Sanam Saeed

Early life and education

Sanam Saeed was born in London, England, in . Her father is a retired interior designer, while her mother was an art teacher. She has a brother and a sister. The multi-ethnic family (her father is a Punjabi while her mother is a Memon) moved back to Karachi in 1990 or 1991.

Saeed did her O-levels at Bay View High School, Karachi and her A-levels at L'Ecole College, also in Karachi. She acted on stage in school plays.

She started modelling at the age of 17; she said that her height, at 5'9", helped. She later said that she had quit modelling because she was becoming increasingly conscious about her looks for the first time in her life. She said it was a "great way to earn money, but [she] never particularly enjoyed it".

Career

Live comedy and theatre

In 2004 Saeed was a member of Pakistan's first English-speaking improv comedy troupe, Blackfish. Created by Saad Haroon, the troupe represented Pakistan in an international youth theatre festival called "Contacting the World" at Contact Theatre in Manchester, England, in 2004.

Saeed has worked on stage in various types of theatre. She performed in Nida Butt's successful musicals, Chicago (2007), and Mamma Mia! (2009), which required her to sing, act, and dance. In 2010, she joined the Coke Studio entourage as a background vocalist.

She also acted in the stage plays Carnage (2009), Dhaani (2013), and Grease (2013).

VJing

Saaed became a VJ on the Indus Music channel soon after its launch

Television

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 feelings for her sister-in-law's brother, which later become a burden for her.

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.

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. The pairing of Saeed with Khan proved a major commercial success, as well as earning her three Best Actress awards.

Saeed played Bibi, a Syrian Christian single mother in Bee Gul's 2013 drama series, Talkhiyan, based on Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things. The series, which was directed by Khalid Ahmed and set in Murree, received positive feedback from the critics and Saeed's performance was especially praised.

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. 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, but Saeed's performance was praised by both critics and viewers. 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. Her only serial of 2014 was the Hum TV serial Firaaq, opposite Mohib Mirza, Noor Hassan Rizvi, and Junaid Khan.

In the highly successful 2015 series Diyar-e-Dil, Saeed 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. 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.

Film

In 2016, she was seen in four Pakistani films. She made her film debut in Nasir Khan's romantic thriller Bachaana with Mohib Mirza

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. 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. 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".

Music

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.

Other activities

In 2010, Saeed was selected to be the brand spokesperson for the international cosmetics brand L'Oréal Paris, the only one in Karachi.

Personal life

Saeed married her childhood friend, Farhan Hassan, a banker from Karachi, on 2 January 2015. In 2018, Saeed stated that they had divorced.

In 2021, Saeed married actor Mohib Mirza in a private ceremony, and announced their wedding in 2023. Their son was born in May 2025.

Filmography

Films

Television

Other Appearances

Web Series

Theatre

Discography

Awards and Nominations

Other Recognitions

References

References

1. (14 July 2014). "India uses cinema to tell its stories, we use TV, says Kashaf of Zindagi Gulzar Hai (actress Sanam Saeed)". The Indian Express newspaper.
2. Saeed, Sanam. (15 August 2010). "Interview of Sanam Saeed (Brand Spokesperson – L'Oreal Pakistan)".
3. Salima Feerasta (9 March 2014), [https://tribune.com.pk/story/678835/sanam-saeed-sanam-jung-double-act/ "Sanam Saeed & Sanam Jung: Double act"], ''[[The Express Tribune]]''. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
4. Speak Your Heart With Samina Peerzada. Part I"], uploaded on [[YouTube]] on 8 November 2018.
5. Saeed, Sanam. (23 February 2013). "First person: Outspoken? Self-righteous? "Not me!" says Sanam Saeed".
6. "Sanam Saeed: Biography, Interview, and Pics". Showbizpak.com.
7. (10 June 2013). "Oh Sanam!". styleonpaper.
8. (1 August 2004). "Fish out of water".
9. Rashed, Fariha. "Theatre: a mirror of social issues".
10. Zakir, Fatima. (18 April 2016). "The Business of Music".
11. (29 July 2019). "Ghazanfar Ali – The Pioneer Of Private Television In Pakistan".
12. "Fawad Khan on Kissing: "I didn't want to hurt the sentiments of my core audience"". Thenewsreports.com.
13. (30 September 2014). "I like the idea of virgin romance: Fawad Khan | Zee News". Zeenews.india.com.
14. (13 November 2013). "Fahad Mustafa, Sanam Saeed and Iman Ali To Star Together In a Movie!". Reviewit.pk.
15. Nandini Sharma. (29 September 2014). "Indian Author Accuses Pakistani Serial Of Plagiarism | Business Insider India". Businessinsider.in.
16. (19 September 2014). "Sanam Saeed back as Shazia in Zindagi's 'Mera Naseeb' | Zee News". Zeenews.india.com.
17. (3 October 2014). "FK's virgin romance!". Ahmedabad Mirror.
18. (11 October 2014). "Breast cancer campaign from 13th". Nation.com.pk.
19. (3 October 2014). "Sisters under the skin? Chitra Divakaruni says Zindagi serial rips off her novel". Firstpost.
20. (3 November 2015). "Dayar e Dil New Drama Coming Soon on Hum Tv". dramas-online.
21. (29 February 2016). "Bachaana' makes Rs20m in three days". Express Tribune.
22. (15 May 2015). "Sanam Saeed to play an Indian in upcoming Pakistani film". tribune.com.pk.
23. (15 May 2015). "New film on the horizon: Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza to star in Bachaana". dawn.com.
24. (27 March 2016). "'Mah-e-Meer' to hit theatres on May 6". Express Tribune.
25. McCahill, Mike. (29 March 2018). "Cake review – Karachi sister act ditches melodrama for real life". The Guardian newspaper.
26. (30 March 2018). "'Cake' review: One slice just won't be enough - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune.
27. "Sanam Saeed Coke Studio Bio".
28. (3 January 2015). "Sanam Saeed ties the knot with childhood friend". [[Dawn (newspaper).
29. Afzal, Asfia. (3 January 2015). "Sanam Saeed marries childhood friend".
30. [https://tribune.com.pk/story/1843832/4-couldnt-balance-marriage-mothers-declining-health-sanam-saeed/ "I couldn't balance marriage and my mother's declining health: Sanam Saeed"]. The Express Tribune. 9 November 2018.
31. (5 March 2023). "Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza officially announce their marriage". The Express Tribune.
32. (20 June 2025). "Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza announce the birth of their son Vali".
33. Saeed, Mahek. (9 December 2015). "Our women don't have much exposure of the outside world: Sanam Saeed". The Express Tribune.
34. (11 January 2018). "Rehan Sheikh's Azad to release on 9th Feb 2018!". HIP.
35. (9 February 2017). "4 reasons why we are waiting for the film 'Cake'". HIP.
36. NewsBytes. "Cake wins big at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal".
37. (18 December 2021). "Ishrat Made in China's first teaser is finally here". Images by [[Dawn (newspaper).
38. Lodhi, Rida. (2024-04-08). "'Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning' trailer unveils intriguing blend of adventure and fantasy".
39. Style, BR Life &. (2023-05-29). "Actor Sanam Saeed reveals upcoming film 'Umro Ayyar'".
40. "The Martial Artist Film - Official Movie Website".
41. (5 March 2020). "Aan is not a love triangle, says Haseeb Hasan". The News International (newspaper).
42. Rehman Chagani, Anum. (14 November 2014). "I like taking on characters that empower women: Sanam Saeed". DAWN.
43. (14 July 2014). "India uses cinema to tell its stories, we use TV: Sanam Saeed". Times Of India.
44. Saadia Qamar. (6 December 2012). "A story of bitterness: Meet the women of 'Talkhiyan'". The Express Tribune.
45. (15 November 2015). "Diyar-e-Dil: Of love, pride and family values". The News On Sunday.
46. (2 June 2016). "Gypsy is not just another drama about wailing women, says Mira Sethi". DAWN.
47. (4 February 2018). "Aakhri Station Drama Sarmad Khoosat Sanam Saeed". OxGadgets.
48. Shabbir, Buraq. "Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza starrer Deedan is a unique tale".
49. (2 June 2025). "Sanam , Saboor, and Asad mesmerize audiences with 'Doosra Chehra' trailer".
50. (2025-09-13). "Sanam Saeed was 'very concerned' about taking on a Khalilur Rehman Qamar script with Main Manto Nahi Hoon".
51. Staff, Images. (2026-01-17). "Sanam Saeed wants women to know that Zeba's suffering in Kafeel isn't noble or virtuous, it's an 'eye-opener'".
52. (9 March 2014). "Sanam Saeed & Sanam Jung: Double act". The Express Tribune.
53. Khan, Sher. (22 August 2012). "Bilal Khan: Acting pushed me out of my comfort zone". Express Tribune.
54. Web Desk. (2 December 2021). "Sanam Saeed lauds artists for strengthening Indo-Pak cultural ties".
55. (2024-07-02). "EXCLUSIVE: Barzakh's Sanam Saeed desires to work with Aamir Khan, Tabu; talks about Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo".
56. Rafique, Rija. (2024-06-01). "Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed reunite for new project 'Shandur'".
57. Kulsoom. (6 January 2015). "Attending Chicago the Musical…in Karachi". Wordpress.
58. "Chicago in Karachi opens new avenues to art, theatre and a 'wicked' world of possibilities". Saba Sartaj K.
59. "Mamma Mia! Here they go again!". JANG News.
60. (6 December 2012). "'God of Carnage' a play by Nida Butt".
61. Salima Fareesta. (20 January 2015). "Grease The musical delivers a fun night out". Karachista.
62. (20 May 2013). "Dhaani: Great performances lost in vain". The Express Tribune.
63. (23 June 2013). "Results And Pictures Of Tarang Housfull Awards.". Review It.
64. (30 March 2014). "2nd Hum Awards Winners". Rashid Nazir Ali.
65. (5 December 2014). "13 Lux Style Awards: and the winners are ...". Dawn.
66. (6 April 2016). "The awards will be held in Karachi on April 23rd and the voting lines are open till April 6, 2016.". HIP.
67. (29 October 2016). "Here are the winners from the first ever Hum Style Awards.". Dawn.
68. (2008-02-14). "'Ho Mann Jahaan' wins 10 Galaxy Lollywood Awards 2017 - Entertainment - Dunya News".
69. Images Staff. (19 April 2017). "Here's what's going down at the Lux Style Awards 2017 right now [LIVE]". Images.
70. (23 May 2017). "Sanam Saeed Wins Best Actress At Eastern Eye Awards". Dawn.
71. (22 October 2017). "A list of who won what at the Hum Style Awards".
72. (30 March 2019). "Did your favorites get nominated for Lux Style Awards 2019?".
73. "https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/495568-who-won-at-the-mega-lux-style-awrds-2019" (18)
74. "Urdu Awards Galaxy Lollywood Awards 2019".
75. "Pisa Awards".
76. (29 August 2019). "Pride of Pakistan Sanam Saeed".
77. "Instagram".