Celebrities

Sanam Saeed Urges Pakistani Artists to Build Their Own Identity

Fresh off her widely discussed Cannes debut, actor Sanam Saeed has returned home, yet the resonanceof her appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival continues.

Representing Pakistan alongside designer Hussain Rehar, Sanam stood out as one of the few Pakistani artists to make a significant mark at the prestigious event. However, for her, the trip transcended red carpets and photo ops; it was fundamentally about representation.

In a podcast interview, Sanam described the experience as a “breakthrough moment” for Pakistan, emphasizing the critical need for Pakistani artists to cultivate their own distinct identity rather than being lumped under the generic “South Asian” label.

Interestingly, this was not her first invitation to Cannes; it was her third. “The first time I couldn’t go because of a brand contract, the second time I was shooting in the UK, and this time my child wasn’t even one year old, but I knew I had to go,” she shared.

Unlike many celebrity appearances at Cannes, Sanam was not there to promote a film or represent a luxury brand. “I was confused at first,” she admitted. “I kept asking, ‘Why am I going?’ But then I realised, it was simply about representing Pakistan.”

And that, according to the Zindagi Gulzar Hai actor, is exactly why the trip resonated so strongly. “There was no agenda,” she said. “We went quietly, did what we had to do, and it blew up on its own.” Even criticism over one of her sleeveless outfits did little to distract her from the bigger picture.

Every look she wore was designed locally, with two of her outfits handcrafted by women artisans in Bahawalpur. As Rehar told her, “I’m just so proud to be Pakistani. Everything I brought came from Pakistan.”

The Cannes experience also pushed Sanam to think bigger about her own future. “I can’t sit and wait for opportunities to come to me,” she said. “I want to create them.” That mindset, she revealed, is now pushing her toward production. Her goal is simple: tell Pakistani stories in a way that travels globally.

“Family dramas are loved everywhere,” she said. “That’s our strength, we just need to package them differently.”

The Kafeel actor also spoke candidly about her frustration with Pakistan’s traditional television model, where actors often get trapped in repetitive roles because of ratings pressure. That is why, she said, the rise of streaming platforms feels refreshing.

Her upcoming Netflix project, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, reflects that shift. “There’s a little bit of everything for everyone,” she said. “Our track is probably the least desi; we joke that it’s the Italian one.”

She also welcomed the industry’s growing appetite for experimentation. Talking about the new Eidul Azha release Zombied starring Fahad Mustafa, she said, “A Pakistani zombie film? I love that,” she laughed. “At least someone is trying something new.”

For Sanam, however, storytelling has always meant more than entertainment. Reflecting on her recent drama, Kafeel, she said hearing from women who personally related to its difficult themes was “heartbreaking.” “If even one woman’s life changes because of my work,” she said, “that means the mission is accomplished.”

It is the same philosophy that shaped earlier projects like Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Daam, stories that entertained, but also carried weight.

At the same time, she had a clear warning for the industry. “If we keep glorifying toxic behaviour on screen, it will keep being normalised.”

Behind all the glamour, Sanam admitted, Cannes was anything but effortless. Her visa came through late, there was no massive entourage, and she managed the trip with just her sister and manager, all while raising an infant. It was hectic. It was exhausting. But for the Barzakh actor, it was worth it.

Because today, she is no longer just one of Pakistan’s biggest stars; she is becoming one of its strongest voices on the global stage.

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Stories must reflect realities, local culture: Shaan Shahid

Shaan Shahid has urged the Pakistani film industry to move away from repetitive formulas and focus on creating original stories that reflect local culture and realities.

Appearing on Dunya TV programme ‘Mazaq Raat’ along with Meera, Shaan Shahid said the film industry should stop copying foreign trends.

“Invest in talent instead of property or safer businesses,” he said, adding that filmmakers need to take creative risks for the industry to grow.

He added that Pakistani cinema needs to develop its own cultural voice.

The industry needs its own content, its own identity, told in the context of modern Pakistan,” he noted.

Meera echoed the sentiment, pointing to her upcoming work as an example of experimentation within local cinema.

“People ask why we do not make films on topics like Hollywood, why we are not exploring different ideas. To them, the answer is my film Psycho, where Shaan has addressed a subject closer to Hollywood and a genre different from the usual,” she said.

She added that such projects represent an effort to broaden the scope of storytelling in Pakistan and push audiences towards new genres.

Building on this creative direction, Shaan revealed that a new film is currently in development titled English Minglish, with Meera in the lead role. He has written the script, screenplay, and is directing the project himself.

“The pipeline ahead features a comedy film, and its name is English Minglish,” he said. “It stars Meera, and her character’s task in the movie is that she has to learn English in three months.”

Meera said she is excited about collaborating again with Shaan on the project and is also working on Psycho 2.

Reflecting on Meera’s journey, he said her return to films came at a difficult time.

“When Meera decided she wanted to do a film again, I felt here is an actress, a woman, struggling to define herself and find her domain. My effort is to develop an ecosystem of scripts around her,”

Celebrities

Durefishan Saleem condemns the mindsets that endanger women

Pakistani actress Durefishan Saleem has initiated a thoughtful dialogue on women’s safety, societal conditioning, and the often-unseen struggles that women endure.

In a heartfelt social media post, she reflected on the everyday realities faced by women and urged society to examine the attitudes and behaviors that subtly perpetuate larger systemic issues.

Sharing glimpses from the Hollywood film Ladies First on Instagram, Durefishan accompanied the images with a deeply personal note that resonated with thousands of her followers. She revealed that the film left a profound impact on her—not for its cinematic excellence, but for the critical questions it posed about gender, freedom, and societal norms.

“Maybe it was the fever and bed rest for days. Maybe it was the exhaustion that comes from watching the news and realizing how little has changed. But something about it lingered,” she wrote.

Reflecting on the film’s central idea, Durefishan spoke about a world where gender roles are reversed and men experience the caution and fears that women often grow up with.

“What if, for just one day, men walked through a world designed by our fears instead of theirs? What if they heard the warnings we inherit before we learn independence? The calculations we make before a walk home. The caution stitched into our freedom,” she noted.

The actress clarified that her message was not rooted in resentment toward men but rather in a desire for self-reflection and accountability.

“I don’t hate men. I never have. But I have learned to be careful with the space I give them in my life,” she wrote, adding that harmful attitudes often begin in seemingly insignificant moments that society chooses to overlook.

Durefishan further emphasized that change begins by challenging the excuses and behaviors that are normalized from childhood.

“The problem isn’t only in the monsters we condemn. It is in the habits we excuse, the lessons we don’t teach, and the standards we quietly lower,” she stated.

Her thoughtful remarks struck a chord with social media users, many of whom praised her for addressing a sensitive issue with honesty and nuance.

The comments section quickly filled with appreciation, with one user writing, “Uff, the caption touched my heart.”

Another follower commented, “Dure’s captions are always on point.”

Celebrities

Pakistan’s culture and craftsmanship shine at Cannes, says Sanam Saeed

Sanam Saeed recently appeared on PTV, where she discussed representing Pakistan at the Cannes Film Festival, her acting journey, and navigating online criticism.

Reflecting on her Cannes debut, she shared that she attended the festival alongside designer Hussain Rehar with the aim of presenting Pakistan’s culture and traditional craftsmanship to an international audience. She also pointed out that many global luxury brands draw inspiration from regions like Pakistan without offering due recognition or credit.

She said their goal was to highlight Pakistani talent and show the world the contribution of South Asian women and artisans.

Sanam described Cannes as a demanding experience that required careful planning and strict schedules, from managing outfits to attending events and catching flights.

Addressing online trolling, she responded to comments about her appearance by saying she has a classic Pakistani face and does not take such criticism personally.

Reflecting on her career, Sanam spoke about her popular role as Kashaf in ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, saying the character remains relatable because it reflects real social and economic differences in society.

She also discussed her recent drama Kafeel, where she played a mother of four, and praised her young co-stars for their professionalism.

Speaking about ‘Mai Manto Nahi Hoon’, Sanam said she enjoyed playing the warm and friendly character of Miss Maria after years of intense roles.

She also shared her experience of working with Humayun Saeed and Sajal Ali for the first time.

The interview ended with Sanam emphasising the importance of meaningful storytelling and promoting Pakistani talent and culture on international platforms.