Emerging faces on television

Pakistani television’s storytelling canvas has become quite diverse as a result of various themes being painted on it in drama serials. However, while intriguing plots and ground-breaking narratives attract acclaim for a project, one can’t deny that performances play a key role too.

Some remarkable new-age television actors, who are ruling the world of television, include Imran Ashraf, Feroze Khan, Yumna Zaidi, Sonya Hussyn and Zahid Ahmed; these are just some of the many names who have incredible performances to their credit. However, in the last couple of years, television has introduced multiple new faces, some of which have the spark to become the next big thing on the small screen.

Below are five actors who are shining bright on our TV screens these days.

Alizeh Shah

Alizeh Shah is a promising actress who has a number of drama serials to her credit, in supporting roles though. She started off almost two years ago with drama serial Daldal, followed by Ishq Tamasha and Dil Mom Ka Diya, and garnered rave reviews for her performances.

However, she landed her first TV serial in a lead role earlier this year; she is starring as Mishal in ongoing drama serial Jo Tu Chahay alongside Imran Abbas. That’s not Alizeh’s claim to fame though. We have seen Alizeh in similar roles of a submissive young woman on TV but her character in her recent film debut Superstar is completely opposite. In Superstar she essays the role of Mahira Khan’s cheerful and confident younger sister Chutki, proving that she can take on diverse roles too. We would love to see more of that on the small screen as well.

Mirza Zain Baig

Model turned actor Mirza Zain Baig has emerged as a talented and diverse artist in recent years. After essaying a prominent role in Naulakha alongside Sarwat Gilani and Kiran Haq last year, Zain played Yumna Zaidi’s loving husband Saadi in Dil Kiya Karey that concluded earlier this year. Presently, the model and actor is starring in two plays – Mera Rab Waris and Malal e Yaar, in which he is essaying roles that are in complete contrast with each other. In the former, Zain plays the role of Faizi, a simple and sober young man who is an introvert, while he is playing a feudal in the latter. With four episodes into Malal e Yaar, one can say that Zain’s portrayal of Malik Balaj is quite commendable. We think that he is a natural when it comes to acting and we are glad that he is opting for diverse roles.

Azekah Daniel

Budding actor Azekah Daneil starred as Bilal Abbas Khan’s younger sister in recently concluded Cheekh that was one of the most talked about dramas this year. She made her acting debut with horror film Pari last year while she has essayed important roles in multiple TV serials including Balaa, Ishq Zah e Naseeb and others. In her new drama serial Malal e Yaar, Azekah essays the protagonist Hooriya, who is a modern, carefree girl. However, she is forced to exchange rings with a feudal despite being in love with someone else. Azekah impresses as Hooriya which is a layered character and gives her more margin to perform.

Raza Talish

Raza Talish, son of renowned director and actor Aehsun Talish, shot to fame with Suno Chanda 2 earlier this year. Though he made his acting debut with a small role in acclaimed drama serial Tabeer, last year, he was unable to make an impression. In the Ramazan special Suno Chanda 2, he essayed the character of Mithu on which he received an overwhelming response. According to latest reports, Raza will be appearing as a Pakistani captain in Haseeb Hassan’s upcoming cross-border web series Dhoop Ki Dewaar alongside an ensemble cast including Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly.

Arij Mohyuddin

After making her acting debut with Tajdeed e Wafa last year, Arij Mohyuddin can be seen in ongoing drama serial Jo Tu Chahay alongside Alizeh Shah and Imran Abbas. She is playing the character of Areesha, a manipulative young woman who knows how to get things done her way. In the recent episode, she succeeds in marrying her love interest, despite all odds. This is her second play but we can see that Arij has a strong screen presence which is evident in the serial. Her performance and dialogue delivery as the selfish Areesha is quite convincing. However, both her characters so far portrayed her as a selfish and negative person and we would like to see Arij diversifying in her upcoming projects.