Written by: Shiraz Aslam
Posted on: July 31, 2023 | 
| 中文
Fawad Khan
With the glamor to walk the red carpet at the Met Gala and the aura to move audiences of all age groups, Fawad Khan was always destined for greatness and Superstardom. Constrained by Type-1 Diabetes and a struggling film industry, Khan fought through countless obstacles, exceeding expectations as his charm, character, and prowess transcended borders. Bursting on the film industry with a show-stealing debut performance in Shoaib Mansoor’s highly acclaimed film, Khuda Kay Liye (2007), the Pakistani heartthrob has become a household name sixteen years later. Charm may have launched his career, but he has evolved to become one of the most versatile actors in showbiz.
Fawad Khan in Khuda Kay Liye
While his show-stealing performance in Khuda Kay Liye may have put him on the map, the real ticket to stardom came four years later when Khan starred as Ashar Hussain in Sarmad Khoosat’s Humsafar (2011-12). The blockbuster hit charted the metamorphosis of Ashar from an ignorant, privileged Mama’s boy to a mature, loving husband. The evolution occurred against the backdrop of Khan’s cunning on-screen mother hatching draconian conspiracies alongside an obsessive lover. The plot may have been exceptional, but the acting was spectacular. Humsafar will also forever be acclaimed for introducing us to the romantic duo of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan.
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the leading pair of Humsafar
Speaking to YouTube anchor, Ambreen Fatima, the 41-year-old actor reflected on the roaring success of Humsafar. “Humsafar has given a lot to me, it was a breakthrough moment, I will forever be indebted to the people who were in the project or who were related to the project. I thank people who loved it and appreciated it.”
Fawad and Sanam Saeed in Zindagi Gulzar Hai
From thereon, the Karachi-born actor’s fame continued to skyrocket as Zindagi Gulzar Hai stole hearts. For both Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai, he received the Lux Style Awards for Best Actor- Satellite respectively. Additionally, Khan has also won several Hum awards. Soon Khan’s sky-high popularity took him next door to the uncertain and fiercely competitive realm of Bollywood. In his debut film for the Indian film industry, Khoobsurat (2014), the Pakistani heartthrob made waves as he held his own against veteran actors, while striking gold chemistry with Sonam Kapoor. The fascinating performance earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Perhaps his greatest and most memorable performance in India came in Kapoor and Sons (2016), a movie that masterfully showcased the dynamics and consequences of a dysfunctional Asian household with family politics. Playing the role of the quintessential “perfect bacha” with some dark unknown secrets, Fawad Khan delivered another strong, critically acclaimed performance alongside co-actors Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra. Although he did not win the award, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Male Actor the following year.
Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt in the Bollywood film 'Kapoor and Sons'
When discussing his accomplishments across borders, we must not overlook Khan’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in Ms. Marvel, a TV show that chronicles the adventures of a teenage Pakistani American female mutant. There, we also received a heartwarming taste of the exceptional chemistry between Fawad Khan and Mehwish Hayat. It was largely well-received, but fans wanted Khan to have a longer screentime.
Fawad Khan and Mehwish Hayat in Ms. Marvel
As Bollywood closed its doors and his acting career wound down, Fawad Khan made his much-anticipated return to Pakistani cinema last year in Bilal Lashari’s The Legend of Maula Jatt, a remake of the old Punjabi version, as the titular Maula Jatt. This time, the 41-year-old actor had a completely antithetical personality to his previous characters. A chiseled, fearless warrior with no remorse for his enemies, Maula Jatt was nothing like Ashar Hussain. Unlike typical heroes, Jatt had a morally grey character, not very different from Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Noori Natt, the main antagonist of the movie. Khan was hailed for bringing Jatt’s complex character to life in the best way possible. Although some fans were underwhelmed, the directors rekindled the on-screen romance between Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, with the latter relentlessly pursuing the former. The Legend of Maula Jatt was a box office hit, becoming the highest-grossing Pakistani and Punjabi film while ruling theatres across the globe. Khan’s drawing power and acting prowess were undoubtedly strong contributors to the Punjabi film’s roaring success.
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in The Legend of Maula Jatt
Whether it’s a confused and brainwashed musician-turned-extremist or a resilient warrior with a questionable moral compass, Fawad Khan can adapt himself to bring any character to life. Romance may have been his forte, but he has excelled in dark comedy and family drama-themed movies too. Put Sonam Kapoor or Mahira Khan opposite him, and he can create a magical and compelling story with both. His versatility as an actor has made him indispensable.
He may not have been in the industry as long, but Khan has left an indelible footprint in the entertainment industry of the Subcontinent. With plenty of gas left in the tank, we can expect the Pakistani heartthrob’s legacy to grow further, and forming a league of his own.
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