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Actors, directors, singers, and producers of Pakistani origin have been achieving success around the world and have proved, time and again, that they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the brightest international talent. Instep takes a look.
Our entertainment industry may still be struggling to make a mark internationally, but that hasn’t stopped artists of Pakistani descent from establishing their presence in the world of entertainment and proving that there’s no shortage of talent in our part of the sphere. From local creatives working abroad to expats and children of Pakistani parents, these talented entertainers have earned recognition around the globe.
Whether they are performing onscreen, helming projects behind the camera, producing pop bangers, or serenading audiences with their voice, it is always a joy to experience their artistic magic.
Join us as we take a closer look at some of the entertainers of Pakistani descent who are showing the world just what we can do.
Riz Ahmed
He is the first actor of Pakistani origin to be nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award and the only Muslim to have ever earned this honour in the history of the Oscars, a fact that says as much about him (he is awesome) as it does about Hollywood (it is not).
Riz Ahmed has proved that he can charm indie audiences just as easily as he can traverse blockbusters like Rogue One and Venom. But not only does he deliver stellar performances – like his critically acclaimed turn as a hearing-impaired drummer in Sound of Metal – the British-Pakistani actor is also trying to bring change to Hollywood. He is vocal about the racist undertones in the film industry and an outspoken critic of the “dehumanizing and demonizing portrayals of Muslims” in movies. And it’s been downright wonderful to see him make his mark not just as an actor but as an activist as well.
Kumail Nanjiani
Born and raised in Karachi, Kumail Nanjiani moved to the United States when he was 18. His comedic aspirations ultimately led him to a solid acting career, with success on both the big and the small screen. A co-starring role in the sitcom Silicon Valley brought him to the world’s attention before the success of his Oscar-nominated film The Big Sick made him a bona fide star. He will next be seen in Marvel’s superhero caper Eternals (scheduled for a November release later this year) that also stars the likes of Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. Yes, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. Envy index: high!
Jameela Jamil
She’s smart, she’s funny, and she’s gorgeous to boot. (And she may or may not have Munchausen syndrome, but that’s beside the point.)
Jameela Jamil was an absolute delight as self-centred, namedropping socialite Tahani Al-Jamil in the fantasy comedy series The Good Place. She now hosts the comedy game show The Misery Index, is a judge on voguing reality competition Legendary, and is joining the world of Marvel in the upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk as the protagonist’s rival.
And you’d think her television work was keeping her swamped but the body positivity activist – who is known for calling out media industry standards and decrying the promotion of an unhealthy body image – still finds time to host the I Weigh podcast wherein she challenges societal norms and “amplifies and empowers diverse voices in an accessible way to celebrate progress, not perfection.”
We like her almost as much as bees seem to!
Tan France
Tanveer France – the British-American son of Pakistani parents – has had to battle racism and homophobia for much of his life. But with the success of the Queer Eye revival, the fashion expert has become a beloved media figure and host. He has written about his life experiences in his memoir Naturally Tan, and even made an appearance, as part of the Fab Five, in the 2019 video of Taylor Swift’s ‘You Need to Calm Down’.
Zayn Malik
“Jab tak iss muhabbat ka phool na khilay/Tab tak iss dil ko sakoon na milay,” Zayn sang on ‘Intermission: Flower’, a charming little Urdu track on his debut album Mind of Mine. And we totally would have paid attention to it too were we not still busy nursing our broken hearts over his split from One Direction. (The trauma still remains, if we’re being honest.)
As for Zayn though, just like his fellow former-1D cohorts, he is busy having a successful solo career. He has released three albums, the latest of which is this year’s Nobody Is Listening. He has also dabbled in fashion, published an autobiographical book, and created a little human being with model Gigi Hadid.
(As for 1D, they will reunite any day now. ANY. DAY. NOW. Aaaaany day.)
Shahid Khan
A.K.A. Naughty Boy. A.K.A. Zayn Malik’s buddy turned nemesis. Oh the drama.
The British Pakistani producer grew up listening to Pakistani music and is proud of his heritage. He has collaborated with the likes of Beyoncé, Sam Smith, Emeli Sandé, Wiz Khalifa, Beyoncé, Joe Jonas, Mike Posner, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, and many other artists, including Beyoncé. Oh and did we mention Beyoncé? He has worked with Beyoncé, you guys. Queen Bey. Sasha Fierce. BEYONCÉ! You have our permission to be impressed.
He is also appearing in the reality series Cooking With the Stars and has contributed to the soundtrack of Jemima Khan’s upcoming film What's Love Got To Do With It?
Iqbal Theba
If you hear Iqbal Theba’s name, you will probably think of Principal Figgins, the character he played on the uber-popular musical comedy Glee. But the Karachi-born actor actually has so many more credits on his resume. He has made appearances in shows like Seinfeld, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, Everybody Loves Raymond, The West Wing, The Blacklist, Community, and even Friends (kidney stones!), and can also be seen in movies like Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Green Book. He recently appeared in the winsome comedy drama Never Have I Ever as protagonist Devi’s uncle Aravind.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Detractors may be in a huff about her documentaries portraying a negative image of Pakistan, but no one can deny the fact that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has achieved what no Pakistani director has done before. She has won two Academy Awards, six Emmys, and so many other trophies that we presume she must’ve had to reinforce the shelves in her awards cabinet! She has also directed three of the six episodes of the upcoming Ms. Marvel series that is set to arrive on Disney+ later this year and stars young Pakistani-Canadian newcomer Iman Vellani.
Faran Tahir
He was born into a Pakistani family with ties to the entertainment industry and has gone on to become a familiar face in Hollywood. While Faran Tahir may have appeared mostly in supporting roles, his resume includes titles like The Jungle Book, Charlie Wilson's War, Iron Man, Star Trek, Supergirl, Scandal, and Prison Break, among many, many others. Not too shabby!
Sarah Joyce
Sarah Joyce – known to music aficionados by her stage name Rumer – has a connection to Pakistan that is perhaps a bit more dramatic than that of the other artists on this list.
Rumer was born to an English family in Pakistan where her British father was working as a chief engineer of the Tarbela Dam. Or so she thought until age 10 when she discovered that her biological father was in fact the man who had been the family’s Pakistani cook and with whom her mother had had an affair. She eventually journeyed to Pakistan to find her real dad only to learn that he had died just months prior.
That’s quite a backstory!
Family drama aside though, Rumer has managed to make a name for herself in the world of music. The singer has earned praise for her lovely voice, which is often compared to that of Karen Carpenter, and received acclaim for her music. So far, her career is five albums deep, two of which offer original material while the remaining feature covers.
Natasha Khan
Natasha Khan was born into squash royalty. She is the daughter of Rehmat Khan, the granddaughter of Nasrullah Khan, the niece of Jahangir Khan and Torsam Khan. But she found her calling in a very different field: music. Under the moniker Bat for Lashes, the British Pakistani singer has crafted a wonderful music career, releasing five albums, performing at festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, and supporting the likes of Coldplay and Depeche Mode on tour. She is unique, talented, and all kinds of fabulous.
- Sameen Amer
