In the UK, British Pakistanis of Pakistan origins have dominated British TV and media for the last decade, and their representation in the entertainment circle is increasing nowadays.
Some observers say that British Pakistanis are exceptional in their talent and art. Britishers acknowledge their talent with an open heart. These artists have broken the idol of difficulties in the mainstream media for the South Asian community. And their popular characters have made a place in people’s hearts.
This blog is about to describe a list of ten British Pakistanis who have been successful in TV and media.
Art Malik:
Athar Ul Haque Malik, aka Art Malik, was born in Pakistan but raised in London.
His career began with the role of Hari Kumar in the series The Jewel in the Crown (ITV: 1982). The series depicts how Hari struggles to balance his immigrant status with his British identity.
Since this role, he has acted in various films and dramas. Malik played the role of Maharaja in season 2 of Indian Summers (Channel 4: 2010), which became quite popular.
He also played the role of a Pakistani general in Homeland (2014).
He also appeared as a guest in the BBC series Doctor Who (The Ghost Monument: 2018).
Today, he has made his place in Britain’s media industry.
Rizwan Ahmed:
Rizwan Ahmed, better known as Riz Ahmed, is an award-winning British film and TV actor. His career began with the role of Michael Winterbottom in The Road to Guantanamo (2006).
He also played the role of Gary in the television film Free Fall (BBC: 2009). However, his role as Omar in Four Lions (2010) brought him international fame. This character won several awards.
As a writer, he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed film Daytimer (2014), which deals with the dual identities of a Pakistani boy. In addition, he starred in the award-winning series The Night Of (2016).
Rizwan is the first actor of Asian descent to win an Emmy Award for The Night Of in 2017.
Now Riz got an Oscar award for his performance in 2022.
Noreen Khan:
Noureen Khan has been a prominent presenter on the BBC Asian Network since 2007 due to her aggressive personality. However, more than a TV host, she is a strong and determined woman.
Apart from this, Noreen Khan also participates in comedy programs. In 2017 this Pakistani woman hosted a comedy night with three other South Asian women.
Alyy Khan:
Alyy Khan was also born in Pakistan but moved to England in 1979 at age 9.
From working in Hollywood as Sheikh Omar in A Mighty Heart (2007) to Don 2 (2011) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, he has also worked in many countries.
Alyy has played prominent roles in British TV. He has played the role of Ramu Sood in popular shows like The Bill (ITV) and Indian Summers (Channel 4). In addition, he is a regular actor in dramas aired on all the leading television networks in Pakistan. are doing
Adil Ray:
Best known for his role in Citizen Khan (BBC: 2012-2016), Adil was originally a radio actor. Adil was born in Birmingham. He initially worked at the BBC, Radio 5, and the Asian Network.
He played the role of Ray in Citizen Khan, which has turned him to national recognition. So, Mr. Khan became a known Pakistani in every household in England.
Besides his success in the UK, Adil has made a name for himself internationally.
He has also worked on the documentary Explore (BBC: 2008) in Turkey and Argentina.
He described the lifestyle in Spain with stories from Europe in Madrid (BBC Four: 2007).
Mehreen Baig:
Mehreen Baig is an emerging reputed Pakistani woman from Tottenham, London. As a British Pakistani woman, she is a blogger and has appeared on the BBC several times.
In 2016, Baig appeared in the BBC documentary Muslims like us.
She also won a BAFTA TV Award in 2017 for a documentary about her identity.
Mehreen, in Lost Boys, interprets the condition of Asian men similarly to British Pakistanis residing in England.
Abdullah Afzal:
Abdullah Afzal belongs to the city of Manchester, United Kingdom, his family is originally from the well-known village of Jakkar in the Jhelum district of Pakistan, and he has worked on various platforms for BBC.
His best roles include Asif Khan in Lunch Monkeys (BBC Three (2008-2011) and Amjad Malik in Citizen Khan (BBC: 2012-2016).
He also performed in a BBC Asian Network comedy special in 2014.
Abdullah Afzal started his career with Jahid in Finding Fatimah (2017).
Guz Khan:
This young man hails from Coventry, UK, and Khan was working as a teacher when he rose to fame in 2015 after the YouTube video Pakisaurus went viral.
He spoke about the working class in the role of an observer.
Soon after, Guz quit his teaching job in July 2015 to pursue a career in comedy. After that, he started working in Roadman Ramadan (BBC: 2015).
Khan also performed in BBC Asian Network’s Comedy Night in the same year.
However, Mubeen’s satirical character became his signature. In this satirical role, he described the daily struggles of a British Pakistani. BBC started a series like Man Like Mobeen inspired by his character.
Shazia Mirza:
Shazia Mirza was primarily a science teacher while she left science for arts. Now she works as a writer, presenter, and comedian.
Mirza is quite popular among the British people for his provocative humor. Her comedy reflects the Pakistani identity and the social environment of the country.
As well as comedy, Shazia also produced documentaries such as F*** off I’m a Hairy Woman (BBC: 2007).
Shazia Mirza is a regular columnist for leading magazines like The Guardian and The New Statesman.
Humza Arshad:
Humza Arshad, also known as Badman, was a commoner of London one day, but the next day he became famous worldwide with the help of the Internet.
In 2010, he started the YouTube series Diary of a Badman. It tells the story of the British Pakistani man’s everyday struggle through a humorous children’s narrative.
Diary of a Badman became hugely popular with British youth for its humor.
At times his YouTube series was the seventh most viewed video on YouTube. This successful series earned Humza a comedy performance on the BBC Asian Network.
In March 2018, he created a parody Nike commercial with the support of the South Asian community.
Moreover, Humza also started the web series Badman (2015-2018), which was very successful.
Today he is considered a good role model for British Pakistani creators.
