Minal Khan
Minal Khan is a Pakistani actress, model, and social media influencer, best known for her roles in Urdu-language television dramas. Born Minal Mubeen Khan on November 20, 1998, in Karachi, Pakistan, she is the identical twin sister of fellow actress Aiman Khan and rose to prominence through her versatile performances in the Pakistani entertainment industry.[1][2][3] Khan made her acting debut as a child artist in the 2011 drama serial Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti on Geo TV, marking the beginning of her career in Pakistani television.[4] She gained widespread recognition for lead roles in popular series such as Parchayee (2017) on HUM TV, where she portrayed a complex character in a suspense thriller, and Ishq Hai (2021) on ARY Digital, a romantic drama that earned her a nomination for Best TV Actress (Viewer's Choice) at the 21st Lux Style Awards in 2022.[4][5] Her other notable works include Jalan (2020), a drama that led to a nomination for Favorite Actress in a Role of Bhabhi at the 2021 ARY People's Choice Awards, and supporting roles in serials like Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah (2017).[6][7] Khan's acting style, often blending emotional depth with contemporary appeal, has contributed to her status as one of Pakistan's rising stars in the drama industry, with a strong presence on platforms like Instagram where she boasts millions of followers.[3] On the personal front, Khan married entrepreneur Ahsan Mohsin Ikram on September 10, 2021, in a high-profile ceremony that captured significant media attention.[4] The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Muhammad Hasan, on November 1, 2023, further endearing her to fans through family-oriented social media updates.[8][9] Despite her success, Khan has occasionally stepped back from acting to focus on family and influencer activities, while maintaining an active career in modeling and endorsements.[10]Early life
Family background
Minal Mubeen Khan was born on November 20, 1998, in Karachi, Pakistan.[10][2] She is the identical twin sister of Aiman Khan, who pursued a parallel career in acting.[1][11] Minal also has three brothers: Maaz Khan, Huzaifa Khan, and Hammad Khan.[12][13] Her father, Mubeen Khan, served as a police officer in the Sindh Police and passed away on December 31, 2020, after battling health issues; her mother, Uzma Mubeen, is a homemaker.[11][2] The family belongs to a Muslim background and hails from an Urdu-speaking household in Karachi.[10][14] Minal Khan grew up in a close-knit family environment in Karachi, sharing strong sibling bonds through shared celebrations and daily life, which fostered her early interests in performing arts.[13][15]Education
Minal Khan attended local schools in Karachi, Pakistan, for her primary and secondary education. She studied at Ideal Federal Secondary School, completing her matriculation—the secondary school certificate required in Pakistan—at approximately age 16 around 2014.[5][16] Due to her early entry into the entertainment industry, Khan pursued limited higher education and holds no college degree.[2][17] While in school, she participated in initial child acting auditions starting around 2011, which presented challenges in balancing her studies with these early professional pursuits. Her parents and siblings offered support during this period of schooling.[18]Career
Acting career
Minal Khan began her acting career as a child artist in 2011, debuting at the age of 13 in the Geo TV family drama Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti, where she portrayed a supporting young character in a story exploring familial bonds and societal pressures.[14][10][1] From 2012 to 2016, Khan built her experience through supporting roles in several Urdu-language family dramas and comedies, including Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah on PTV Home, Adhoori Aurat on ARY Digital, and Mere Meherbaan on Geo TV, which allowed her to hone her skills in portraying nuanced family dynamics and emotional conflicts typical of Pakistani television serials.[14][13][19] Her transition to adult characters came in 2017 with her first lead role as Haya in Beti To Main Bhi Hun on Urdu 1, a coming-of-age story that highlighted her ability to carry central narratives centered on personal growth and resilience.[14][20] Khan achieved breakthrough recognition in 2018 with the horror anthology Parchayee on ARY Digital, followed by the revenge-themed drama Hasad in 2019 and the romantic thriller Jalan in 2020, both on the same network, where she demonstrated versatility in intense, genre-blending roles that deepened her reputation in the industry. She also appeared in a supporting role as Raabi in Nand (2020–2021) on ARY Digital.[4][19][5] Her final major scripted role was in 2021's Ishq Hai on ARY Digital, a romantic drama opposite Danish Taimoor, after which she announced a semi-retirement from television acting to focus on personal priorities.[4][20][21] Over her decade in the industry, Khan appeared in more than 15 Urdu dramas, primarily on networks like Geo TV and ARY Digital, contributing to popular family-oriented and romantic narratives.[13][19] Khan's acting style earned praise for its emotional depth, particularly in romantic and familial roles, as seen in her early collaboration with director Mehreen Jabbar in the 2013 Hum TV drama Rehaai, where she played a flashback character adding layers to intergenerational themes.[14]Influencer and modeling career
Minal Khan took a hiatus from acting following her last television appearance in 2021, redirecting her energies toward family life after her marriage and the subsequent birth of her son in 2023.[21][22] In a December 2024 interview, she elaborated on this transition, emphasizing work-life balance and her son's immediate needs while expressing intentions to resume acting in the future.[23] Transitioning to digital platforms, Khan has built a substantial career as an Instagram influencer, reaching over 10.6 million followers as of November 2025 through posts featuring lifestyle, fashion, and motherhood experiences.[24] Her content often includes personal vlogs and reflections on parenting challenges, resonating with audiences seeking relatable family-oriented narratives.[25] In modeling, Khan has engaged in runway shows and campaigns for prominent Pakistani brands such as Khaadi and Sapphire from 2018 to 2022, extending her visibility beyond scripted roles. Post-2021, she has secured endorsements for beauty products and apparel, capitalizing on her established public image to promote commercial ventures. Key engagements in 2024 and 2025 include attendance at fashion weeks and product launch events, such as beauty studio openings in Lahore. She continues to promote brands like Khaadi on social media as of November 2025, with no formal announcement regarding a return to acting. Khan's primary income streams as an influencer encompass sponsored social media posts, affiliate partnerships for fashion and lifestyle items, and selective hosting opportunities at industry events. Her global reach, particularly among fans in India, has positioned her as a key promoter of Pakistani fashion and culture on international digital spaces.[26] As of November 2025, she has made no formal announcement regarding a return to acting.[23][27]Awards and nominations
Minal Khan has received several nominations and awards recognizing her contributions to Pakistani television acting and social media influence, primarily through fan-voted and peer-recognized events in the industry.[28][29] In 2021, she won the Favorite Actress in a Role of Bhabi award at the ARY People's Choice Awards for her performance as Raabi in the drama Nand, a fan-voted honor celebrating popular characters in ARY Digital productions.[29][7] She was also nominated in the Jury Choice category for Favorite Actress at the ARY Film Awards for her lead role in the telefilm Jalan.[6] For her social media presence, Khan earned a nomination for Most Popular Actor (Female) at the Kashmir HUM Social Media Awards in 2020, an event powered by Facebook that highlighted influencers and actors based on online engagement; Sajal Aly ultimately won the category.[30][31] In 2022, she received a nomination for Best TV Actress (Viewer's Choice) at the 21st Lux Style Awards for her role as Isra in Ishq Hai, but did not win; Yumna Zaidi took the award for Dil Na Umeed To Nahi.[28][32]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Kashmir HUM Social Media Awards | Most Popular Actor (Female) | N/A | Nominated[30] |
| 2021 | ARY People's Choice Awards | Favorite Actress in a Role of Bhabi | Nand | Won[29] |
| 2021 | ARY Film Awards | Favorite Actress (Jury Choice) | Jalan | Nominated[6] |
| 2022 | 21st Lux Style Awards | Best TV Actress (Viewer's Choice) | Ishq Hai | Nominated[28] |