Fahad Mustafa
Fahad Salahuddin, known professionally as Fahad Mustafa, is a Pakistani actor, producer, and television host who works in Urdu films and television. He is regarded as one of the highest-paid actor in the country. As a producer he has numerous series that have been well received. He also hosts Jeeto Pakistan, which has aired on ARY Digital since 2014 and is described as the biggest game show in Pakistan.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Mustafa is the son of veteran Sindhi actor Salahuddin Tunio. He began his career in the early 2000s and made his acting debut with the television series Umrao Jaan Ada. He rose to fame with popular dramas including Main [Abdul Qadir Hoon], Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si, Daagh, Kankar and Dusri Biwi ''. After a long hiatus, he made his comeback with Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum'', which was a success with the public.
Early life
Mustafa was born into a Sindhi family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Salahuddin Tunio, is a well-known Sindhi actor. Mustafa has two brothers and one sister.He initially enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Baqai Medical University in Karachi, but dropped out before completing his studies.
Mustafa has credited Indian actor Govinda for inspiring him to become an actor.
Acting career
Television
Mustafa first gained recognition for his performance in Sheeshay Ka Mahal. In an interview with Dawn, he recalled that although the serial did not perform well, his work was noticed, and he continued to be cast despite initial reservations about his appearance. Mustafa said that during the early 17-18 episodes he had no spoken dialogue and appeared mainly as a silent character, but the experience proved formative for his career. He later described how he gained confidence and recognition through the project, which eventually led to further opportunities in television.His critically acclaimed role in the drama Veena earned him a nomination for Best TV Actor at the Lux Style Awards. Initially a guest appearance, he developed his part into the title role. He portrayed a transgender character, a role that required filming on location in interior Sindh, including scenes at a Sufi shrine. Mustafa later described the role as challenging and noted that he deliberately limited his screen appearances, believing it would make the character more acceptable to audiences. Also in 2009, he featured in Aashti, playing a Bengali character and learning the Bengali language, calling it one of his favorite roles.
His other notable television serials include Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si, Daagh, Kankar and Dusri Biwi ''.
Mustafa made his comeback to acting in the television industry in 2024 with Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum'' opposite Hania Amir, marking his comeback to television serials after nine years.
Cinema
He made his film debut in 2014 in director Nabeel Qureshi's Na Maloom Afraad. It was declared a box office hit. In 2016, he starred in Anjum Shahzad's Mah e Mir and Qureshi's Actor in Law. Actor in Law did very well at the box office and received critical acclaim, winning Film of the Year Award in the 16th Lux Style Awards, where Mustafa also won the Best Actor Award for his role in the film. He then had a voice role in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's animated film 3 Bahadur: The Revenge of Baba Balaam. In 2018, he starred in Nadeem Baig's Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 and Qureshi's Load Wedding; both of which released on same day, 22 August 2018.Other work
Production
In 2008, he ventured into television production, co-founding Big Bang Entertainment under which he has produced numerous dramas that have received critical acclaim as well awards. He produces mostly for ARY Digital.As of 2017 he had announced that will also be producing three films; the first Anjum Shehzad's Band Toh Ab Bajay Ga, which will be written by Yasir Hussain; the second one will be written by Ali Imran under ARY Films banner; and a third one for which no details have been announced yet.
Hosting
He has been the host of the well-known game show Jeeto Pakistan since 2014.He hosted the 1st Hum Awards in Karachi in 2013, and the 2nd ARY Film Awards in Dubai in 2016. In 2017, he hosted the launching ceremony for the Karachi Kings, a Pakistan Super League team franchise. He then also hosted the opening ceremony of the 2017 Pakistan Super League in Dubai.
Personal life
In 2006, Mustafa married Pakistani writer Sana Fahad. The couple has two children, a daughter born in April 2011, and a son born in January 2016.Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2014 | Na Maloom Afraad | Farhan Ahmed | Debut film | |
| 2015 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani | Himself | Special appearance | |
| 2016 | Mah e Mir | Ahmad Jamal / Mir Taqi Mir | ||
| 2016 | Actor in Law | Shan Mirza | ||
| 2016 | 3 Bahadur: The Revenge of Baba Balaam | Imran | Voice only | |
| 2017 | Na Maloom Afraad 2 | Farhan Ahmed | ||
| 2018 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 | Rahat | ||
| 2018 | Load Wedding | Raja | ||
| 2018 | 3 Bahadur: Rise of the Warriors | Imran | Voice only | |
| 2022 | Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad | Inspector Gulab Mughal | ||
| 2024 | Na Baligh Afraad | Inspector Gulab Mughal | Guest appearance | |
| 2026 | Aag Lage Basti Mein |
Television
Actor
Host
Producer
Awards and nominations
! Ref! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Lux Style Awards
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Hum Awards
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Hum Style Awards
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|International Pakistan Prestige Awards
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Pakistan International Film Festival
Production awards
| Ceremony | Category | Project | Result |
| 15th Lux Style Awards | Best TV Play | Rang Laaga | rowspan="5" Nomitated |
| 17th Lux Style Awards | Best TV Play | Muqabil | - |
| 18th Lux Style Awards | Best TV Play | Aisi Hai Tanhai | - |
| 19th Lux Style Awards | Best TV Play | Cheekh | - |
| 21st Lux Style Awards | Best TV Play | Ishq Hai | - |
| 22nd Lux Style Awards | Best TV Long Play | Betiyaan | Won |