There are two kinds of actors in this world: those who keep working consistently to stay in the game, and those who take a break for various reasons, only to return with a vengeance. The year 2025 saw many big names from the past make a comeback, as if they had never left. These actors may not have played lead roles like they once did, but without their performances, many projects would not have succeeded.
So, who are these actors, and why are they being termed the comeback kings and queens of the year? Let’s find out.
Aamina Sheikh – Case No. 9
For over a decade, Aamina Sheikh was the first choice of directors and writers for their projects, whether on TV or in films. Her presence was a guarantee of quality. That changed a few years ago when she decided to take a break and dedicate her time to raising her children. Thankfully, the powerful character of Beenish in Case No. 9 pulled her out of retirement and reunited her with her Udaan and Maat co-star, Saba Qamar, who is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with.
Aamina Sheikh’s Beenish not only proved to be the perfect sparring partner for Saba Qamar’s Sehar, but also stood her ground against Noor ul Hassan’s Bukhari Sahab, who uses every trick in the book to defame her client. No other actress would have been as believable in the role, as the character required someone who could make women look strong, independent, and fierce. Aamina brought all these qualities to Beenish, making the role memorable for both her and the viewers.
Adnan Qavi – Jama Taqseem
The last time Adnan Qavi Khan acted in a television play, Pakistan was a world champion in cricket, hockey, squash, and snooker. He quit a promising career in the mid-1990s to settle abroad and returned to acting after 30 years to play Akmal in Jama Taqseem.
While he may not have achieved the legendary stature of his late father, Qavi Khan, he reminds viewers of him through his voice, mannerisms, and facial resemblance. Add to that the delightfully irritating character of a damaad he played on his return, and you have an actor who may yet play a big innings in his comeback. Well done.
Amena Khan – Jama Taqseem
Those who grew up in the 1990s may remember Amena Khan as Rose from VJ’s spoof version of Titanic or from the iconic Dr. Aur Billa song “Mujhe Tum Se Ho Gaya Hai Pyar.” However, she was far more than just a comic actress. She was part of a dynamic directing duo with Ahsan Rahim, responsible for many hit music videos in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Credit goes to HUM TV for making her comeback possible as Nudrat in Jama Taqseem, where she was paired with another “comeback king,” Adnan Qavi. Together, they brilliantly presented the outsiders’ point of view. One hopes Amena continues acting, as her presence in any project would be nothing short of a breath of fresh air.
Navin Waqar – Case No. 9
Navin Waqar may not have landed many big roles after the success of Humsafar, but as Manisha in Case No. 9, she proves that her absence was television’s loss, not hers. She plays a housewife who cannot stand injustice and brings just the right amount of fierceness required for the role.
The way she handles both the rape survivor, played by Saba Qamar, and her lawyer, portrayed by Aamina Sheikh, shows that she knows her craft and was merely waiting for a powerful character to be written for her. The drama succeeds in empowering its female audience, and Navin Waqar has a great deal to do with that.
Noman Masood – Tan Man Neel o Neel
Noman Masood had not been active on the acting scene since 2019 and, before Tan Man Neel o Neel, had done just one project, Meri Shehzadi. His absence may be attributed to his restaurant, Khaaba, which has been doing well in Islamabad, though he could easily have taken on supporting roles. Fortunately, Tan Man Neel o Neel allowed him to return, and he excelled in a character role that suited him perfectly.
Only a veteran like Noman Masood could bring the required depth, emotional range, and sense of guilt to the character. Drawing on his experience of working with A-list directors, as well as his own background as a producer, he portrayed Ehsan in a way that moved viewers and brought tears as they watched the character evolve.
Saima Noor – Main Manto Nahi Hoon
Now and then, an actor takes on a supporting role and outshines everyone else, including the leads. Saima Noor did precisely that in Main Manto Nahi Hoon. While her character was central to the rivalry between the two families, she was not the main driver of the plot—that honor belonged to Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly, who played a teacher and a student who fall in love. Yet the Lollywood starlet overshadowed them all with her mannerisms, grace, and range of emotions.
It would not be incorrect to say that Saima Noor was the highlight of Nadeem Baig’s serial. She kept the audience engaged throughout, looked better than anyone else on screen—including Sajal Aly, Sanam Saeed, Saba Hameed, and Saba Faisal—and, most impressively, remained relevant from start to finish, something nearly impossible for a supporting character. Without her, Main Manto Nahi Hoon might have faded into oblivion; she kept the boat steady until the very end.
Sanam Saeed – Doosra Chehra, Main Manto Nahi Hoon
Then there was Sanam Saeed, who made a splashy return to television with Geo Entertainment’s miniseries Doosra Chehra and later contributed to making Main Manto Nahi Hoon memorable as well. For reasons unknown, she had limited herself to films and OTT projects during her self-exile from TV, despite starting her career with Daam and delivering hits like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Diyar-e-Dil, and Aakhri Station.
Thankfully, she realized that television was her true base and delivered two major projects in 2025. Her performance as Zara in Doosra Chehra was as compelling as her portrayal of Miss Maria in Main Manto Nahi Hoon, where she kept her neighbor Manto in check both at work and at home. The way she carried herself and delivered her dialogues was enough of a reminder for fans who now want to see her in many more projects.
Sarwat Gillani – Biryani
Although Biryani was not the kind of hit writer Zafar Mairaj and director Badar Mehmood were hoping for, it did give viewers a welcome surprise by bringing Sarwat Gillani back to television. She looked graceful as Gul Meher, and her character carried an air of mystery during the first half of the serial, which was revealed at just the right moment to shock the audience.
While she had not retired from acting and remained busy with films and OTT platforms, television certainly missed her. On her return, she proved her mettle once again with a classy, confident performance.
