Who Were the Standout Performers of 2025?

Acting is not much different from playing football; just as a great footballer can’t score without assistance from his colleagues, a great actor can’t deliver a brilliant performance without support from his co-stars.

2025 was one such year in which many actors—whether playing the main lead or supporting roles in Pakistani dramas—stood out due to their resilience, brilliance, and, of course, performance. Who were these actors? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and identify those who performed outstandingly over the last twelve months.

Those Who Led from the Front

It would be incorrect to say that 2025 was a year dominated solely by veterans—while Naumaan Ijaz demonstrated seniority with quality performances, Faysal Quraishi wasn’t far behind. Add the dynamic Saba Qamar to the equation, and you have a trio that doesn’t disappoint, no matter how many projects they appear in.

First of all, let’s talk about Naumaan Ijaz, who ended last year with Bismil and entered the new year with Duniyapur. Even though his character wasn’t the leading one, it was important enough to be taken seriously, and he performed it brilliantly. The veteran actor then followed this performance with Parwarish, where he played a Non-Resident Pakistani who returns to his roots, only to deal with family drama, notably involving his son.

If you thought these two performances were enough for Naumaan Ijaz to stake a claim on this list, think again, because he returned as Farasat Ali, the papa khutni of a star-studded mohallah. Not only did he build a character around lies, but he also incorporated the instincts of liars, sinners, and cheats into his persona to perfect it.

Faysal Quraishi follows next with three blockbuster dramas—the first being Behroopia, the second Raja Rani, and the last Case No. 9. In Behroopia, he played a man suffering from multiple personality disorder. In contrast, in Raja Rani, he portrayed a character with a mental disability. However, it was his turn as a conniving rapist in Case No. 9 that made him Villain No. 1 in the eyes of viewers, who are now anxious to watch Kamran’s downfall in the drama.

To the delight of Parizaad fans, Ahmed Ali Akbar made a comeback with two hit projects, making viewers forget Idiot, his post-Parizaad blunder. The first was Faraar, and the second was Sanwal Yaar Piya, and he excelled in both.

Much like last year’s Nadaan, he played a dutiful cop in Faraar, who, in this turn, was constantly suspended for pursuing justice, while in Sanwal Yaar Piya, he was on the receiving end of the law. While one role saw him as an Urdu-speaking character, the other was a ghunda speaking in a Sindhi accent who reforms after falling in love with a girl in the neighborhood.

Then there was Danish Taimoor, the eternal poster boy for stalking beautiful girls and then marrying them under the “reformed person” syndrome. Yes, the actor did precisely that in Mann Mast Malang, but his brilliant outing in Sher outweighed it. As Sher Zaman, he captured the hearts and minds of the audience by playing a character polar opposite to his on-screen persona, delivering a hit in which he not only rescues a young girl on the run but also stands by her, even though it means his doom.

Usman Mukhtar may have worked in just one drama throughout the year, but it turned out to be a win-win for him. Just as he ended last year on a high with Jafaa, he concluded this year with Pamaal, in which he played a character who kept evolving from start to finish. His performance as a mean, narcissistic man who turns over a new leaf after life throws challenges at him kept viewers gripped, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up getting nominated for most of the awards next year.

Sheheryar Munawwar wasn’t far behind with his performance in Aye Ishq-e-Junoon, where he got the chance to display his acting prowess within an ensemble cast. The scene following his onscreen father’s death was enough to prove that Sheheryar isn’t finished and that the actor in him still needs to be explored.

The year was dominated on the female front by the one and only Saba Qamar, who excelled in both Case No. 9 and Pamaal. While her character in Case No. 9 was strong from the word go, the one in Pamaal shed her weak persona after her onscreen partner’s illness, showing the world that willpower matters more than anything else.

She remains the only actor in Pakistan—besides Naumaan Ijaz—for whom characters are written, and her brilliant and relatable performances in both dramas prove that she is not slowing down.

The only other actress who came close to Saba Qamar’s domination was Yumna Zaidi in Qarz-e-Jaan, where she played a character living in an oppressive household who takes a stand when her family’s cruelty reaches its zenith. Like Saba, she is one of those actresses who love to play challenging characters, and the many awards she has won are proof of her dedication to the craft.

Those Who Raised the Bar from the Sidelines

Ali Tahir has been around for over 30 years, but 2025 has been his biggest year. He played a strong supporting character in Shirin Farhad, a weak individual in Sanwal Yaar Piya, and a conniving uncle in Sher, one who would have made The Lion King’s Scar proud. In each performance, he not only raised the bar for himself but also elevated his co-stars, who greatly benefited from his presence.

Sami Khan also had an excellent 2025, in which he played two strong supporting roles and one compelling lead. The supporting roles came in the action thriller Faraar and Duniyapur. In one, he played a clean politician jailed at the whim of his leaders, while in the other, he was the central character taking action against the gangs of Duniyapur. His performance in Naqsh was bone-chilling, portraying Humayun—a man who appears calm and mature on the outside but is clever, calculating, and deceptive within.

It was also the year of Deepak Perwani’s resurgence as an actor, as he gave his more senior colleagues a tough time in Qarz-e-Jaan and Jama Taqseem. In the former, he played an antagonist who makes life hell for those he dislikes, whereas in the latter, he portrayed a caring father and husband who doesn’t shy away from his responsibilities.

That was also true of the ever-improving Gohar Rasheed, who played unapologetically grey characters in Goonj and Case No. 9. He portrayed the toxic co-worker every woman fears in the former and a corrupt cop who paints a victim as a clever conspirator in the latter, never once questioning whether he is doing the wrong thing. In both characters’ minds, he is always on the right side of the law and fights for his beliefs till the very end.

On the female front, it was an excellent year for Tazeen Hussain, who played an oppressed mother in Qarz-e-Jaan who finds love later in life, and an independent working woman who wants the best for her daughter in Jama Taqseem. Both performances belonged to different walks of life, and her believability would surely have made her late father, Talat Hussain, proud.

One must also not forget Bakhtawar Mazhar, who played the mother of Aina Asif’s character in Parwarish. The scene in which she finally steps up and takes a stand against her husband—the father of her children—will go down as one of the top scenes of the year. Not only did she match veteran Nazar-ul-Hassan’s intensity in the sequence, but her dialogue delivery, expressions, and emotional strength were nothing short of a masterclass.

Two of the most daring female actors today, Arjumand Rahim and Irsa Ghazal, were seen at their worst behavior during the year. While Irsa Ghazal played the typical stepmother in Aye Ishq-e-Junoon, leaving no stone unturned to keep her mischievous son out of prison, Arjumand Rahim’s aunt in Sher represented women who give their lives to their families but receive nothing in return. From firing a gun at her nephew to making life miserable for her sister-in-law, she was brilliant in every way.

The Youngsters Who Took Giant Strides

Not many dramas produced in Pakistan target the younger generation, as it doesn’t help a channel’s TRPs. However, ARY Digital took a leap of faith with Parwarish and developed a plot centered on three generations. Samar Jafri and Aina Asif represented the youngest generation and excelled, much like they did in Mayi Ri a few years back. They were well supported by Abul Hasan and Reham Rafiq, who are undoubtedly stars of the future.

Aina Asif and Reham Rafiq were also part of another youth-based drama, Judwaa. Although the performance level and understanding of the language weren’t on par with other dramas, it proved to be a breath of fresh air for viewers. Aina Asif played twins in the drama, one of whom has to deal with toxic relatives, including Reham Rafiq’s character. How they managed to pull it off is something only these youngsters can answer. Well done.

Although two of Khushhal Khan’s three ventures of the year—Ishq Di Chashni and Biryani—didn’t do well, he stood out with his explosive performance in Duniyapur, where he showcased both his machismo and romantic side effectively. Ali Raza, who had a cameo in Duniyapur, delivered an admirable performance in Dastak, playing a young man who wants to marry his friend despite her being a single mother.

Nameer Khan was also among the standout performers of the year. He first dominated the proceedings in Qarz-e-Jaan alongside Usama Khan, Yumna Zaidi, and Deepak Perwani. He later carved a separate niche for himself in Main Manto Nahi Hoon, where he played Asif Raza Mir’s son, Saima Noor’s nephew, and Sajal Aly’s brother.

Azaan Sami Khan may no longer be a newcomer, but the way he reinvented himself as an actor in Main Manto Nahi Hoon serves as a reminder to actors who stop honing their craft after initial success. His antagonistic approach was the drama’s most notable highlight, and his ability to switch gears in front of his family and rival family alike was nothing short of genius.

Although Tan Man Neel o Neel began its run last year, it concluded earlier this year, giving Pakistani television two superstars—Shuja Asad and Seher Khan. The duo played a youthful couple whose lives are cut short due to a false blasphemy charge. The way they breathed life into their characters was nothing short of brilliant, especially in the climax, where their characters meet their tragic end.

Shuja Asad continued his strong run in Aye Ishq-e-Junoon, where he played the main antagonist. At the same time, Seher Khan returned as Khushi in Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi, a supernatural comedy with horror elements that concluded its run in the final quarter of the year.

Chef-turned-actor Zarrar Khan also had a great year, following up last year’s Jafaa success with three dramas—the Ramadan special My Dear Cinderella, the romantic Meem Se Mohabbat, and the thriller Naqsh. He may have played supporting roles in all three, but each character was strong and left a clear impression on viewers.