Ten Underrated Pakistani Actors Who Deserve Better

Showbiz is one of those fields in Pakistan where you either click or you don’t. Similarly, some actors who have the passion to improve go on to grow into legends, while others falter and remain underrated for long stretches of their careers. It is often believed that, unlike female actors, men have a longer window to play leading roles—a notion that is only true if you have a production house or television channel backing you. Otherwise, even good-looking men are relegated to supporting roles, their work appreciated but their talent remaining underrated through no fault of their own.

That said, being “underrated” in Pakistani television does not mean being unknown. More often, it means being reliable rather than flashy, nuanced rather than loud, and skilled enough to make even uneven writing feel believable. These are actors who elevate scenes without demanding the spotlight—performers whose consistency and craft deserve far greater recognition. Let’s find out who they are and why they continue to remain in the background when they could very easily conquer the world.

Rehan Sheikh

Just as Mahnoor Baloch was every boy’s crush of the 1990s, Rehan Sheikh was every girl’s crush in the first half of his career. He gained prominence through the Kiran Kahani remake and strengthened his foothold in the industry with the Travel Guide of Pakistan. Later, he worked in several TV dramas as a leading man, often in projects where many current big names were relegated to supporting roles. Such was his presence and command as a leading man—something that hasn’t changed even after his transition to character roles.

Through theatre work in England, Rehan continues to refine his craft. From an actor who once specialized in leading roles, he has transformed into someone who can effortlessly play morally ambiguous figures, often portraying authority with quiet menace or vulnerability. His performances reward close attention and deserve far more than the stereotypical “dad” roles he is currently being offered. The industry should realize how lucky it is to have him in its midst—otherwise, he can always return to the theatre in England, where he is appreciated even today.

Ali Tahir

When Ali Tahir debuted as an actor in the 1990s, he was part of PTV royalty. His father, Naeem Tahir, was one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry, while his mother, Yasmin Tahir, was a renowned newscaster and host. Being the grandson of Imtiaz Ali Taj—the man who introduced Urdu to theatre—must have weighed heavily on him, yet he chose to carve out his own identity. From breathing life into Tony in the sitcom Teen Bata Teen and directing Samjhota Express to winning audiences over with masterful performances in Iltija, Phaans, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay, Shirin Farhad, and Sanwal Yaar Piya, he has done it all.

Still, he appears to be searching for that one defining character that would cement his place among the greats—a glimpse of which he offered in Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Sher. His command over language and presence make him memorable even in brief appearances, as seen in Inkaar, where he played a lawyer who was corrupt to the core yet entirely unashamed. Why he isn’t cast in more meaningful roles is a question for directors and writers alike, especially since they know he can bring dignity and depth to characters that might otherwise feel generic.

Shahood Alvi

Known for his gravitas, Shahood Alvi has been lending credibility to every project he has been part of since his debut. From playing a wronged actor in Na Kum Na Zyada and a friend with his own agenda in the Kiran Kahani remake in the mid-1990s to later dramas such as Bol Meri Machli, Ghisi Piti Mohabbat, Dunk, and Main Zameen Tu Aasmaan, he has rarely disappointed.

He possesses the rare ability to emote solely through tone and posture, often creating an entire backstory for his character without doing much at all. Relegating him to routine character roles is an injustice to an actor of his stature. Had he been working in any other country, characters would likely have been written specifically for him. Sadly, in Pakistan, actors are often automatically labeled “senior” the moment they cross 50.

Sajid Shah

Like Shahood Alvi, Sajid Shah also made his acting debut in the mid-1990s through Na Kum Na Zyada and has been delivering consistently strong performances ever since. Known for emotional honesty and restraint, he avoids excess, which is why even his smallest gestures and pauses carry weight. After all, Talat Hussain—his mentor—not only introduced him to television but also guided him throughout his career.

Whether playing the sympathetic father-in-law of a schizophrenic patient in Saraab or Maya Ali’s Bengali father in Jo Bichar Gaye, he has continually reinvented himself regardless of screen time. Actors like Sajid Shah deserve better-written characters so they can elevate scripts with their quiet magic.

Adnan Shah Tipu

You might remember him as the perennial loser from Sab Set Hai in the 1990s, but Adnan Shah Tipu has grown far beyond that sitcom role to become one of the industry’s most dependable character actors. In fact, his journey is a success story worth studying. His performances feel lived-in and authentic, and he often steals scenes through sheer believability.

Starting his career in Pakistani television, he moved on to films, then Bollywood, and later Hollywood. His presence guarantees that a project will not only be watchable but also meaningful. Unfortunately, he remains underutilized in Pakistan, despite being an actor of rare caliber. The sooner the industry realizes his importance, the better.

Deepak Perwani

The name sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Of course it does—Deepak Perwani is widely known as a fashion icon. However, he has also demonstrated genuine acting range in select roles, proving that his screen presence extends well beyond style and celebrity. From his first play, Mere Paas Paas, over two decades ago, to Qarz-e-Jaan and Jama Taqseem, he has shown how intensity can raise the bar for an entire project.

While fashion designers usually dabble in acting only occasionally, Deepak initially followed a similar path. However, the response he has received over the past three years has been phenomenal. Why his talent was underutilized in the first decade of his acting career—and why he isn’t cast in a film centered around a strong patriarch—are questions only writers and directors can answer. His inclusion would only make their projects more energetic and alive.

Faizan Sheikh

He can act, he can dance, and he can do comedy—all effortlessly. That’s Faizan Sheikh, an actor whose greatest strength is versatility. Despite fulfilling all the basic requirements of a leading man, he now finds himself repeatedly cast as an antagonist or in limited character roles, which is unfortunate.

Thanks to his ability to give even familiar character types a fresh, human edge, he has managed to sustain himself in an industry where many have failed. Most recently seen as one of the main antagonists in Sher and Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi, he excelled not just as a performer but as someone who genuinely connects with the audience. He needs better roles—not because he can do them well, but because he truly deserves them.

Hassan Ahmed

Tall, broad, and handsome, Hassan Ahmed somehow still isn’t considered leading-man material. Yet he has consistently delivered measured, intelligent performances, with Jama Taqseem and Baby Baji being recent examples. Despite decades of solid work, he remains underutilized and is often confined to supporting roles.

What’s troubling is that everyone acknowledges his talent and recognizes that he fits the authoritative roles currently being written for television and film. Not casting him in such parts is the industry’s loss, not his. Hassan Ahmed continues to excel regardless of what he is offered.

Affan Waheed

Would you believe that Affan Waheed has been around for over 20 years and has been part of blockbuster TV dramas like Tere Pehlu Mein and Dastaan? It’s true. Despite checking every box required of a leading man, he continues to be offered more supporting roles than leading ones. Yes, he played the main lead in Do Bol, Kasa-e-Dil, and Bandish 2, but true justice to his talent would mean seeing him in many more such projects.

Affan brings emotional restraint and internal conflict to his performances, often choosing subtlety over melodrama. Whether playing romantic leads or morally complex characters, he grounds them in realism. Everyone knows he can deliver—Sharpasand being one example—but few seem willing to take that bet.

Haris Waheed

With his naturalistic dialogue delivery and expressive body language, Haris Waheed excels in layered supporting roles, as seen in Pamaal. He often becomes the emotional anchor of ensemble casts—or the very reason an ensemble works—but it’s time he chooses quality over quantity.

With age on his side, the 32-year-old needs to take on roles that cement his place in the industry rather than accepting everything that comes his way. He belongs to a rare breed of underrated actors who need just one defining role to change the course of their careers.

The Pakistani television industry frequently prioritizes marketability over merit. Typecasting and an overreliance on social media popularity often limit opportunities for actors who thrive on depth rather than hype. Supporting performances—no matter how strong—rarely receive sustained attention, even though they are essential to compelling storytelling. These actors deserve better roles, better recognition, and an industry that values craft as much as visibility.