Sanam Saeed
Sanam Saeed (born) is a Pakistani actress, singer and former model who predominantly works in Urdu cinema and television. She is best known for portraying the role of Kashaf Murtaza in Momina Duraid's Zindagi Gulzar Hai, for which she received numerous accolades, including Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress. Saeed made her television debut in the 2010 romance Daam.
Sanam Saeed

Sammy.joseph · The Image was shot in Karachi, Pakistan by me in the Bachaana movie promotions. Previously published: This Image is published no where. · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Sanam Saeed
- Birthplace
- London, England, UK
- Education
- L'Ecole College
- Occupation
- Actress
- Nationality
- Pakistan
- Honours
- Lux Style Awards
- Languages
- Urdu · English
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Sanam Saeed (born) is a Pakistani actress, singer and former model who predominantly works in Urdu cinema and television. She is best known for portraying the role of Kashaf Murtaza in Momina Duraid's Zindagi Gulzar Hai, for which she received numerous accolades, including Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress. Saeed made her television debut in the 2010 romance Daam.
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Sanam Saeed (born 1985) is an actor, actress and model, among other activities, of Pakistani nationality. The actor was born in London.
Languages used include English and Urdu. Honours include Lux Style Awards.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
Saeed had her first commercial success with the 2013 romantic television series Zindagi Gulzar Hai. She rose to prominence by featuring as the female lead in several top-grossing series, including Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu (2013), Talkhiyaan (2013), Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2013) and Kadoorat (2013), Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye (2013), Firaaq (2014). She received critical recognition for playing an antagonist in the 2015 family drama Diyar-e-Dil, that earned her a nomination for Best Villain at Hum Awards. Saeed was last seen playing the main protagonist in Deedan (2018) opposite Mohib Mirza, whom she married in 2021. After establishing herself as a leading actress in television, Saeed made her film debut with the 2016 romantic comedy Bachaana and later appeared in a supporting role in Dobara Phir Se in the same year. Both of which earned her nomination for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively at Lux Style Awards. Her other film appearances include the biographical drama Mah-e-Mir, the period drama film Rahm (both 2016), the melodrama Azaad (2017) and the family drama Cake (2018). In 2019, Saeed was named "Pride of Pakistan" by Daily Times.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Sanam Saeed • Birthplace — London, England, UK • Education — L'Ecole College • Years Active — 2007–present • Occupation — Actress
Early life and education
Early life and education
Sanam Saeed was born in London, England, in. Her father is a retired interior designer, while her mother was an art teacher. She has a brother and a sister. The multi-ethnic family (her father is a Punjabi while her mother is a Memon) moved back to Karachi in 1990 or 1991. Saeed did her O-levels at Bay View High School, Karachi and her A-levels at L'Ecole College, also in Karachi. She acted on stage in school plays. She started modelling at the age of 17; she said that her height, at 5'9", helped. She later said that she had quit modelling because she was becoming increasingly conscious about her looks for the first time in her life. She said it was a "great way to earn money, but [she] never particularly enjoyed it".
Live comedy and theatre
Live comedy and theatre
In 2004 Saeed was a member of Pakistan's first English-speaking improv comedy troupe, Blackfish. Created by Saad Haroon, the troupe represented Pakistan in an international youth theatre festival called "Contacting the World" at Contact Theatre in Manchester, England, in 2004. Saeed has worked on stage in various types of theatre. She performed in Nida Butt's successful musicals, Chicago (2007), and Mamma Mia! (2009), which required her to sing, act, and dance. In 2010, she joined the Coke Studio entourage as a background vocalist. She also acted in the stage plays Carnage (2009), Dhaani (2013), and Grease (2013).
VJing
VJing
Saaed became a VJ on the Indus Music channel soon after its launch in 2003.
Television
Television
Saeed started her acting career with a supporting role in the 2010 ARY Digital serial, Daam, the adaption of Umera Ahmad's novel of the same name, opposite Aamina Sheikh and Sanam Baloch. Directed by Mehreen Jabbar, Saeed played the role of Fiza, a "selfish and arrogant girl" who develops feelings for her sister-in-law's brother, which later become a burden for her. The following year she played the lead female role in Adnan Ahmed's Hum TV serial Mera Naseeb, along with Syra Yousuf, Imran Aslam and Imran Abbas Naqvi. Her portrayal of Shazia, an outspoken and rebellious girl, was particularly praised. Saeed followed with the role of Yamina, a British Pakistani who is married to a materialistic snob, a wife beater (played by Junaid Khan) in Mehreen Jabbar's Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu an adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name. Sultana Siddiqui's romantic drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai an adaption of Umera Ahmad's novel of the same name was Saeed's next series. Co-starring Fawad Khan, she was cast as Kashaf Murtaza, a very sensible and mature girl, coming from a middle-class family background. It marked a departure from the glamorous characters that she had a reputation for portraying. The pairing of Saeed with Khan proved a major commercial success, as well as earning her three Best Actress awards. Saeed played Bibi, a Syrian Christian single mother in Bee Gul's 2013 drama series, Talkhiyan, based on Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things. The series, which was directed by Khalid Ahmed and set in Murree, received positive feedback from the critics and Saeed's performance was especially praised. Saeed next played opposite Junaid Khan in the 2013 mystery drama Kadoorat, aired on Hum TV from Momina Duraid. Her role was Minah, who took revenge from her stepmother and stepsister and later felt guilty. The same year, she appeared in Geo TV serial Ek Kasak Reh Gaye opposite Mikaal Zulfiqar and ARY Digital's Shukk opposite Adeel Hussain and Ayesha Khan. Saeed next appeared opposite Ahsan Khan and Sarwat Gilani in the romantic telefilm Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri, her third collaboration with Mehreen Jabbar. The telefilm was the remake of Waheed Murad's 1968 film of the same name. She featured in the role of "a rich and spoiled brat". The telefilm received mixed reviews from critics, but Saeed's performance was praised by both critics and viewers. Saeed also starred in two other Eid special telefilms Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye opposite Goher Mumtaz and Tamana ki Tamana opposite Bilal Khan and Mathira. Her only serial of 2014 was the Hum TV serial Firaaq, opposite Mohib Mirza, Noor Hassan Rizvi, and Junaid Khan. In the highly successful 2015 series Diyar-e-Dil, Saeed portrayed Ruhina Behroze Khan, a young middle-class girl who marries her rich class fellow Behroze Khan (played by Zulfiqar), against his family members and leaves home and gives birth to new rivalry in both families. Directed by Haseeb Hassan, and based on Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name, she was cast alongside Maya Ali, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Osman Khalid Butt, and Abid Ali.
Music
Music
Saeed briefly appeared in the third season of Coke Studio Pakistan, where she sang background vocals on "Alif Allah (Jugni)" by Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi, "Aisha" by Amanat Ali and "Chori Chori" by Meesha Shafi as a backing vocalist.
Personal life
Personal life
Saeed married her childhood friend, Farhan Hassan, a banker from Karachi, on 2 January 2015. In 2018, Saeed stated that they had divorced. In 2021, Saeed married actor Mohib Mirza in a private ceremony, and announced their wedding in 2023. Their son was born in May 2025.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Network — Director — Notes — Ref(s) • 2010 — Daam — Fiza — ARY Digital — Mehreen Jabbar — Debut • 2011 — Mera Naseeb — Shazia — Hum TV — Adnan Ahmed • 2012 — Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu — Yamina Sajjad — Mehreen Jabbar • Talkhiyaan — Bibi — Express Entertainment — Khalid Ahmed • Zindagi Gulzar Hai — Kashaf Murtaza — Hum TV — Sultana Siddiqui • 2013 — Kadoorat — Minah — Aabis Raza • Ek Kasak Reh Gayi — Paras — Geo Entertainment — Dilawar Malik • Shukk — Sania — ARY Digital — Yasir Nawaz • 2014 — Firaaq — Paimaan — Hum TV — Aabis Raza • 2015 — Diyar-e-Dil — Ruhina Behroze Khan — Haseeb Hassan • 2016 — Dil Banjaara — Nida Nafees — Siraj-ul-Haque • 2018 — Aakhri Station — Tehmina — ARY Digital — Sarmad Khoosat — Mini Series • Deedan — Resham — A-Plus TV — Amin Iqbal • 2025 — Doosra Chehra — Zara — Geo Entertainment — Shehrazade Sheikh — Mini Series • Main Manto Nahin Hoon — Professor Maria Chauhan — ARY Digital — Nadeem Baig — Drama Comeback after 8 year hiatus • Kafeel — Zeba Jamshed — Meesam Naqvi
Other appearances
Other appearances
• Year — Title — Role — Director — Notes — Ref(s) • 2013 — Dil Mera Dharkan Teri — Beenish — Mehreen Jabbar — Telefilm • Kahin Chand Na Sharma Jaye — Mishal / Sameer — Siraj-ul-Haque • Tamanna ki Tamanna — Zainab • 2015 — Mr. Shamim — Maya — Hassan Saqib — Sitcom
Web Series
Web Series
• Year — Title — Role — Platform — Director — Ref(s) • 2021 — Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam — Zuvi — Zee5 — Meenu Gaur • 2024 — Barzakh — Scheherezade — Asim Abbasi • Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo — Vittoria Akhtar — Netflix — Momina Duraid • Shandur — SonyLiv
Theatre
Theatre
• Year — Theatre Play — Role — Ref(s) • 2007 — Chicago — Roxie Hart • 2009 — Mama Mia — Rosie • Carnage — Veronica • 2013 — Grease — Rizz • Dhaani — Ruqayya
Other recognitions
Other recognitions
• Year — Award — Category — Ref(s) • 2019 — Daily Times — Pride of Pakistan • 2025 — HELLO! HOT 100 — Trailblazer
Film
Film
In 2016, she was seen in four Pakistani films. She made her film debut in Nasir Khan's romantic thriller Bachaana with Mohib Mirza She next appeared in Anjum Shahzad and Sarmad Sehbai's Mah-e-Meer, along with Fahad Mustafa and Iman Ali, describing it as the first "glamorous" role of her career. She was also seen in Ahmed Jamal's Rahm. She then appeared in Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se, alongside Adeel Hussain, Hareem Farooq, Ali Kazmi and Tooba Siddiqui, which earned her an award for Best supporting actress (film) at the 16th Lux Style Awards. In 2018, she appeared as the younger sister Zara in the critically acclaimed film Cake. Reviewing the film for The Express Tribune, critic Rahul Aijaz appreciates Saeed's extraordinary performance in the film and wrote "Saeed portrays Zara with suppressed emotions, running away from her past. Hers is the journey we try to keep digging into, slowly. The actor's naturally calm exterior and controlled style of speaking aid her project Zara's insecurities".
Other activities
Other activities
In 2010, Saeed was selected to be the brand spokesperson for the international cosmetics brand L'Oréal Paris, the only one in Karachi.
Films
Films
Key • Denotes films that have not yet been released • Year — Title — Role — Director — Notes — Ref(s) • 2016 — Bachaana — Aalia — Nasir Khan — Film Debut • Mah-e-Meer — Naina Kanwal — Anjum Shahzad — Based on the life of Mir Taqi Mir • Dobara Phir Se — Samar — Mehreen Jabbar • Rahm — Samina — Ahmed Jamal • 2017 — Azad — Sabreen Hisbani — Rehan Sheikh — Screened at South Asian International Film Festival • 2018 — Cake — Zara — Asim Abbasi • 2022 — Ishrat Made in China — Akhtar — Mohib Mirza • 2024 — Umro Ayyar - A New Beginning — Meena — Azfar Jafri • 2025 — The Martial Artist — Pash — Shaz Khan • Filming
Discography
• Year — Song — Notes — Ref(s) • 2010 — "Alif Allah (Jugni)" — on Coke Studio Pakistan (Season 3) as a backing vocalist • "Aisha" • "Chori Chori"
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Sanam Saeed”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q712611: Sanam Saeed
General reference · Wikidata
Awards and nominations
• Year — Award — Category — Work — Result — Ref(s) • 2012 — L'Oréal Paris Awards — Model of the year • 2013 — Tarang House Full Awards — Best Female In Supporting Role — Dil Mera Dharkan Teri • 2014 — 2nd Hum Awards — Best Actor in a negative role — Kadoorat • Best Actor Female (Jury) — Zindagi Gulzar Hai • Best Actor Female (Popular) • Best On-screen Couple (Jury) • Best On-screen Couple (Popular) • 13th Lux Style Awards — Best Television Actress - Satellite • 2016 — 4th Hum Awards — Best Actor in a negative role — Diyar-e-Dil • 1st Hum Style Awards — Most Stylish Actress - Film — Dobara Phir Se • 2017 — 16th Lux Style Awards — Best Supporting Actress in a Film • Best Actress in a Film — Bachaana • Eastern Eye Awards — Best Film Actress — Rahm • 2nd Hum Style Awards — Most Stylish Actress - Film — Cake • 2019 — 18th Lux Style Awards — Best Film Actress • 2026 — 3rd Pakistan International Screen Awards — Best Actress - Film — Umro Ayyar - A New Beginning
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.India uses cinema to tell its stories, we use TV, says Kashaf of Zindagi Gulzar Hai (actress Sanam Saeed). The Indian Express newspaper. 14 July 2014.
- 2.Saeed, Sanam. Interview of Sanam Saeed (Brand Spokesperson – L'Oreal Pakistan). fashioncentral.pk. 15 August 2010.
- 3.Salima Feerasta (9 March 2014), "Sanam Saeed & Sanam Jung: Double act", The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- 4.Interview with Samina Peerzada. "Sanam Saeed Like Never Before | Speak Your Heart With Samina Peerzada | Part I", uploaded on YouTube on 8 November 2018.
- 5.Saeed, Sanam. First person: Outspoken? Self-righteous? "Not me!" says Sanam Saeed. DAWN.COM. 23 February 2013.
- 6.Showbizpak.com. Sanam Saeed: Biography, Interview, and Pics.
- 7.Oh Sanam!. styleonpaper. 10 June 2013.
- 8.Fish out of water. Dawn. 1 August 2004.
- 9.Rashed, Fariha. Theatre: a mirror of social issues.
- 10.Zakir, Fatima. The Business of Music. Newsline. 18 April 2016.
- 11.Ghazanfar Ali – The Pioneer Of Private Television In Pakistan. Pakistan In The 2000s. 29 July 2019.
- 12.Thenewsreports.com. Fawad Khan on Kissing: "I didn't want to hurt the sentiments of my core audience".
- 13.Zeenews.india.com. I like the idea of virgin romance: Fawad Khan | Zee News. 30 September 2014.
- 14.Nandini Sharma. Indian Author Accuses Pakistani Serial Of Plagiarism | Business Insider India. Businessinsider.in. 29 September 2014.
- 15.Zeenews.india.com. Sanam Saeed back as Shazia in Zindagi's 'Mera Naseeb' | Zee News. 19 September 2014.
- 16.Ahmedabad Mirror. FK's virgin romance!. 3 October 2014.
- 17.Nation.com.pk. Breast cancer campaign from 13th. 11 October 2014.
- 18.Firstpost. Sisters under the skin? Chitra Divakaruni says Zindagi serial rips off her novel. 3 October 2014.
- 19.dramas-online. Dayar e Dil New Drama Coming Soon on Hum Tv. 3 November 2015.
- 20.Express Tribune. Bachaana' makes Rs20m in three days. 29 February 2016.
- 21.Sanam Saeed to play an Indian in upcoming Pakistani film. tribune.com.pk. 15 May 2015.
- 22.New film on the horizon: Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza to star in Bachaana. dawn.com. 15 May 2015.
- 23.Express Tribune. 'Mah-e-Meer' to hit theatres on May 6. 27 March 2016.
- 24.McCahill, Mike. Cake review – Karachi sister act ditches melodrama for real life. The Guardian newspaper. 29 March 2018.
- 25.'Cake' review: One slice just won't be enough - The Express Tribune. The Express Tribune. 30 March 2018.
- 26.Sanam Saeed Coke Studio Bio.
- 27.Dawn.com. Sanam Saeed ties the knot with childhood friend. 3 January 2015.
- 28.Afzal, Asfia. Sanam Saeed marries childhood friend. Business Recorder. 3 January 2015.
- 29."I couldn't balance marriage and my mother's declining health: Sanam Saeed". The Express Tribune. 9 November 2018.
- 30.Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza officially announce their marriage. The Express Tribune. 5 March 2023.
- 31.Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza announce the birth of their son Vali. Images. 20 June 2025.
- 32.Hassan, Malik. Review: Bachaana is a big slice of highly palatable cheese. Daily Times Pakistan. 28 February 2015.
- 33.Lodhi, Rita. 'Dobara Phir Se' release date finally revealed. Aaj News. Aaj TV. 3 September 2016.
- 34.Saeed, Mahek. Our women don't have much exposure of the outside world: Sanam Saeed. The Express Tribune. 9 December 2015.
- 35.Salman, Ifrah. Rehan Sheikh's Azad to release on 9th Feb 2018!. HIP. 11 January 2018.
- 36.Niazi, Fatima. 4 reasons why we are waiting for the film 'Cake'. HIP. 9 February 2017.
- 37.NewsBytes. Cake wins big at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal.
- 38.Ishrat Made in China's first teaser is finally here. Images by Dawn. 18 December 2021.
- 39.Lodhi, Rida. 'Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning' trailer unveils intriguing blend of adventure and fantasy. The Express Tribune. 2024-04-08.
- 40.Style, BR Life &. Actor Sanam Saeed reveals upcoming film 'Umro Ayyar'. Brecorder. 2023-05-29.
- 41.The Martial Artist Film - Official Movie Website. The Martial Artist Film.
- 42.Aan is not a love triangle, says Haseeb Hasan. The News International (newspaper). 5 March 2020.
- 43.Rehman Chagani, Anum. I like taking on characters that empower women: Sanam Saeed. DAWN. 14 November 2014.
- 44.India uses cinema to tell its stories, we use TV: Sanam Saeed. Times Of India. 14 July 2014.
- 45.Saadia Qamar. A story of bitterness: Meet the women of 'Talkhiyan'. The Express Tribune. 6 December 2012.
- 46.The News On Sunday. Diyar-e-Dil: Of love, pride and family values. 15 November 2015.
- 47.Gypsy is not just another drama about wailing women, says Mira Sethi. DAWN. 2 June 2016.
- 48.Aakhri Station Drama Sarmad Khoosat Sanam Saeed. OxGadgets. 4 February 2018.
- 49.Shabbir, Buraq. Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza starrer Deedan is a unique tale.
- 50.Sanam , Saboor, and Asad mesmerize audiences with 'Doosra Chehra' trailer. 2 June 2025.
- 51.Sanam Saeed was 'very concerned' about taking on a Khalilur Rehman Qamar script with Main Manto Nahi Hoon. Images. 2025-09-13.
- 52.Staff, Images. Sanam Saeed wants women to know that Zeba's suffering in Kafeel isn't noble or virtuous, it's an 'eye-opener'. Images. 2026-01-17.
- 53.Sanam Saeed & Sanam Jung: Double act. The Express Tribune. 9 March 2014.
- 54.Khan, Sher. Bilal Khan: Acting pushed me out of my comfort zone. Express Tribune. 22 August 2012.
- 55.Web Desk. Sanam Saeed lauds artists for strengthening Indo-Pak cultural ties. The News. 2 December 2021.
- 56.EXCLUSIVE: Barzakh's Sanam Saeed desires to work with Aamir Khan, Tabu; talks about Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. PINKVILLA. 2024-07-02.
- 57.Rafique, Rija. Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed reunite for new project 'Shandur'. Minute Mirror. 2024-06-01.
- 58.Kulsoom. Attending Chicago the Musical…in Karachi. Wordpress. 6 January 2015.
- 59.Chicago in Karachi opens new avenues to art, theatre and a 'wicked' world of possibilities. Saba Sartaj K.
- 60.Mamma Mia! Here they go again!. JANG News.
- 61.'God of Carnage' a play by Nida Butt. Pakistan Today. 6 December 2012.
- 62.Salima Fareesta. Grease The musical delivers a fun night out. Karachista. 20 January 2015.
- 63.Dhaani: Great performances lost in vain. The Express Tribune. 20 May 2013.
- 64.13 Lux Style Awards: and the winners are . Dawn. 5 December 2014.
- 65.HIP. The awards will be held in Karachi on April 23rd and the voting lines are open till April 6, 2016. 6 April 2016.
- 66.Dawn. Here are the winners from the first ever Hum Style Awards. 29 October 2016.
- 67.Images Staff. Here's what's going down at the Lux Style Awards 2017 right now [LIVE]. Images. 19 April 2017.
- 68.Dawn. Sanam Saeed Wins Best Actress At Eastern Eye Awards. Images. 23 May 2017.
- 69.A list of who won what at the Hum Style Awards. 22 October 2017.
- 70.Did your favorites get nominated for Lux Style Awards 2019?. www.thenews.com.pk. 30 March 2019.
- 71."https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/495568-who-won-at-the-mega-lux-style-awrds-2019" (18)
- 72.Pisa Awards. pisaawards.com.
- 73.Pride of Pakistan Sanam Saeed. Daily Times. 29 August 2019.
- 74.Instagram. www.instagram.com.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,589 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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