Fahad Salahuddin, known professionally as Fahad Mustafa (, ; born 26 June 1983), is a Pakistani actor, producer, and television host who works in Urdu films and television. One of Pakistan's highest-paid actors. As a producer he has numerous series that have been well received. Mustafa also hosts Jeeto Pakistan, since 2014 which is known 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 (2003). He rose to fame with popular dramas including Main Abdul Qadir Hoon (2010), Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si (2012), Daagh (2012), Kankar (2013) and Dusri Biwi (2014). After a long hiatus, he made his television comeback with the romantic drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (2024), which he earned him the Lux Style Award for Best Actor Popular.
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 (2002). 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 (2009) 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 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 (2010), Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si (2012), Daagh (2012), Kankar (2013) and Dusri Biwi (2014).
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. Mustafa will next star in Nabeel Qureshi's upcoming zombie thriller Zombeid, opposite Mehwish Hayat and Babar Ali. The film is scheduled for release on Eid al-Adha in 2026.
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 +KeyDenotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film RoleNotesRef. 2014 Na Maloom Afraad Farhan AhmedDebut film 2015 Jawani Phir Nahi Ani Himself Special appearance2016 Mah e Mir Ahmad Jamal / Mir Taqi Mir Actor in Law Shan Mirza 3 Bahadur: The Revenge of Baba Balaam Imran Voice only 2017 Na Maloom Afraad 2 Farhan Ahmed2018 Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 Rahat Load Wedding Raja 3 Bahadur: Rise of the Warriors Imran Voice only 2022 Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad Inspector Gulab Mughal2024Na Baligh AfraadGuest appearance2026Aag Lagay Basti MeinBarkatZombeid Wali
Television
Actor Year Drama RoleNetworkRef()s2002Sheeshay Ka Mahal PTV 2003 Umrao Jaan Ada Geo Entertainment 2004 Wujood-e-LaraibSadiIndus TV2005 ShiddatHum TV Lahasil Zain Adaab 2006 Makan GulfamGeo Entertainment 2008 Yeh Zindagi Hai Bhola ChutkiyanHum TV2009 Tum Jo Miley Hadi Veena Veena / MuradARY Digital Woh Ishq AashtiSaeed-ul-IslamHum TV Tair-e-LahootiPasha2010 Main Abdul Qadir Hoon Abdul Qadir SandalTailor AsadullahGeo Entertainment2011 Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya MazharARY Digital Main Chand Si Farhan Mastana Mahi Adal SoomroHum TV Ek Hatheli Pe Hina Ek Hatheli Pe LahooZain-ul-AbideenGeo Entertainment2012 Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si MohsinHum TV Mera Saaein 2 Malik Wajahat HayatARY Digital2013 Daagh Murad Mere Humrahi Ahmed Kankar SikandarHum TV2014 Koi Nahi ApnaHamza ARY DigitalMaaye NiHuzaifaPul SiratAsad 2015 Dusri Bivi Hassan2024Kabhi Main Kabhi TumMustafa Ahmed
Host Year Show2009–14Jago Pakistan Jago2014–presentJeeto Pakistan
Producer (Under banner of Big Bang Entertainment)
Year TitleNetwork2013Meri Beti ARY Digital2014Koi Nahi ApnaDusri BiwiBahu BegumSoutan 2015Rang Laaga Mere Jeevan Saathi Begunaah Zinda Dargor 2016Bay AibUrdu 1Yeh Ishq ARY DigitalWaada Muqabil Beqasoor Andaaz-e-SitamUrdu 1Haya Kay Rang ARY ZindagiNaimat ARY DigitalTum Yaad Aaye Aap Ke Liye Saheliyaan Mere Baba ki Ounchi Haveli ARY ZindagiTeri Chah Mein ARY DigitalMera Yaar Miladay Socha Na Tha ARY ZindagiDil Haari Shehzada Saleem ARY Digital 2017Bubbly Kya Chahti Hai Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hai Zaakham Bilqees Urf BittoUrdu 1Bachay Baraye FarokhtTeri Raza ARY DigitalAisi Hai Tanhai 2018Meri GuriyaNibahBabban Khala Ki BetiyannBadbakhtARY ZindagiBalaa ARY DigitalKhudparastVisaal 2019Cheekh Bandish Hasad Bewafa 2020 IshqiyaJalanNandAulaad Dunk 2021 Ishq HaiLockdownExpress EntertainmentHum Tum2022Dil-e-VeeranARY DigitalTaqdeerMujhe Pyaar Hua ThaPyar Deewangi Hai (TV series)2023Maray Hi RahnaMayi RiMeinBandish 22024HasaratTera WaadaBurns Road Kay Romeo JulietKabhi Main Kabhi Tum2024-2025Bharam2025ParwarishBiryaniChalbaaz2025-2026Kafeel
Awards and nominations Acting and hosting awards
! Ref |- ! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Lux Style Awards |- |2009 |Kaisey Aye Karar | Best TV Actor (Terrestrial)
| 2010 | Veena | rowspan="6"|Best TV Actor (Satellite)
|2011 |Haal-e-Dil
|rowspan="2"|2012 |Abdul Qadir – Main Abdul Qadir Hoon | |rowspan="2"| |- |Adal Soomro – Mastana Mahi
|rowspan="2"|2014 |Murad – Daagh | |rowspan="2"| |- |Sikandar – Kankar
|2015 |Farhan – Na Maloom Afraad |Best Film Actor
|rowspan="2"|2017 |Jamal/Mir – Mah e Mir | rowspan="3"|Best Lead Actor in a Film | |rowspan="2"| |- |Shan Mirza – Actor in Law
|2018 |Farhan – Na Maloom Afraad 2
|2019 |Raja – Load Wedding |Best Film Actor (Critics' choice)
|2026 |Mustafa Ahmed – Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum |Actor of the Year - Male (Viewers’ choice)
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Hum Awards |- |2013 |Jago Pakistan Jago |Hum Award for Best Host
|rowspan="4"|2014 |rowspan="2"|Sikandar – Kankar |Hum Award for Best Actor | |rowspan="4"| |- |Hum Award for Best Actor Popular
|rowspan="2"|Kankar (shared with Sanam Baloch) |Hum Award for Best Onscreen Couple
|Hum Award for Best Onscreen Couple Popular
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Hum Style Awards |- |2016 |Jeeto Pakistan |Most Stylish TV Host
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|International Pakistan Prestige Awards |- |2017 |Shan Mirza – Actor in Law |Best Film Actor
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Pakistan International Film Festival |- |2018 |Shan Mirza – Actor in Law |Best Actor (Male)
! style="background:#bfd7ff" colspan="5"|Pakistan International Screen Awards |- |rowspan=3|2026 |rowspan=2|Mustafa Ahmed – Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum |Best Actor - TV (Popular) | |rowspan=3| |- |Best Actor - TV (Critic’s Choice)
|Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum shared with Hania Aamir |Best Onscreen Couple
Production awards
Ceremony Category Project Result 2016 15th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Play Rang Laaga rowspan="5" 2018 17th Lux Style Awards Muqabil2019 18th Lux Style Awards Aisi Hai Tanhai2020 19th Lux Style Awards Cheekh202221st Lux Style AwardsIshq Haidawn.com https://tribune.com.pk/story/2324144/lsa-2021-winners-bayaan-and-pyaar-ke-sadqay-reign-supreme? dawn.com dawn.com https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387740/l202322nd Lux Style AwardsBest TV Long PlayBetiyaan Honorary awards Year Ceremony Category Work Result Ref.2024UK ParliamentDiversity and Cultural Impact AwardFor making an impact globally through his contributions in Pakistani entertainment and media industryGlobal Cultural Unity Award
Footnotes
References
External links
Fahad Mustafa at The Express Tribune
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