Sarmad Khoosat
سرمد کھوسٹ
Khoosat in 2022
Born (1979-05-07) 7 May 1979
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Occupations
Years active2001–Present
ParentIrfan Khoosat (father)

Sarmad Sultan Khoosat (Urdu: سرمد سلطان کھوسٹ, born 7 May 1979) is a Pakistani actor, director, producer and screenwriter. Mainly known for his work as a director and actor in both cinema and television, Khoosat has directed the super-hit TV dramas Humsafar and Shehr-e-Zaat.[1]

The son of Irfan Khoosat, he is considered to be one of the best South Asian filmmakers with his 2019 film Zindagi Tamasha being selected as Pakistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film also premiered at the 24th Busan International Film Festival under the section 'A Window on Asian Cinema'. However, the film release in the Pakistani cinemas was delayed multiple times and Khoosat finally released it on the platform of Youtube on his official channel Khoosat Films on 4 August 2023.

He also portrayed the role of Saadat Hasan Manto in his film Manto (2015).

Family

He is the son of veteran TV and film actor, producer and comedian Irfan Khoosat,[2] while his sister Kanwal Khoosat is also a director, screenwriter and actress.[3]

Early life

Academically, he graduated from Government College University (Lahore) and earned a master's degree in Psychology and a gold medal. He also was a member of the Debating Society of GCU.[2]

Career

He rose to prominence in 2001, when he created the sitcom Shashlik which ran for over three years on PTV, not only directing but also writing it as well acting in it.[4]

Khoosat then directed a series of telefilms for Geo TV, Tamasha Ghar, in 2003, the screenwriter Saji Gul basing the work on themes dealing with subconscious desires and fears (inspired by the Freudian school of psychology).[5]

He later directed Piya Naam Ka Diya in 2007, in which he acted opposite filmstar Saima Noor and Erum Akhtar.[5] Khoosat then served as executive director for soap Mujhe Apna Naam-o-Nishan Milay, directed by his sister Kanwal Khoosat. He next directed Kalmoohi that was an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's Chokher Bali, began airing on PTV in early 2010, also got rave reviews.[6]

In 2011, he gained significant prominence and acclaim with romance Pani Jaisa Piyar that aired on Hum TV.[7] It won him the best director award at the 11th Lux Style Awards. The same year, he directed Jal Pari, which was aired on Geo TV. He then went on to direct the romance Humsafar for Hum TV, which became an overnight success and eanred him Best TV Director (Satellite) at the 13th Lux Style Awards.[8][9]

He conducted a workshop at the Lahore University of Management Sciences's annual amateur film festival in June 2011.[10]

In 2012, Khoosat directed the episodes of ISPR's Faseel-e-Jaan Se Aagay and the romance Ashk, which got mixed reviews from critics.[11] The same year, he directed the television adaptation of Umera Ahmad's Shehr-e-Zaat which broadcast on Hum TV with the same name. The series received positive reviews with the Express Tribune found it as "another bright feather" in his cap.[12] He directed the television remake of the 1997 Pakistani classic Aina with the eponymous title. In 2015, he completed the shooting biographical-drama based on Saadat Hassan Manto, Manto, in which he played the title role as well.[13] The film then aired as television series with the eponymous name on Geo TV in 2017.[14]

In February 2018, his directorial social drama Aakhri Station, deals with issues such as such as women's rights, mental issues and other health hazards, acid attacks, forced prostitution, and domestic violence, debuted on ARY Digital. The series was produced by Kashf Foundation and earned positive critical response with Khoosat's direction was particularly noted.[15][16] In October 2018, he delivered a 24-hour-long live act, No Time To Sleep, enacting the last 24 hours of a death row prisoner's life, a performance which earned him critical appreciation.[17]

Khoosat's directed the social-drama Zindagi Tamasha which debuted on the 24th Busan International Film Festival and won the Kim Jin Seok award at the festival as well as the Best Film and Best Actor at the Asian World Film Festival 2021. Despite its critical acclaim, the film release was halted in 2020 by the notorious party, TLP, which called for it to be censored. Despite cleared for release by the authorities, Khoosat continued to receive death threats calling for the film to be banned. It was selected as Pakistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but was not nominated. The film was then eventually released on Youtube on 4 August 2023.[18]

In 2021, he received critical praise for his role of a sole earner of a middle-class family who goes abroad to earn livelihood in Marina Khan's directed Pardes. The series earned him a nomination of Best TV Actor - Critics' choice at the 21st Lux Style Awards as well.[19]

In 2022, he received critical acclaim for the drama Kamli. The film revolves around the restrained desires of three women and he won Best Film Director at the 22nd Lux Style Awards.[20] The same year, his co-production Joyland which was directed by Saim Sadiq, won a number of accolades across the world besides winning the festival's Jury Prizel as well as the Queer Palm prize for best LGBTQ-themed film.[5]

In 2023, Khoosat returned to direction for television with mystery-thriller Gumn which aired on Green Entertainment.[21]

Influence

Khoosat is influenced by Satyajit Ray and Ingmar Bergman in direction.[22]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Network Actor Director Screenwriter
2001 Shashlik PTV Yes Yes Yes
2002 Do Aur Do Chaar PTV Home Yes Yes Yes
2007 Piya Naam Ka Diya Geo TV Yes Yes No
2008 Mujhe Apna Naam-o-Nishan Milay No Yes No
Qaatil Aaj TV No Yes No
2010 Kalmoohi PTV Home No Yes No
2011 Shashlik Xtra Hot Geo TV Yes Yes Yes
Pani Jaisa Pyar Hum TV No Yes No
Humsafar Yes Yes No
2012 Ashk Geo TV No Yes No
Shehr-e-Zaat Hum TV No Yes No
Mera Yaqeen Ary Digital No Yes No
Daagh No Yes No
2013 Dil Muhallay Ki Haveli Geo Entertainment Yes No No
2016 Mor Mahal Geo TV No Yes No
2017 Teri Raza Ary Digital Yes No No
Baaghi Urdu 1 Yes No No
Mujhay Jeenay Do Yes No No
Manto Geo TV Yes Yes No
2018 Noor ul Ain Ary Digital No Yes No
Lamhay A-Plus TV Yes No No
Aakhri Station Ary Digital Yes Yes No
2021 Pardes Yes No No
2023 Gunah Express Entertainment Yes No No
Gumn Green Entertainment Yes Yes No

Webseries

Year Title Role Network Notes
2020 Churails Husband Released on Zee5 [23]
2022 Baarwan Khiladi Coach Ikhtiyar Ali Released on Express TV [24]

Telefilms

Year Film Director Actor Writer Notes
2013 Aina Yes No Yes Remake of Aina, a 1977 classic
2015 Dhokay Baaz No Yes No
2016 Ek Thi Marium Yes No No Based on the life of female fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar

Films

Year Film Director Producer Actor Notes
2015 Manto Yes No Yes Played the titular role of Manto
2018 Motorcycle Girl No No Yes
2019 Zindagi Tamasha Yes No Yes
2022 Kamli Yes Yes No
2022 Joyland No Yes No

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2012 Lux Style Awards Best TV Director Pani Jaisa Pyar Won [26]
2013 Humsafar [27]
2016 Best Film Director Manto Nominated [28]
Best Film Actor
2022 Best TV Actor (Critics' Choice) Pardes [29]
2023 Best Film Director Kamli Won [30]
2023 Minsk International Film Festival Listapad Best Director Won [31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Shehr-e-Zaat: A spiritual romance". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 12 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Profile and interview of Sarmad Khoosat". Telepk.com website. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  3. ↑ Tayyaba Rana (8 February 2016), "The extremely talented Kanwal Khoosat gets 'HIP'", hip. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Reviving nostalgic era, Sarmad Khoosat re-releases blockbuster Sitcom 'Shashlik'". The Nation. 23 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Mehr Husain (8 August 2023). "Upholding His Mirror to Society". Aurora Dawn.
  6. ↑ "If we can love Devdas, why not Manto without the whitewash?". Times of India. 28 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "'Pani Jaisa Pyar' TV Drama Review". dramapakistani.net website. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  8. ↑ Atiqa Odho (24 February 2012). "Humsafar — Mohabbaton ka safar". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "Humsafar: Here's what the noise is about". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 14 December 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  10. ↑ Raza, Rahib (13 February 2011). "Festival at LUMS: Learning from others key to reviving film industry – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  11. ↑ Hareem Ahmed (1 August 2012). ""Ashk": A star studded disappointment". The Express Tribune.
  12. ↑ Sadaf Haider (12 October 2012). "Shehr-e-Zaat: A spiritual romance". The Express Tribune.
  13. ↑ "Saadat Manto comes to life in biopic 'Mein Manto'". The Express Tribune. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Sarmad Khoosat's Manto to air as a drama on Geo TV". The News International. 30 October 2017.
  15. ↑ Sadaf Siddique (15 February 2018). "Sarmad Khoosat's Akhri Station is off to a brutal start". Dawn Images.
  16. ↑ Tehreem Azeem (29 March 2018). "Aakhri Station: The Tales Of Hope And Courage End But The Fight Continues". Dunya News. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Sarmad Khoosat expresses gratitude for overwhelming response on No Time To Sleep". The News International. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "Sarmad Khoosat announces he's uploading Zindagi Tamasha to YouTube on Aug 4". Dawn Images. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (6 June 2021). "Pardes – The untold story". The News International.
  20. ↑ Maheen Sabeeh (5 June 2022). "Sarmad Khoosat gives Pakistan its best film to date". Daily Times.
  21. ↑ "Sarmad Khoosat returns with his latest drama serial". Bol News. 6 October 2023.
  22. ↑ Dr. Hasan Zafar (8 September 2023). "Sarmad Khoosat On The Moral Ambiguity In Zindagi Tamasha". The Friday Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "Churails Episode 2, 3 and 4 Reviews". Oyeyeah. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  24. ↑ Mossadiq, Zainab (22 February 2022). "Baarwan Khiladi Trailer Drop Has Viewers 'Hooked' At 'First Shot'". Fuchsia Magazine.
  25. ↑ Sarmad Khoosat to receive 'Pride of Performance' award, Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 15 August 2016, Retrieved 1 September 2017
  26. ↑ "Lux Style Awards 2012: Glamour's night out". Express Tribune. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  27. ↑ "12th Lux Style Awards 2013 Pictures And Winner's List". Desi Free TV. 6 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017.
  28. ↑ "Lux Style Awards 2016 nominations are out — did your favourite star make the cut?". Dawn News. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  29. ↑ "LSA 2022: And the nominees are". The Express Tribune. 23 November 2022.
  30. ↑ Agha, Saira (10 October 2023). "Record-breaking track 'Pasoori' and Sarmad Khoosat's 'Kamli' wins big at star-studded LSAs". Daily Times. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "'Kamli' wins three awards at Minsk Film Festival". The Frontier Post. November 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023.
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