Actor and producer Humayun Saeed believes Pakistani dramas deserve greater international visibility, including on streaming platforms such as Netflix, but says the country needs to develop its own over-the-top (OTT) platform to help local productions reach wider audiences. He made the remarks in an interview with Ali Salman, in which he also discussed the distinctive style of Pakistani television, the role of social media in discovering new talent, and what he learnt while working on the international series The Crown. Saeed said local productions have a distinct identity, particularly in their writing, dialogue delivery, and use of Urdu, and that the way lines are spoken in Pakistani dramas gives them a style of their own.
On the question of Netflix, Saeed acknowledged that OTT productions often take a different and edgier approach, but said the dramas that Pakistan has already made could still find an audience on international platforms. He suggested that political considerations might influence how Netflix approaches Pakistan, though he said he was unsure when local productions might become available there. Instead of relying only on global streaming services, he stressed the importance of a local OTT platform where Pakistani filmmakers and actors could show their work. He argued that content gets made once a platform exists and that Netflix interest would follow after people show their work, pointing to India, where he said local OTT platforms came first. Saeed also called on the government to give the entertainment industry greater attention and support.
Beyond streaming, Saeed discussed how social media has changed the way aspiring actors enter the industry. He recalled that newcomers once had to audition, meet directors, learn from experienced professionals, and rehearse before getting roles, while platforms such as TikTok now let people show their skills directly. That creates new openings but also makes it harder to tell acting ability from online popularity. He cited Hania Aamir as an example, saying he first saw her on Dubsmash and then cast her in a drama, which shows that talent can be found online. He cautioned, however, that performing well in short videos does not necessarily mean someone can handle a scripted role, since an actor’s skills become clearer when given proper dialogue and scenes. He also described his own unplanned start in showbiz, saying that he was working in a factory before an opportunity led him to an audition.
Saeed also spoke about playing Dr Hasnat Khan in the Netflix series The Crown, where he said the most important lesson was the value of discipline, organisation, and professionalism. He described the production’s carefully planned arrangements for transport, make-up timings, meals, and call times, and contrasted them with what he sees as less structured practices in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. He said co-star Elizabeth Debicki stayed focused on her work and followed a strict schedule, and that international productions communicate schedules clearly so cast members know when to report to set. Saeed rejected the idea that his profession makes him a star, saying acting is simply his work. His latest released film is Love Guru (2025), a romantic comedy directed by Nadeem Baig and co-starring Mahira Khan, and he appeared in the television drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon in 2025. The interview did not outline any plan, investment, or timeline for a Pakistani OTT platform, so his call remains a proposal and not an announced project.
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