Sarmad Khoosat
Sarmad Sultan Khoosat (Urdu: سرمد سلطان کھوسٹ, born May 7, 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]
Sarmad Khoosat | |
|---|---|
| سرمد کھوسٹ | |
Khoosat in 2022 | |
| Born | May 7, 1979 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2001–Present |
| Parent | Irfan Khoosat (father) |
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 Edit
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 Edit
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 Edit
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.
Sarmad then directed a series of tele-films 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).
His later directed Piya Naam Ka Diya in 2007, in which he acted opposite filmstar Saima Noor and Erum Akhtar. Sarmad then served as executive director for a soap serial named Mujhe Apna Naam-o-Nishan Milay, directed by his sister Kanwal Khoosat. Khoosat the directed Kalmoohi that was an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's Chokher Bali, began airing on PTV in early 2010, also got good reviews.[4] In 2011, he gained significant prominence and acclaim with the TV drama Pani Jaisa Piyar[5] that aired on Hum TV. It won him the best director award for it on LUX Style Awards. He directed Jal Pari, which was aired on Geo TV. He went on to direct Humsafar for Hum TV, which became an overnight success. His serial Shehr-e-Zaat was especially popular with women.[6][7][8]
He conducted a workshop at the Lahore University of Management Sciences's annual amateur film festival in June 2011.[9]
Khoosat directed episodes for Faseele Jaan Se Aagay and Ashk. He also directed the remake of the original Pakistani film, Aina, as a telefilm. In 2015, he completed shooting Mein Manto.[10]
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.[11] As of October 2018, he wrote the script for Saqib Malik's upcoming production Ajnabee Sheher Main,[12] while he has two upcoming feature films as director, writing one as well.[13]
His 2019 feature film Zindagi Tamasha won the Kim Jin Seok award at the Busan Film Festival 2019 as well as the Best Film and Best Actor at the Asian 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. Although the film was cleared for release by Pakistani authorities, Khoosat continued to receive death threats calling for the film to be banned. He took to social media to pen a letter to the government of Pakistan and Imran Khan, the Prime Minister-calling for protection against the threats. However, the government halted the release and instead invited TLP members to review the film. COVID-19 and the eventual lockdown further halted cinematic releases. Although the film was selected to represent Pakistan at the Oscars, its release remains a mystery.
Filmography Edit
Television Edit
| Year | Title | Network | Actor | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Webseries Edit
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Churails | Husband | Released on Zee5 | [14] |
| 2022 | Baarwan Khiladi | Coach Ikhtiyar Ali | Released on Express TV | [15] |
Telefilms Edit
| 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 Edit
| 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 Edit
- Pride of Performance Award in 2017 by the President of Pakistan[16]
See also Edit
References Edit
Sarmad Khoosat Film .[21]
- ^ "Shehr-e-Zaat: A spiritual romance". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 12 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Profile and interview of Sarmad Khoosat". Telepk.com website. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ Tayyaba Rana (8 February 2016), "The extremely talented Kanwal Khoosat gets 'HIP'", hip. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ "If we can love Devdas, why not Manto without the whitewash?". Times of India. 28 February 2016.
- ^ "'Pani Jaisa Pyar' TV Drama Review". dramapakistani.net website. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "International Segment: Humsafar, a journey you wouldn't want to miss". 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ Atiqa Odho (24 February 2012). "Humsafar — Mohabbaton ka safar". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Humsafar: Here's what the noise is about". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 14 December 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ Raza, Rahib (2011-02-13). "Festival at LUMS: Learning from others key to reviving film industry – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Saadat Manto comes to life in biopic 'Mein Manto'". The Express Tribune. 2015-06-09. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ NewsBytes (30 October 2018), "Sarmad Khoosat expresses gratitude for overwhelming response on No Time To Sleep", The News International. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ Ahmed Sarym (30 November 2015), "Saqib Malik is working on four scripts at the moment", hip. Retrieved 31 October 2018
- ^ Instep Desk (4 October 2018), "Sarmad Khoosat announces two films", The News International. 31 October 2018.
- ^ "Churails Episode 2, 3 and 4 Reviews". Oyeyeah. 2020-08-19. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ Mossadiq, Zainab (22 February 2022). "Baarwan Khiladi Trailer Drop Has Viewers 'Hooked' At 'First Shot'". Fuchsia Magazine.
- ^ Sarmad Khoosat to receive 'Pride of Performance' award, Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 15 August 2016, Retrieved 1 September 2017
- ^ . Express Tribune. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ . Desi Free TV. 6 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Lux Style Awards 2016 nominations are out — did your favourite star make the cut?". Dawn News. May 30, 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ "LSA 2022: And the nominees are". 23 November 2022.
- ^ Zindagi Tamasha :Circus of Life, Highlights Critical Social Issues, Mediachowk
External links Edit
- Sarmad Khoosat at IMDb