Pakistani superstar Humayun Saeed, known for his iconic roles at home, is no stranger to representing Pakistan on the world stage. As Dr. Hasnat Khan in Season 5 of Netflix’s The Crown, Humayun took on the immense responsibility of portraying his homeland to a global audience — a challenge he opened up about in a recent interview with YouTube channel Filme Shilmy.
“Whenever we step out of our country, representation becomes even more important,” Humayun shared. Having returned to local screens with the hit series Gentleman after nearly two years, he explained how The Crown demanded intense dedication. “I knew the whole world would be watching, so I gave it my best. That thought was always in my mind,” he said.
While Humayun acknowledged the pressure of international exposure, he praised the warm and professional environment on the British series’ set. “The people I worked with were so good. They understood I came from another country, working in a different language,” he noted. “There was no room for error on their end — everything was on time, everyone was focused and respectful. That’s where our respect also comes from: our work ethic abroad.”
Turning his attention back home, Humayun is currently busy promoting Love Guru, his upcoming Eidul Azha rom-com, alongside co-star Mahira Khan. Recalling a warning he received about the film’s title — given the flop of an earlier film of the same name — Humayun was unfazed. “Someone told me I shouldn’t do this film because of the title. But our Love Guru is different. When a film is good, people fall in love with the name too,” he declared. “Look at Punjab Nahi Jaungi — everyone questioned the name, but when it became a hit, they said the name was catchy!”
Delving deeper into Love Guru, Humayun talked about adding subtle shades to his character, who deceives others while letting the audience in on the secret. “Sometimes I don’t even know how to talk like him,” he admitted, crediting director Nadeem Baig for guiding him. “I’d go to him for advice, and I’d copy him! The film doesn’t have much outright comedy, so I had to add some nuances to make sure the audience knows what’s going on, even if the characters don’t.”
Mahira Khan on Bringing Herself to the Screen
Mahira Khan, Humayun’s Love Guru leading lady, also weighed in on how she shapes her characters — and how she’s learning to let go. “At first, you read the script as yourself,” she explained. “But sometimes you have to step back and let the character come through, not just your own perspective.”
In Love Guru, Mahira brings her personal touch to the role of a strong, modern woman. “She’s a true blue feminist. I would even go to Nadeem and say, ‘She wouldn’t say this!’ and he’d agree to tweak it,” Mahira shared.
Reflecting on her past roles, Mahira said she used to prioritize projects with important messages, like Verna. “I felt so strongly that I had to do those heavy roles,” she recalled. “Now, I don’t look at it as easy or hard. It’s about what excites me and what’s offered.”
As audiences eagerly wait for Love Guru, it remains to be seen whether Mahira’s breezy, relatable character will win them over — but judging by the stars’ confidence, the film is set to deliver an Eidul Azha treat.
