Pakistani filmmaker Abu Aleeha has weighed in on one of the country’s most talked-about comparisons, revealing that if he had to choose between Fahad Mustafa and Fawad Khan, his vote would go to Fahad Mustafa.

The director shared his thoughts during a recent podcast appearance, where he was asked to compare the two celebrated actors. Rather than focusing on popularity alone, Aleeha highlighted what he believes sets Fahad Mustafa apart is his ability to excel across multiple genres.

“I think Fahad Mustafa’s range as an actor is fantastic. Sometimes he does romance well, sometimes comedy, sometimes action. He is a big name,” Aleeha said while praising the actor’s versatility.

He also expressed confidence that Fahad Mustafa has yet to reveal his full potential as a performer. According to Aleeha, if the actor chooses to take on more art-house cinema in the future, audiences could witness an entirely different side of his talent.

“I feel that whenever he steps into art cinema, he will blow everyone away. Watch his film Mah-e-Mir,” he added.

Released in 2016, Mah-e-Mir was directed by Anjum Shahzad and written by Sarmad Sehbai. The biographical drama explored the life of legendary 18th-century Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir and featured one of Fahad Mustafa’s most critically appreciated performances.

Born Fahad Salahuddin, Mustafa entered the entertainment industry with the television drama Umrao Jaan Ada in 2003 before becoming one of Pakistan’s most recognizable stars. His television career includes acclaimed projects such as Veena, Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Daagh, and Dusri Biwi.

He successfully transitioned to films with Na Maloom Afraad in 2014, a commercial hit that established him as a leading man on the big screen. Two years later, Actor in Law earned him the Best Actor award while the film itself was recognized as Film of the Year.

Beyond acting, Fahad Mustafa has become a household name through Jeeto Pakistan, Pakistan’s longest-running and most popular game show, which he has hosted since 2014.

In 2024, after a nine-year absence from television dramas, he made a highly anticipated comeback opposite Hania Aamir in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. The drama became one of the year’s biggest successes and won him the Lux Style Award for Best Actor (Popular).

Abu Aleeha, whose real name is Ali Sajjad Shah, entered the film industry after spending nearly 15 years as a crime and investigative journalist for leading English and Urdu newspapers. Since making his directorial debut with Kataksha in 2019, he has directed films including Tevar, Udham Patakh, and Taxali Gate.

Among his most acclaimed projects is Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer, also released under the title Kukri. The film received international recognition, earned selections at multiple film festivals, and won Aleeha the Best Director award. Abu Aleeha has also built a reputation as an author, publishing more than a dozen books throughout his writing career.

Read more: Kiran Khan On Fahad Mustafa Taking Over Her Morning Show

Turkish actor Celal Al, widely recognized for portraying the fearless Abdurrahman Alp in the historical drama Ertugrul, has delighted his Pakistani fans with exciting news about his upcoming return to the country.

The actor shared the update through his Instagram Stories, revealing that he has been missing his supporters in Pakistan and is preparing to visit again in the near future. His message caught the attention of fans who have continued to follow his journey long after the success of Ertugrul.

In his message, Celal wrote, “Yes, my dear Pakistani brothers and sisters, I miss you all very much. I will be returning to Pakistan very soon, and I have lots of surprises in store for you. Are you ready for the big reunion in Pakistan?”

He also expressed his affection for both nations by adding the phrases, “Dil Dil Pakistan” and “Jan Jan Türkiye,” highlighting the strong cultural bond that has developed between the two countries over the years.

According to the announcement, the visit is linked to a collaboration with a major Turkish brand. However, the actor has chosen to keep the details under wraps for now, leaving fans eager to learn more about the partnership and the schedule for his visit. No official dates or additional information have been announced yet.

Celal Al became a household name in Pakistan after Ertugrul gained massive popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series introduced millions of Pakistani viewers to Turkish historical dramas, and his portrayal of the loyal warrior Abdurrahman Alp earned him widespread admiration. Since then, his visits to Pakistan have consistently drawn enthusiastic crowds and extensive media coverage.

Beyond the television series that made him famous across South Asia, Celal has also appeared in the 2012 historical epic Conquest 1453. He further expanded his career behind the camera by serving as co-producer of the award-winning short film Zemberek.

Away from the entertainment industry, the actor has remained active in humanitarian initiatives. He has taken part in international relief efforts through several charitable organizations, including the Turkish Red Crescent, reflecting his commitment to social causes alongside his acting career.

Read more: ‘Ertugrul’s a classic masterpiece’, says Shaan Shahid

Actor Faysal Quraishi stressed that Pakistan should focus on promoting local content rather than foreign productions, arguing that Pakistani dramas on YouTube often received more views than episodes on Netflix.

Appearing on a podcast, he stated that Pakistani dramas were watched globally through free platforms, receiving millions of views. “If you look at our episodes on YouTube and compare them to an episode on Netflix, ours would have more views,” Quraishi said.

The actor added, “Netflix and other platforms are running in Pakistan, but even then our dramas are watched around the world, whether by Pakistanis or people who understand Urdu or Hindi. Our competition is directly with Netflix series, and they go towards billions because our serials have so many episodes.”

Quraishi also argued that India did not air Pakistani drama serials because of the competition they posed, while stressing that every country prioritised its own entertainment industry. “If we discuss competition, India is a big player, so why do they not play our dramas? Because they have their own thing. Their narrative is to stick to their local people,” he stated.

Despite this, he expressed positivity regarding colleagues such as Mawra Hocane who have worked in the Indian entertainment industry. “I think it is good when people go and work there,” Quraishi said.

Discussing the global potential of Pakistani media, the actor noted the need for higher budgets, and argued that a film’s success ultimately depended on audience satisfaction. “If we make people spend Rs2,000 at the cinema, they want to get what they are promised. If they expect to get scared, they should be scared. If they expect to cry, they should cry, and if they expect to laugh, they should laugh,” he noted.

Further, Quraishi stressed that performers should receive royalties, saying it was standard practice for creators to earn a share of the revenue generated by their work.

He also urged actors to advocate not only for themselves but for future generations. “Every person should stand up for themselves and think about the people after us and the future too. Do you really think people 100 years ago would have imagined Karachi becoming as busy as it is today?” he said, adding that meaningful change only happened when people were willing to push for it.

On the professional front, Quraishi is set to star in the upcoming drama Wafa Jurm Ho Jaise. The actor most recently appeared in Behroopia and Khaie.

Read more: Faysal Quraishi’s Maidaan Deemed Copy Of Chak De India