10 Classic Pakistani Film Actors (Male)

The 1950’s and 1960’s era witnessed some of the finest actors in Pakistani Cinema. From Waheed Murad to Shaan Shahid, Pakistani Cinemas has produced actors par excellence, we bring you the list of 10 Best Actors of Pakistani Cinema of all time.

Waheed Murad

01waheed-muradWaheed Murad was a legendary Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer, famous for his charming expressions, attractive personality, tender voice and unusual talent for acting. He is considered as one of the most famous and influential actors of South Asia. He started his film career as cameo in 1959 in the film Saathi. One of his most successful films is Armaan, which made a pivotal impact on the sub-continental film industry. He is the only actor in the Pakistani film industry to secure the highest number of platinum, diamond, golden and silver jubilees.

Muhammad Ali

02Muhammad_AliOne of the most notable Pakistani film actors, Mohammad Ali is widely known as Shahenshah-e-Jazbaat. A highly versatile artist, he has performed in several historical, biographical and patriotic roles. He has starred in over 250 movies, playing both heroes and villains. He was included among the 25 greatest actors of Asia by a CNN survey. Over the course of his film career, he won 10 Nigar Awards.

Saeed Khan a.k.a. Rangeela

03rangeelaSaeed Khan Rangeela is regarded as one of the finest comedians of the Pakistani film industry. He made his professional cinematic debut in a 1958 Punjabi film Jatti. He went on to form Rangeela Productions to produce his own movies. He not only produced films but also directed his productions, sang songs, and wrote scripts as well. His movies, to the surprise of many film industry stalwarts, attracted a large number of viewers. He has won 10 Nigar awards over the course of his career.

Sultan Rahi

04Sultan-RahiSultan Rahi is regarded as one of the most successful Punjabi actors with an appearance in 813 films, becoming the only Pakistani actor to be in the Guinness Book of World Records. He has won 160 Film Awards in his career. Some of his major films include Maula Jatt, Sher Khan, Chan Veryam and Kaley Chore. He has established himself as one of the leading and most successful actors of Pakistani and Punjabi cinema.

Nadeem Baig

05Nadeem_BaigNadeem’s film career spans over more than 40 years. He started his career in 1967, appearing in his first film Chakori. The film was produced and directed by Captain Ehtesham, who in real life became his father-in-law. He achieved a Nigar Award in the Best Actor category for Chakori. Some of his most popular films include Nadan, Anari, Pechan, Talashi and Aina. Besides acting, Nadeem has sung many songs for films as well.

Javed Shaikh

06javed-sheikhJaved Shaikh is an actor who has devoted his career to the film industry of Lollywood and Bollywood. Born in Rawalpindi, Javed Sheikh made his acting debut in the Lollywood film Dhamaka, released in 1974. In 2005, he switched to acting in Bollywood films and appeared in the films Shikhar and Jaan-E-Mann. In 2007, he appeared in Namaste London, Om Shanti Om and the Pakistani film Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaoon Ga. He is regarded as one of the leading actors in Pakistani cinema.

Shaan Shahid

07Shaan_ShahidUpon making his debut in Javed Fazil’s Bulandi alongside Reema Khan, Shaan Shahid went on to act in numerous commercially successful films and has established himself as one of the most critically acclaimed actors of Pakistan. He has won many awards including 1 Pride of Performance, 4 National Film Awards, 15 Nigar Awards, 5 Lux Style Awards and 1 Pakistan Media Award. His most notable films include Majajan, Khuda Ke Liye, Zill-e-Shah and Waar among others.

Munawar Zarif

08Munawar_ZareefMunawar Zarif was a versatile actor and comedian best known for his work in the Pakistani cinema of the seventies. Zarif appeared in more than 300 films. He started his film career from a Punjabi film called Dandian in 1961. After a film career as a comedian, he became a film actor, first as side-hero in Pardey mein rehney doe and then in the title roles and hero in the same year. He was awarded three times with the Nigar Award on his outstanding performances.

Syed Musa Raza a.k.a Santosh Kumar

09Santosh-KumarSyed Musa Raza, better known as Santosh Kumar was a famous Pakistani film actor of 1950s and 1960s era. He belonged to a well educated family from Uttar Pradesh, India. He was Pakistan’s first ever top romantic hero. In Pakistan, his first film was Beli in 1950 and in the same year he acted in the first ever silver jubilee Urdu film, Do aansoo.

Sudheer

010Lala_SudheerShah Zaman Khan Afridi, better known as Sudheer or Lala Sudheer was a Pakistani film actor, director and producer. He is the only actor of the early Pakistani cinema whose film career has been preserved. He is known as the first action hero of Pakistani cinema. His characters symbolized valour and bravery. Like Sultan Rahi, he appeared in the highest grossing films of Pakistan and received 4 Nigar Awards over the course of his career.

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