Latest news with #HumayunSaeed
UAE Moments
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
The First Teaser for Humayun Saeed's New Drama is Out
The first teaser for Pakistani stars Sajal Aly and Humayun Saeed's highly anticipated drama 'Mein Manto Nahi Hoon' was released on Friday, June 20, revealing an emotionally-charged story and a star-studded cast. Alongside Aly and Saeed, the drama features Asif Raza Mir, Sanam Saeed Mirza, Azaan Sami Khan, Nameer Khan, Saba Faisal, Saba Hamid, and many others. The director of 'Love Guru', Nadeem Baig, has directed this drama and the writer of 'Meray Paas Tum Ho', Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. The teaser revealed teary moments, angry confrontations, and a magical wedding. The teaser does not reveal much about the plot, but fans are anxiously waiting for the premiere of the drama. The drama is set to release after the release of Humayun Saeed's hit film 'Love Guru', which premiered on Eid Al Adha and featured Mahira Khan as his leading lady. After playing the charismatic, romantic hero, fans are excited to see Humayun Saeed in this new avatar.
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani films attracted ‘biggest' Eid collections in 5 years, says largest cinema chain
KARACHI: Pakistani films that released on the Eid Al-Adha last week attracted the highest Eid box office collections in five years, the sales and marketing head of the country's largest cinema chain said on Friday. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Pakistani romantic comedy 'Love Guru,' starring acting powerhouses Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan released in cinemas worldwide on Eid-ul-Adha. The other prominent Pakistani movie that released in theaters across the world was 'Deemak,' a horror movie with A-list actors Faysal Qureshi, Sonya Hussyn and Samina Peerzada starring in lead roles. As per official figures released by Love Guru, the Pakistani film collected Rs 12.8 crores [$457,143] in Pakistan during the first three days of Eid Al-Adha, making it the biggest ever Eid weekend opener in the country. 'If we look at Eid [film] business since Covid, we did the biggest business this year [on Eid],' Adnan Ali Khan, the sales and marketing head of Cinepax Cinemas, told Arab News. 'Meaning highest in five years.' He said this does not include The Legend of Maula Jatt film, which enjoyed record-breaking box office business but was not released on Eid. 'Love Guru got 50 percent of the shows and that is why it generated huge numbers,' Khan explained, adding that Deemak was the second-best performing film on Eid while Hollywood flick 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina' secured the third-highest collections. Khan said since Love Guru was released worldwide, the international box office collections for the opening weekend were clocked in at Rs15.4 crores [$546,000]. This means the film raked in a total of Rs28.2 crores [$999,186] in the first three days of the release. After the first five days of its release, Love Guru has collected Rs19.10 crores [$676,500] locally while Deemak has generated around Rs4 crores [$142,000] at the box office, Khan said. However, there have been speculations around the authenticity of these figures, particularly at the local box office. There hasn't been an official detailed division of box office collections in cinemas across Pakistan. Pakistani film critic Kamran Jawaid, however, brushed aside claims these figures were fabricated. 'ONLY FOR THE DELUDED' 'When the audience comes out of cinemas in droves at seven in the morning — and that too from multiple shows — then countering claims about fabricated figures is only for the deluded,' Jawaid told Arab News. He said the high footfall in cinemas across the country puts to rest the opinion that attendances at cinemas are too low due to expensive ticket prices or that audiences no longer harbor interest in Pakistani movie. 'One just has to make movies that people are willing to shell money out on, whether it is Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning, which also ran shows till morning two weeks before Eid, or Love Guru,' Jawaid said. The Pakistani film critic broke down the numbers based on the number of screens and seating capacity of Pakistani cinemas. 'Although not big, counting all 91 screens, Pakistan's total seating capacity is a little above 21,000, which equates to 21 million in ticket sales per show/slot, with an average ticket price of a thousand,' he said. 'An average of four shows per day leads to 84 million in gross income. Depending on the number of screens a film like Love Guru gets — which is roughly between 30-40 percent of the country — per-day estimates range between 25 to 33 million in gross receipts,' Jawaid explained. 'Given that the tickets are selling hot, one cannot refute the legitimacy of the quoted figures.' Khan said the movies garnered the highest numbers at its cinemas in Packages Mall in Lahore, followed by Jinnah Park in Rawalpindi. 'We are running late night shows every day,' Khan said, adding that the coming weekend was also expected to feature 'packed' theaters as the cinemas have bookings in advance. 'We need four Pakistani movies like Love Guru every year,' he said. 'However, Deemak has started gaining momentum now alongside Love Guru.' Deemak distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla said the film has collected Rs5.58 crores [$197,200] in six days while it is expected to cross Rs7 crores [$248,000] by the end of this week. 'It is a very encouraging figure for Deemak,' Mandviwalla said. Jawaid, however, looked toward the future of Pakistani cinema. 'Pakistan's cinema needs one Love Guru a month to revive audience's interest,' he said.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Humayun doesn't care if you think he is too old to be a hero
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!"
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Local hero, Netflix star
If there is any showbiz star who knows a thing or two about representing Pakistan internationally through his line of work, it is Humayun Saeed. Or, as viewers abroad may call him, Dr Hasnat in Season 5 of Netflix royal drama The Crown. But although his reputation as an A-lister is cemented in his home country, Humayun stressed in an interview on YouTube channel Filme Shilmy that during his time on The Crown, he felt the weight of representing Pakistan before the eyes of the rest of the world. "Representation is so important whenever we have to go outside our country," mused the star, who made his post-Crown comeback last year with a lead role in Gentleman after having been away from screens for nearly two years. "Take The Crown. That character was an important one, and I gave it my all. I took a lot of time with it, and it was at the forefront of my mind that the whole world would be watching this." Despite the pressure of global expectations and the eyes of the world, however, the actor praised the work environment and the professionalism of his colleagues, whom he credited for going the extra mile to ensure his comfort. "There was pressure, but I'm glad that the people who worked with me were very good," noted Humayun. They knew I had come from another country and was working in another language." Humayun went on to hint, however, that professionalism is a two-way street. "I gave it my all, and this is where our respect comes from – the work ethic we have when we go elsewhere," he pointed out. Lauding, in turn, the work ethic of those on set, the actor continued, "I saw that everything was happening on time, everyone was punctual and working quietly, and everyone's priority was to complete the work every day." Stopping just short of commenting on punctuality and efficiency on sets in Pakistan, Humayun went on to concede, "Of course, we have that here as well, but maybe we make some mistakes. But the thing is, they do not make those mistakes." What's in a name? Alongside his Bin Roye co-star, Mahira Khan, Humayun is currently in the throes of promoting his upcoming Eidul Azha romantic comedy Love Guru. In the same interview, Humayun recalled that he had been warned to refrain from being in any sort of offering going by that particular name, at the risk of being tainted by association after a previous film also called Love Guru had flopped. "There used to be a film that wasn't very good called Love Guru, and someone told me I shouldn't take on this particular film – but our film is good!" he insisted with conviction. Brushing aside the importance of the name of a production, Humayun maintained, "People are interested in films. If you make a good movie, and if people like it, then they start to like the name as well!" And of course, the star also has the evidence to back up his beliefs about films and their respective names. "I made a movie called Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and everyone said, 'What kind of name is this? This is not a good name for a film!' But then when that film became a hit, everyone would say that it was because it had a catchy name!" In other words: any title is only as good as the film itself. "When a film is good, the name is also a hit," concluded Humayun firmly. Delving deeper into the film itself and giving insight into his performance, the star discussed the art of delivering his lines when the viewers are in on a secret, but the characters are in the dark. "The shades of this character – sometimes I don't always understand how to talk like him, because I myself don't talk like that," he admitted. "But I would go to [director Nadeem Baig] and he would guide me and advise me about the timing. So I would copy Nadeem! The thing is, this film doesn't have that much comedy. I needed to add a few nuances so that the characters can't tell that he is lying, but the audience can." Mahira's personal touch Sitting alongside Humayun, fellow A-lister and Love Guru leading lady Mahira, known for picking up non-conformist roles, had her own thoughts on what makes her character tick and how she brought shades of herself to the part. "The first time you read a script, you read it as you," began Mahira. "And then you pick on things in the script. And the director says, 'This is not you, this is a character!'" Admitting that it isn't always practical to view a character through one's own lens, Mahira added "Sometimes it's not needed, sometimes it's not the character, and you have to surrender to it." When it comes to Love Guru itself, however, Mahira is adamant that this her onscreen persona is one that audiences can get behind and fall in love with – and yes, this time, she was able to convince director Nadeem to view the role through her own lens to add richness and subtlety to her character. "In this film, she is a girl of today," explained Mahira. "She is a true blue feminist and someone who is always on the right side of the spectrum. I would go to Nadeem and say, 'She wouldn't say this about another girl!' And he would agree and say, 'You're right, let's change it.' So yes, I do bring this to the table." Looking back on her former roles, Mahira mused that she is now in a place where she does not feel she owes it to herself to take on characters carrying an important message, as opposed to the relatively "easy-breezy" lighter character she has taken on board in Love Guru. "When I was younger, I was so hell bent on just doing that," she recalled. "I remember I had a few choices and I went for Verna, because I felt the subject was so important and I needed to be a part of it. At that time, even though I was offered roles that were easy breezy, I thought, 'No, I have to do this first.'" Now, however, Mahira feels unshackled from her own expectations. "I've had a kind of switch," she affirmed. "If I don't do it now, then when will I do it? But I don't look at it that way. if you know what I mean. I don't think, 'Oh this is easy breezy, and this is heavy'. Now it's just about what attracts me and what is offered to me." Will viewers find Mahira's easy-breezy character as palatable as the woman bringing her to life? There is not long to go before we find out.
The National
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pakistani stars of Love Guru, Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, on filming in the UAE
Humayun Saeed are reuniting for the first time in a decade with the romantic comedy Love Guru, a Pakistani film releasing in time for Eid Al Adha. The pair, who last starred together in the 2015 romantic drama Bin Roye, were recently in Dubai to promote the family entertainer. They had earlier shot the song Aa Tenu in the emirate, featuring several locations including the Palm Jumeirah. 'The UAE feels like home,' Khan tells The National. 'It's a melting pot of so many cultures, and it never feels like I've left home. What is amazing and beautiful about the UAE is that it is a common ground for so many people. Nationality and stuff like that gets left behind, and I love that it is so safe for women.' Directed by Nadeem Baig, Love Guru is named after Saeed's character, a Casanova and 'professional break-up artist', who falls head over heels for architect Sophia, Khan's character. Saeed, who is also a producer on the 280 million Pakistan rupee (Dh3.66 million) film, is counting on Khan and his popularity to turn the film into a success. 'I want people to like the film. If that happens, you recover,' he says candidly. 'When I made Main Hoon Shahid Afridi [a film he starred in and produced in 2013], I learnt a lot about failure. But my subsequent successful films Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi helped me gain confidence. I just pray everything goes well, and it usually does. Inshallah, this will work, too.' A major star in Pakistan, Saeed was also in the fifth season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown, in which he played Dr Hasnat Khan, a surgeon who had a relationship with Princess Diana. Both he and Khan share a passion for their work. 'I love doing what I do. Even if it's one project a year, I have to keep working,' Khan says. One of the most influential stars in Pakistan, Khan is often in the spotlight for her vocal stance on several hot topic issues. She was the first major star to publicly call out Pakistani screenwriter Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar for verbally abusing a female journalist during a televised debate in 2020. Qamar, who was widely criticised for his comments, responded by saying he committed a 'sin' by working with Khan. The incident was recently revived during the promotional tour for Love Guru. Comments by Khan saying she could have handled the situation better and more privately have led to her being accused of backtracking. 'I was scared to open my social media today. My manager told me: 'You speak and say things from the heart and you expect people to take it in the same vein. You also expect everyone to understand the nuance of what you've said,'' Khan says. 'So I either go completely silent for a while or I step up. And when I choose to be vocal, there will always be these kinds of reactions, like 'I can't believe she said this' or 'Did she just say we should do this or that?'. 'Whatever it is, I will stand by what I'm saying. Because for now, this is what I feel.'
