Sanam Saeed
Saeed on the sets of Diyar-e-Dil in 2015
Born (1985-02-02) 2 February 1985 (age 39)
London, England, UK[1]
NationalityPakistani
Alma materL'Ecole College
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present
Spouses
Farhan Hassan
​
​
(m. 2015; div. 2018)​
​
(m. 2021)​
[2]

Sanam Saeed (born 2 February 1985) is a Pakistani actress, singer and former model who predominantly works in Urdu cinema and television. She is best known for portraying the role of Kashaf Murtaza in Momina Duraid's Zindagi Gulzar Hai, for which she received numerous accolades, including Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress.

A graduate of film and theatre studies at Lahore, Saeed made her television debut in the 2010 romance Daam. Saeed had her first commercial success with the 2013 romantic series Zindagi Gulzar Hai. She rose to prominence by featuring as the female lead in several top-grossing television series, including Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu (2013), Talkhiyaan (2013), Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2013) and Kadoorat (2013), Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye (2013), Ek Kasak Reh Gayi (2015), Firaaq (2014)—and received critical recognition for playing antagonist type in the 2015 family drama Diyar-e-Dil, that earned her a nomination for Best Villain at Hum Awards. Saeed was last seen playing the main protagonist in Deedan opposite Mohib Mirza.

After establishing herself as a leading actress in television, Saeed made her film debut with the 2016 romantic comedy Bachaana and later appeared in a supporting role in Dobara Phir Se in the same year. Both of which earned her nomination for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively at Lux Style Awards. Her other film appearances include the biographical drama Mah-e-Mir, the period drama film Rahm (both 2016), the melodrama Azaad (2017) and the family drama Cake (2018), for which she received nominations for Best Actress at Lux Style Awards and Pakistan Achievement Awards. In 2019, Saeed was named "Pride of Pakistan" by Daily Times.

Early life

Born in England, her father is a retired interior designer, while her mother was an art teacher. She has one brother, Adnan Saeed, and one sister, Amira Saeed.[3] The multi-ethnic family (her father is a Punjabi while her mother is a Memon) moved back to Karachi in 1990.[4] She did her O-levels at Bay View High School Karachi and her A-levels at L'Ecole College. Saeed started modelling at the age of 16.[5] In Paper Magazine, she confessed that she quit modelling as she was becoming increasingly conscious about her looks for the first time in her life.[6]

Career

Television debut (2010–2011)

Saeed started her acting career with a supporting role in the 2010 ARY Digital serial, Daam, the adaption of Umera Ahmad's novel of the same name, opposite Aamina Sheikh and Sanam Baloch. Directed by Mehreen Jabbar, Saeed played the role of Fiza, a "selfish and arrogant girl" who develops feeling for her sister-in-law's brother, which later become a burden for her.[7]

The following year she played the lead female role in Adnan Ahmed's Hum TV serial Mera Naseeb, along with Syra Yousuf, Imran Aslam and Imran Abbas Naqvi. Her portrayal of Shazia, an outspoken and rebellious girl, was particularly praised.[8]

Zindagi Gulzar Hai and success (2012–2014)

Saeed followed with the role of Yamina, a British Pakistani who is married to a materialistic snob, a wife beater (played by Junaid Khan) in Mehreen Jabbar's Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu an adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name.[9] Sultana Siddiqui's romantic drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai an adaption of Umera Ahmad's novel of the same name was Saeed's next serial. Co-starring Fawad Khan, she was cast as Kashaf Murtaza, a very sensible and mature girl, coming from a middle-class family background. It marked a departure from the glamorous characters that she had a reputation for portraying.[1][10] The pairing of Saeed with Khan resulted in hype over the drama and it proved a major commercial success.[11] It earned her 3 Awards as Best Actress. In addition, Saeed played Bibi, a Syrian Christian single mother in Bee Gul's Talkhiyan, based on Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things.[12] The drama, directed by Khalid Ahmed, set in Murree, received positive feedback from the critics and Saeed's portrayal of Bibi, a Syrian Christian single mother, was particularly praised.[13][14]

Saeed next played opposite Junaid Khan in the 2013 mystery drama Kadoorat, aired on Hum TV from Momina Duraid. Her role was Minah, who took revenge from her stepmother and stepsister and later felt guilty.[15] The same year, she appeared in Geo TV serial Ek Kasak Reh Gaye opposite Mikaal Zulfiqar and ARY Digital's Shukk opposite Adeel Hussain and Ayesha Khan.

Saeed next appeared opposite Ahsan Khan and Sarwat Gilani in the romantic telefilm Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri, her third collaboration with Mehreen Jabbar. The telefilm was the remake of Waheed Murad's 1968 film of the same name. She featured in the role of "a rich and spoiled brat". The telefilm received mixed reviews from critics, however, Saeed's performance was praised by both critics and viewers.[16] Saeed also starred in two other Eid special telefilms Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye opposite Goher Mumtaz and Tamana ki Tamana opposite Bilal Khan and Mathira. Saeed's only serial of 2014 was the Hum TV serial Firaaq, opposite Mohib Mirza, Noor Hassan Rizvi and Junaid Khan. She portrayed the role of Paiman who struggles to live at her own will despite of strict boundaries set by her mother. .

Recent work and film debut (2015–present)

Her next serial, Diyar-e-Dil, was not only the biggest success of 2015 but also one of the most successful serials of all time in Pakistan. Directed by Haseeb Hassan, and based on Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name, she was cast alongside Maya Ali, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Osman Khalid Butt and Abid Ali, and portrayed Ruhina Behroze Khan, a young middle-class girl who marries her rich class fellow Behroze Khan (played by Zulfiqar), against his family members and leaves home and gives birth to new rivalry in both families.[17]

In 2016, she was seen in four Pakistani films. She made her film debut in Nasir Khan's romantic thriller Bachaana[18] with Mohib Mirza[19][20][18] She next appeared in Anjum Shahzad and Sarmad Sehbai's Mah-e-Meer, along with Fahad Mustafa and Iman Ali, describing it as the first "glamorous" role of her career.[21][22] She was also seen in Ahmed Jamal's Rahm. She then appeared in Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se, alongside Adeel Hussain, Hareem Farooq, Ali Kazmi and Tooba Siddiqui, which earned her an award for Best supporting actress (film) at the 16th Lux Style Awards.

In 2018, she appeared as the younger sister Zara, in the critically acclaimed film Cake.[23] Reviewing the film for The Express Tribune, critic Rahul Aijaz appreciates Saeed's extraordinary performance in the film and wrote ''Saeed portrays Zara with suppressed emotions, running away from her past. Hers is the journey we try to keep digging into, slowly. The actor's naturally calm exterior and controlled style of speaking aid her project Zara's insecurities.''[24]

Music career

Saeed briefly appeared in the third season of Coke Studio Pakistan, where she sang background vocals on "Alif Allah (Jugni)" by Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi, "Aisha" by Amanat Ali and "Chori Chori" by Meesha Shafi as a backing vocalist.[25]

Musical theater

Sanam has worked for Made for Stage Productions in the following stage plays: Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Carnage, Dhaani and Grease.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

Personal life

Saeed married her childhood friend, Farhan Hassan, a banker from Karachi, on 2 January 2015.[32][33] In 2018, Saeed stated that her husband and she are divorced.[34]

In 2021, Saeed married actor, Mohib Mirza, in a private ceremony. They announced their wedding in 2023.[2]

Filmography

Films

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Bachaana Aalia [21][35]
2016 Mah-e-Meer Naina Kanwal Based on the life of Mir Taqi Mir [21][22]
2016 Dobara Phir Se Samar [21][36]
2016 Rahm Samina [21]
2017 Azad Sabreen Hisbani Screened at South Asian International Film Festival [37][21]
2018 Cake Zara [38][39]
2022 Ishrat Made in China Akhtar [40]
TBA Aan † TBA Filming [41]

Television

Year Title Role Network Ref.
2010 Daam Fizza ARY Digital [42]
2011 Mera Naseeb Shazia Hum TV [42]
2012 Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu Yamina Hum TV [9]
2012–2013 Talkhiyan Bibi Express Entertainment [12]
2012–2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Kashaf Murtaza Hum TV [42]
2013 Kadoorat Minah Hum TV [42]
2013 Ek Kasak Reh Gayi Paras Geo TV
2013 Shukk Sania ARY Digital [42]
2014 Firaaq Paimaan Hum TV [42]
2015–2016 Diyar-e-Dil Ruhina Behroze Hum TV [43]
2016–2017 Dil Banjaara Nida Nafees Hum TV [44]
2018 Aakhri Station Tehmina Ary Digital [45]
2018–2019 Deedan Resham A-Plus TV [46]

Other appearance

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Dil Mera Dharkan Teri Beenish Telefilm [47]
Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye Mishal/Sameer
Tamanna ki Tamanna Zainab [48]
2015 Mr. Shamim Maya Sitcom

Web series

Year Title Role Platform(s) Ref.
2021 Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam Zuvi Zee5 [49]

Theatre

Year Theatre Play Role Notes
2007 Chicago Roxie Hart [26][27]
2009 Mama Mia Rosie [28]
2009 Carnage [29]
2013 Grease Rizz [30]
2013 Dhaani Ruqayya [31]

Discography

Year Song Notes
2010 "Alif Allah (Jugni)" on Coke Studio Pakistan (Season 3) as a backing vocalist[25]
"Aisha"
"Chori Chori"

Awards and nominations

Year Work Award Result Ref
Hum Awards
2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Best Actor Female (Jury) Nominated [50]
2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Best Actor Female (Popular) Won [50]
2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Best On-screen Couple (Jury) Won [50]
2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Best On-screen Couple (Popular) Won [50]
2015 Diyar-e-Dil Best Actor in a negative role Nominated [51]
Lux Style Awards
2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai Best Television Actress - Satellite Won [52]
2017 Dobara Phir Se Best Supporting Actress in a Film Won [53]
Bachaana Best Lead Actress in a Film Nominated
2019 Cake Best Film Actress Nominated [54][55]
Hum Style Awards
2016 Dobara Phir Se Most Stylish Actress - Film Nominated [56]
2017 Cake Most Stylish Actress - Film Won [57]

Other recognitions

References

  1. ^ a b Sanam Saeed talks to Fashion Central fashioncentral.pk Retrieved 22 July 2012
  2. ^ a b "Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza officially announce their marriage". The Express Tribune. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  3. ^ Salima Feerasta (9 March 2014), "Sanam Saeed & Sanam Jung: Double act", The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  4. ^ Interview with Samina Peerzada. "Sanam Saeed Like Never Before | Speak Your Heart With Samina Peerzada | Part I", uploaded on YouTube on 8 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Sanam Saeed: Biography, Interview, and Pics". Showbizpak.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Oh Sanam!". styleonpaper. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Fawad Khan on Kissing: "I didn't want to hurt the sentiments of my core audience"". Thenewsreports.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  8. ^ "I like the idea of virgin romance: Fawad Khan | Zee News". Zeenews.india.com. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  9. ^ a b "India uses cinema to tell its stories, we use TV: Sanam Saeed". Times Of India. 14 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Fahad Mustafa, Sanam Saeed and Iman Ali To Star Together In a Movie!". Reviewit.pk. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  11. ^ Nandini Sharma (29 September 2014). "Indian Author Accuses Pakistani Serial Of Plagiarism | Business Insider India". Businessinsider.in. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b Saadia Qamar (6 December 2012). "A story of bitterness: Meet the women of 'Talkhiyan'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
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  26. ^ a b Kulsoom (6 January 2015). "Attending Chicago the Musical…in Karachi". Wordpress. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
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  35. ^ Hassan, Malik (28 February 2015). "Review: Bachaana is a big slice of highly palatable cheese". Daily Times Pakistan.
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  40. ^ "Ishrat Made in China's first teaser is finally here". Images by Dawn. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
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  44. ^ "Gypsy is not just another drama about wailing women, says Mira Sethi". DAWN. 2 June 2016.
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  54. ^ "Did your favorites get nominated for Lux Style Awards 2019?". www.thenews.com.pk. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  55. ^ "https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/495568-who-won-at-the-mega-lux-style-awrds-2019" (18)
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  57. ^ "A list of who won what at the Hum Style Awards". 22 October 2017.
  58. ^ "Results And Pictures Of Tarang Housfull Awards". Fatima Awan. Review It. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  59. ^ "Sanam Saeed Wins Best Actress At Eastern Eye Awards". Images. Dawn. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  60. ^ "Pride of Pakistan Sanam Saeed". Daily Times. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.

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