umayun Saeed is the ultimate Pakistani screen hero: he is the perfect husband, son, brother, father, rags-to-riches icon, and also goals as far as romantic partners go. Anytime he appears on a screen big or small, we will tune in even if just for a bit, to see what he’s doing.

Saeed himself acknowledges that he is at a point in his career where he can more or less do whatever he wants.

His company, Six Sigma is the banner under which most projects he is part of are produced, and Saeed doesn’t just have the pick of roles, he can dictate the roles he wants created for himself.

Of course, as with any artist, and business owner, Humayun Saeed wants to hit the sweet spot of success with the work he produces and performs.

He explains, “a lot of television is created for women, because that is who is watching a lot of TV, so the roles women get are more fleshed out and have more depth.”

This is a question we have been pursuing editorially at Instep: why are male protagonists or antagonists on TV and film either ridiculously cruel or ridiculously spineless?

“This is our failing,” says Saeed, “we don’t know how to write male characters anymore. It’s a challenge and almost a forgotten art.”

Saeed himself though isn’t exactly suffering. In the last couple of years alone he has absolutely coasted on minimal work with maximum impact.

2019’s Mere Paas Tum Ho had him earning Pakistan’s sympathies and love, while his turn in The Crown has us all absolutely swimming in reflected pride.

As he readied himself for Eid release, London Nahi Jaunga (LNJ) Saeed reflected on why he chose to return to the jatt style.

“As an actor, it’s easiest for me to play romantic roles. It’s comedy where I feel like I have to try. Plus this character is different from what I usually am like onscreen: he is arrogant and stoic,” says Saeed, who admits that when it comes to his own personality, he is quite serious.

“Except for when I’m with my best friends,” he says, “when I’m around them, I’m a complete clown.”

But apparently one of the biggest pulls for Saeed was the way his character in the film is outfitted. “I would never have the guts to wear a dhoti in real life, so yes, while I enjoy the mustache and accent, I look most forward to wearing the dhoti.”

Saeed’s classic YBQ dhotis have made an appearance on red carpets and in promo shoots, always paired with some New Balance sneakers.

“The sneakers with dhoti is my idea!” he declares gleefully as he shows off the sneakers he wears during this particular conversation. “I’m wearing this Ansab Jahangir kurta – I picked up a few on a shoot - but the sneakers are my addition always!”

While we’re sure a very entertainment starved audience will run, not walk, to the theaters to catch their favorite stars in London Nahi Jaunga this Eid, securing Humayun Saeed and his crew another success, we hope to see more of Saeed’s experimental side in the future, with the way he styles himself, his characters, and the productions he becomes part of at large.