samina (wife of Humayun Saeed) cast includes Humayun Saeed, Uzma Gilani, Vaneeza Ahmed, Atiqa Odho.

As the times have changed, so has Pakistani show business.

As for Humayun’s work, his acting just keeps getting better. He brought his valuable experience to the play ‘Unjanay raastay.’

The cast includes Humayun Saeed, Tazeen Husain, Shafi Mohammad. Penned by Zeb Sindhi, director, Misbah Khalid.

Humayun also had an important role, which he played with dramatic effect, in the long play, ‘Farar’ with Mehreen Jabbar.

His portrayal of a cancer patient in the drama serial ‘Mehendi’ is unparalleled.

He is a fabulous actor—there is such vitality and imagery in his work.

By 2002, he was the most sought after artist of Pakistani television.

Consequently, directors and producers are in his debt.

In a recent interview, he spoke about his life. ‘People want me in the television plays’, he says, ‘and that is a lot to live up to.’

His personal flair, his love of music, dance and parties. His favorite dish is biryani and favorite color is black.

Humayun, at 32 years of age, has achieved so much name, fame and experience, that it is hard to believe.

To read about his exciting life is like watching a good movie that we did not want to end.

Humayun made his name in movies, as well. He debuted in the film ‘Inteha’, in which he was dubbed as an abusive husband.

He played the role of a prostitute in the film ‘No paisa no problem’.

The television and movie artists who inspired Humayun includes, Talat Husain, Shabbir Jan, Shafi Mohammad, Rahat Kazmi, Nadeem and Waheed Murad.

Humayun was judged best actor for his performance in the television play ‘Ab tum ja saktay ho’, in 1996, for ‘The television Performance Awards.

He was judged best actor for his performance in the television – film ‘Zeher’ in 1996.

He was judged best actor for his roles in the plays, ‘Sawal’, ‘Umeed-e-Sehr’ and ‘Kankgan’.

He was judged best actor for his performance in the film ‘Inteha’ and he received ‘The Television Times Viewer’s Choice Award’.

In the year 2003, his competency and artistic skills are awesome and only improving.

Apart from his acting skills, Humayun possess a vast business experience in garments.

Hence, Humayun and his brother, Aamir, opened men’s boutique at Zamzama boulevard and an outlet at Tariq Road.

In Humayun, Pakistanis have received a gift even greater than other gifts, which one could have offered them.

For Humayun and the likes of him, have only strengthened and renewed this country’s culture.

With their success has come a powerful affirmation—that the human spirit can never be extinguished.