Durefishan Saleem is a Pakistani actress who works in Urdu television. She made her acting debut with a supporting role in Hum TV's comedy drama Dil Ruba (2020) and subsequently had a leading role in the romantic family Bhaaras (2020). She received wider popularity after starring in a tragic romance series Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi (2022), the light-hearted series Ishq Murshid (2023) and Sanwal Yaar Piya (2025). She is the Recipient of Hum Awards.
Early life and education Durefishan was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, to Saleem-ul-Hassan, who worked as a director and producer for PTV in the 2000s. Her mother's name is Shumaila Saleem. She has three siblings – two brothers Abdullah and Rohan and a sister Rameen. She obtained her LLB from University College London. In 2019, she moved to Karachi to make her career in acting.
Career Early work and breakthrough (2020–present)
Saleem made her acting debut with a supporting role of Erum Jameel in Dil Ruba starring Hania Amir and Mohib Mirza. She received a nomination for a Lux Style Awards for Best Emerging Talent in Television. The same year, she starred in a leading role Zoya in family romantic series Bhaaras opposite Zubab Rana and Omer Shahzad. After that, she acted in Pardes with Affan Waheed and Juda Huay Kuch Is Tarha.
In 2022, she portrayed an innocent Mehak in love-dramatic series Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi opposite Danish Taimoor in their first on-screen appearance which gained her wider popularity and recognition and the series crossed more than 1 Billion Views. In 2023, she briefly appeared in the thriller series Jurm alongside Wahaj Ali then in an antholology-series Siyaah, and she portrayed as a motivational speaker in family classic series Jaisay Aapki Marzi opposite Mikaal Zulfiqar. She was also offered to act in Jhok Sarkar along with Farhan Saeed.
She ended the year with her portrayal of a head-strong woman Shibra Shahmeer in the romantic series Ishq Murshid opposite Bilal Abbas Khan. The series emerged as the major success crossed more than 1 billion views. Writing for Redbrick opined, "Khan's transition between two personality is "effortless". In 2024, she starred as a Pashtun woman Zamda in revenge-thriller series Khaie
In 2025, Saleem appeared as a college student in Sanwal Yaar Piya along with Feroze Khan and Ahmed Ali Akbar which also marks their first project together. It became the first Pakistani drama of 2026 to enter the "1 Billion Views Club". In 2026, Saleem was going to appear in Dar-e-Nijaat opposite Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, Nameer Khan and Sahar Hashmi in their first on-screen appearance.
Other work and media image Fishan has also appeared as a guest on various shows. In 2023, she portrayed as Sara in Siyaah. She was placed in Hello Pakistan's HOT100 list, in the "Trailblazers" category in 2020. Also, in the same year she featured in the "Most Talented New Pakistani Actors" list for her performance in Dil Ruba. The actress serves as a brand ambassador for several products such as Garnier Color Naturals and Vivo V50 and has done several photoshoots. In 2024, she was named among "Top 10 Pakistani Actresses" for her performance in Jaisay Aapki Marzi and Ishq Murshid.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.2020Dil RubaErum JameelHum TV2020–2021BharaasZoyaARY Digital2021PardesAimenJuda Huay Kuch Is TarhaMahaHum TV2022Kaisi Teri KhudgarziMehak ShamsherARY Digital2023Jaisay Aapki MarziAleezay2023–2024Ishq MurshidShibra Shahmeer Hum TV2024KhaieZamda KhanGeo Entertainment2025–2026Sanwal Yaar PiyaPiya Aslam2026–presentDar-e-NijaatZaryabARY Digital
Telefilms Year Title Role NetworkRef Notes2021Hangor S-131SameeraARY DigitalTelefilm2023Jurm Ayla Nadeem Geo Entertainment Miniseries2023Siyaah SaraGreen EntertainmentEpisode: "Mask Man"
Music videos YearSongArtistRef2023"Dard"Asim Azhar
Awards and nominations Year Work Category Result Lux Style Awards2021Dil RubaEmerging Talent of the Year 2022 Pardes Best TV Actress - Viewers' Choice 2023 Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi Best TV Actress - Viewer's Choice2025Jaisay Aapki MarziBest TV Actress - Viewer's Choice2025Ishq MurshidBest Actor of the Year - Female Viewers’ Choice2025KhaieBest Actor of the Year - Female Viewers’ Choice Hum Awards 2025 Ishq MurshidBest Actress Popular 2025 Ishq MurshidBest Actress Jury 2025 Ishq MurshidBest Onscreen Couple Popular with Bilal Abbas Khan 2025 Ishq MurshidBest Onscreen Couple Jury with Bilal Abbas KhanPakistan International Screen Awards2026KhaieBest TV Actress Critics2026Ishq MurshidBest On-Screen Couple with Bilal Abbas Khan ARY People's Choice Awards 2021 Bharaas New Emerging Talent (Female) 2021 Bharaas Favourite Actress in Bahu Role
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