The Pakistani drama industry has produced actors who left a lasting impression on viewers. Some gained instant fame globally but surprisingly chose to quit acting despite promising careers. Acting is a demanding profession, requiring dedication. While some actors pursued other professions alongside acting due to their passion for performing arts, the actors on this list excelled in their respective fields outside of showbiz.
Naimal Khawar Khan
Naimal Khawar Khan experienced remarkable success when she played Izza’s role in the drama “Anaa.” While she made her acting debut in the film “Verna,” it was her character in “Anaa” that earned her unprecedented love and fame. Fans were eagerly anticipating her next projects, but to everyone’s surprise, she announced her marriage to actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and revealed her decision to quit acting. Naimal confessed that she is someone who cherishes other forms of art, such as painting and sketching, and acting wasn’t her true passion. Despite stepping away from acting, her celebrity status remains intact, and her choice to keep her social media accounts public allows fans to stay connected with her even though she has shifted her focus to other pursuits.
Ashir Azeem
Ashir Azeem garnered attention for his prominent role in the drama “Dhuwan,” which he also wrote. The drama was an emotional thriller and showcased his talent both as an actor and a writer. After the drama’s success, people eagerly anticipated seeing him on screen again. However, he decided not to pursue acting as a full-time career and instead focused on using his skills and knowledge to raise awareness through the medium of filmmaking. His film “Maalik” reflected his passion for addressing social issues. Despite his potential as an actor, his goals and aspirations led him to explore other avenues.
Shehnaz Sheikh
Shehnaz Sheikh shot to fame with just two drama serials, “Ankahi” and “Tanhaiyan,” which became classics and earned her immense love and popularity from viewers, not only in Pakistan but also abroad. Despite the overwhelming success and even receiving offers from Bollywood, she surprised everyone by disappearing from the acting scene. In an interview, Shehnaz shared that she found playing Zara’s role in “Tanhaiyan” incredibly challenging and realized acting wasn’t her true passion. She opted to become a teacher instead, as she loved being around children. She felt she lacked the tolerance for working with adults and considered herself a bit lazy, not keen on stepping out of her comfort zone. Nevertheless, her memorable roles continue to be treasured by fans, even though she chose not to pursue acting further.
Faraz Inam
Faraz Inam’s portrayal of Captain Faraz in “Alpha Bravo Charlie” remains etched in the hearts of the viewers. He served in the Pakistani Air Force but couldn’t fulfill his dream of becoming a fighter pilot due to his weak eyesight. He later pursued engineering and eventually studied MBA at LUMS. Despite the praise for his acting, Faraz believes he is not cut out for acting and prefers to maintain his career as a banker. Although fans were delighted to see him return to the screen after 21 years in the drama “Ehd-e-Wafa,” he remains content with his banking profession and the role of Captain Faraz, as it closely resembles his real personality.
Abdullah Mehmood
Abdullah Mehmood left a lasting impact with his emotional portrayal of Captain Kashif Kirmani in “Alpha Bravo Charlie.” The drama touched many hearts, and Abdullah’s performance received acclaim. However, tragedy struck when his family home caught fire in 2014, resulting in the loss of his son and serious injuries to other family members. This devastating incident prompted Abdullah Mehmood to distance himself from the public eye. He had been a part of the armed forces when he was cast in “Alpha Bravo Charlie,” and it seems that acting was not his ultimate goal. Hence, he chose to step away from showbiz to focus on his personal life and other aspirations.
Shahnaz Khawaja
Shahnaz Khawaja made a remarkable impression with her role as Shahnaz in the drama “Alpha Bravo Charlie.” The character and her performance resonated with the audience, leaving a lasting impact. However, after her first appearance on Pakistani television, she decided not to continue acting in any other projects. Instead, she moved to the United States in 1998 and embarked on a career in showbiz there, working as a model for leading international brands. Later, she pursued higher education in mental health and is currently working as an Assistant Director for Resilience and Recovery Strategies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Qasim Shah
Syed Qasim Shah gained popularity for his portrayal of Captain Gulsher in the iconic drama “Alpha Bravo Charlie.” His performance in this role was highly appreciated, and he became a beloved figure among viewers. However, he made the decision to continue his career in the army, where he served as a Captain at the time. Even though he received immense love and recognition from the public, he did not pursue further acting opportunities. He retired as a Colonel and now works in the IT department. Despite leaving acting, he remains active on social media and continues to engage with his fans.
