Humayun doesn't care if you think he is too old to be a hero
"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!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
She just wants to act
It is as formulaic as any rom-com could be: girl meets boy, girl's parents hate boy, girl's father hires a man to break them up, girl falls in love with hired muscle. Slap on an easy-to-remember title (Love Guru), throw in two bankable stars proven to sell box office tickets – such as, say Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed – and you have on your hands a blockbuster before it even hits the theatres. "I thanked God that the film was a success, "gushes Mahira in an interview with Independent Urdu. "This was something we all needed." Back with co-star Humayun ten years after their hit film Bin Roye, Mahira's latest feel-good film tells you all you need to know after a mere flicker through its trailer. With Humayun's eponymous love guru (i.e. the aforementioned hired muscle) making the use of airborne hot air balloons and violins under a suspiciously dry London sky to woo his fake lady love, there are no plot twists to be had, and no expectations unmet when you have memorised the rom-com manual. And if the box office figures speak the truth, then Love Guru has achieved its ambition of wooing all lovers of rom-coms. However, box office hit or not, success is not something Mahira wishes to dwell on for too long. Itching to set her sights further and move onto the next project, she adds, "But then you start to think, 'What's my next project?' And you move forward. I think all actors do this. At the moment, I am reading over two [projects], and I'm trying to decide which one I'll do next!" Understanding Sophia When it comes to her role as Love Guru's leading lady Sophia, Mahira is confident she had her character under her skin from the start – and wherever she did not, she says she could always count on director Nadeem Baig to straighten things out. "Whenever I didn't understand something Sophia was saying or doing, I would ask Nadeem, and he would guide me a lot," she recalls. "But by and large, I knew what Sophia was all about and I had her all figured out." As a woman in her forties, Mahira has faced backlash inhabiting a conventionally younger character on screen, but any negative comments about how many years she has been around the sun fall off her like water off a duck's back. "I have never hidden my age – nor did I hide my marriage or my divorce or my child. I have to be true to myself," she mandates. "I don't care about anyone else. And when it comes to people's opinions – I welcome them. They don't bother me." Illustrating that she does, in fact, put some thought into the roles she takes on, the actor adds, "Whenever I get a project, I will think over it ten times, and there have been times when I've said, 'Listen, this is not age appropriate, I don't want to do it!' I'm particular about that as well. I want myself and the next generation to be comfortable." Working with Humayun Age backlash aside, the success of Love Guru has been largely down to its promotion before release, with the trailer for the film having been splashed out in Time Square, Manhattan. "That was really cool," admits Mahira, before going on to add that what was harder was making sure Humayun did not flee before the promotional work for the day had been done and dusted with. "I was then thinking, 'Oh my God, I hope Humayun doesn't run off, because I have to record a reel with him!" Mahira's comments appear completely on brand for Humayun himself, who had conceded in an earlier interview on a local talk show – without a moment's hesitation – that he found the promotional work far more laborious than shooting the actual film itself. "Promotion is harder than filming. It looks as though I'm enjoying it, but it's a lot of hard work!" Humayun had said at the time. Upcoming roles Despite Humayun's limited enthusiasm for promoting his films, Mahira has no qualms about sharing screen space with him again – and she hopes that this time, there will not be another ten-year gap. "We were about to do another film that is very close to my heart, actually, and a very intense love story" reveals Mahira. She adds, however, that what she really yearns to do is take on a role loaded with action. "I don't know when an offer will come," she laments. "I'm in talks with someone about action – let's see! I was in Maula Jatt, but I had no action in that film – and I wish I did." As for what lies ahead, viewers can look forward to seeing the star opposite that other bankable male, Fawad Khan, for the third time in Neelofar – a film whose praises Mahira cannot sing highly enough (albeit albeit sprinkled with a dose of caution lest she ramps up expectations beyond reach). "People should see it because we've made it with a lot of love," she noted. "Whether or not it succeeds or they find it any good – that is another thing altogether!" Meanwhile, those with an eye on upcoming Netflix shows will be aware that Mahira is also slated for a part in Pakistan's first series for the platform, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. Keeping a pulse on expectations, the yet-to-be-aired show features an ensemble cast including Hania Aamir, Iqra Aziz and Ahad Raza Mir. The release date has been pushed back to October, and Mahira hints at a departure from the characters she usually takes on. "I've never been in that zone before. I think you all will be amazed," she promises. Unmoved by Indian bans Love Guru is not the only thing making waves in entertainment circles; Indian social media bans on Pakistani artists have made waves in the showbiz industry. It is, however, something Mahira says she has "zero reaction" over. "I still have a lot of love for my fans. Fans are fans, people are people. That has very little to do with politics, although of course, the two do become intertwined," she notes. Reflecting on trigger-happy governments targeting artists in the first instance, she continues, "It's strange, isn't it? That if there is a war or political problem, the first thing that is attacked is on artists. Why is that so? Because artists are the people that connect people – so that is the first thing that gets banned, so there is no chance of any love between anyone. We are, as they say, the soft power. We are very important." Mahira, however, remains philosophical about any imminent bans, noting she has far more avenues in which to practice her craft than just films. "If tomorrow my films are banned, then I will go into dramas or theatre." As a final reminder, this A-lister has just one thing to say: "I am an actor. I just want to act."
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- 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
11-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Saba Qamar skipped Eid glamour for rest
Actor Saba Qamar has opened up about her absence from social media during Eidul Azha, revealing that she chose rest over ritual dressing this year. In a heartfelt Instagram story, the Kamli actor explained she spent the three days of Eid in quiet reflection, prioritising healing and self-care after a demanding year of non-stop work and travel. "I know so many of you were waiting to see my Eid look this time, and I just want to say that there wasn't one," Qamar wrote. "I didn't wear anything special, didn't dress up, and, for once, I didn't feel like I needed to." The actor added that she spent Eid taking it slow. "This Eid, I chose rest - pure, simple, and soulful rest," she said. "I spent these three days lying down, oil in my hair, good food in front of me, quiet prayers in my heart, and a whole lot of healing." "My heart was quietly asking for a break, and I listened," Qamar explained. "Sometimes, we have to pause, breathe, and come home to ourselves. This Eid, I did just that. No glam, no noise - just me-time." This is not the first time the star has emphasised the importance of a break. While most celebrities welcomed 2025 with a more energised online presence, Qamar worried fans with a brief social media hiatus. Taking to Instagram Stories, she reassured fans that her absence on social media was not a cause for alarm. "Sometimes in life, you just need to take a step back, be quiet for a bit, and give yourself some time to heal and recharge," she penned. With more gentle words to dispense, Qamar continued, "I promise this is just a little pause, not the end of anything. Even the brightest stars need to rest sometimes so they can shine even brighter."
