Saba Faisal
Saba Faisal is a Pakistani actress and former news anchor, renowned for her versatile performances in Urdu-language television dramas since the early 2000s.[1][2] Born on January 31, 1958, in Lahore, Pakistan, Faisal began her media career in the 1980s as a news anchor at Pakistan Television (PTV), where her poise and diction garnered attention before she transitioned to acting.[1][3] She quickly became a staple in Pakistani television, often portraying strong maternal figures and complex supporting roles in hit serials such as Humsafar (2011), where she played Maimoona, the resilient mother-in-law central to the plot's emotional dynamics.[4][2] Faisal's career spans over four decades, with notable appearances in acclaimed dramas like Pyarey Afzal (2013), Ghalati (2020), earning her nominations for awards such as the Lux Style Awards and Hum Awards for her nuanced portrayals of family-oriented women navigating societal pressures.[5][3] Her work has contributed significantly to the golden era of Pakistani TV, addressing themes of relationships, tradition, and empowerment, and she has collaborated with top directors and co-stars across networks like Hum TV, Geo TV, and ARY Digital.[2][6] In her personal life, Faisal is married to her maternal cousin, Faisal Saeed, and they have three children—Salman Faisal, Arsalan Faisal, and Sadia Faisal—all of whom are actors and models in the Pakistani entertainment industry.[7] She remains active in the industry as of 2025, reuniting with Humsafar co-star Mahira Khan for a new project in April 2025 and sharing insights on family dynamics through public interviews and social media.[8]Early life
Birth and upbringing
Saba Faisal was born on January 31, 1958, in Lahore, Pakistan, into a Punjabi family.[9][10] Raised in Lahore, a city steeped in cultural and artistic traditions, Faisal grew up immersed in an environment that fostered creativity from an early age.[3] Lahore's rich cultural milieu during her childhood contributed to her early interest in the performing arts.[3]Education
Saba Faisal completed her early schooling at reputed institutions in Lahore during the 1970s.[3] She completed her higher education in Lahore, earning a Master's degree in English Literature, after which she worked as a teacher.[11]Career
Broadcasting beginnings
Saba Faisal entered the broadcasting field in 1981 by joining Pakistan Television (PTV) as an announcer, marking the start of her media career.[12][13] Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she rose to prominence as a newscaster, delivering the Urdu news bulletin from PTV's Lahore center with a distinctive poise and clarity that captivated audiences.[14] Her tenure in journalism included notable broadcasts during this period, contributing to her reputation as a key figure in PTV's news programming.[14] By the early 2000s, Faisal stepped away from full-time news anchoring to shift her focus toward acting, concluding nearly two decades in broadcast journalism.[14]Acting breakthrough and major roles
After stepping away from her role as a news anchor at Pakistan Television (PTV) in the early 2000s, Saba Faisal transitioned into acting, leveraging her on-screen poise from broadcasting to enter the drama industry.[15] She began appearing in minor roles in PTV dramas in the late 1990s while still anchoring, before her full transition. Her acting debut came in 2000 with the PTV series Chamak, where she portrayed the character Nazia, marking the beginning of her shift toward narrative television roles.[16] Faisal's breakthrough arrived with her role as Maimoona Ahsaan in the Hum TV drama Humsafar (2011–2012), a family saga that became a cultural phenomenon in Pakistan.[17] In this series, she depicted a multifaceted maternal figure—manipulative yet emotionally layered—as the mother of the protagonist Khirad, earning widespread recognition for her nuanced portrayal of complex family dynamics.[4] The show's massive popularity, with viewership spanning millions across South Asia, significantly elevated her profile as an actress adept at embodying intricate parental characters.[18] Over the subsequent years, Faisal evolved into a versatile performer, appearing in dozens of television series across genres such as family dramas and social issue narratives, showcasing her range from authoritative matriarchs to empathetic supporting figures.[15] Her work emphasized emotional depth in exploring themes like marital conflicts and societal expectations, contributing to acclaimed productions that resonated with Pakistani audiences.[19] This trajectory continued into 2025 with roles in Dil Wali Gali Mein, a romantic family drama on Hum TV, and Tan Man Aur Tum, a forthcoming series highlighting interpersonal relationships.[20][21] In September 2025, Faisal expanded her public influence beyond acting by launching the beauty brand "s2 by Saba Faisal," an online makeup line featuring products like matte lipsticks and cream blushes, reflecting her persona as a style icon in the entertainment sphere.[22]Personal life
Marriage
Saba Faisal married her maternal cousin, Faisal Saeed, in an arranged marriage in 1984, shortly after she began her career at Pakistan Television (PTV) as a newscaster in 1981.[23][3] The union was facilitated within family traditions, reflecting common practices in Pakistani culture where relatives often play a key role in matchmaking to ensure compatibility and familial harmony.[7][24] Faisal Saeed has maintained a low-profile life, staying away from the media spotlight and pursuing a private career outside the entertainment industry, including an MBA and office work at the time of their marriage.[25][3] Despite his preference for privacy, he has been a steadfast supporter of Saba Faisal's professional endeavors in broadcasting and acting, allowing her the freedom to balance her demanding career with family life.[26][27] Their relationship has endured for over four decades, characterized by mutual loyalty, trust, and respect for personal boundaries, which Saba Faisal has described as the foundational elements of their stable partnership.[24] In interviews, she has emphasized the importance of giving each other space while honoring family values, contributing to the longevity and harmony of their marriage.[28]Family
Saba Faisal has three children: two sons, Salman Faisal, an actor and model known for his role as Tipu in the drama Dil Mom Ka Diya, and Arsalan Faisal, also an actor and model, and a daughter, Sadia Faisal, who is also an actress.[29][30] Saba Faisal comes from a show business lineage, with her mother, Parveen Akbar, being a veteran Pakistani actress whose career has significantly influenced the family's deep ties to the entertainment industry.[29] This maternal heritage has contributed to a legacy where multiple generations pursue acting, fostering a household immersed in creative pursuits. Her son Arsalan married Dr. Nisha Talat in December 2023, and daughter Sadia married in 2013. In November 2025, Faisal performed Umrah with her sons and grandson.[31][32][33] In recent interviews from 2024 and 2025, Saba Faisal has openly discussed family dynamics, offering advice on relationships and motherhood. She emphasized the importance of mutual respect in marriages, stating that a man who respects his mother is likely to respect his wife, and encouraged brides to build bridges between families rather than divisions.[34][35] Reflecting on her role as a mother-in-law, she shared lessons on nurturing strong family values, including teaching sons to honor their wives and maintaining harmony in joint family settings despite early challenges.[36][37]Filmography
Television series
Saba Faisal has appeared in over 70 television series since her debut in 2000, primarily in Pakistani dramas where she often plays maternal or authoritative characters.[38] Her work spans multiple networks and includes both long-running serials and shorter productions, with roles that highlight her versatility in supporting parts. The following is a chronological list of selected television series credits, including character names where documented.- Chamak (2000) as Nazia[16]
- Tum Jo Miley (2009) as Sadiqa[16]
- Humsafar (2011–2012) as Maimoona (Khirad's mother)
- Khuda Aur Mohabbat (2011) as supporting role[39]
- Dur e Shahwar (2012) as supporting role[40]
- Ishq Tamasha (2017–2018) as Aqeela[41]
- Baaghi (2018) as supporting role[15]
- Alif Allah Aur Insaan (2018) as supporting role[15]
- Sammi (2018) as supporting role[15]
- Thora Sa Haq (2018) as Rabia (Hareem's mother)[41]
- Deewar e Shab (2019) as supporting role[15]
- Khaas (2019) as supporting role[42]
- Makafat (2019) as supporting role[1]
- Kaaf Kangana (2019) as supporting role[41]
- Aye Muhabbat (2020) as supporting role[1]
- Ghissi Pitti Mohabbat (2020) as Fareeda[5]
- Tied with a Thread (2020) as supporting role[1]
- Ek Tamanna Lahasil Si (2021) as supporting role[15]
- Ishq Hai (2021) as supporting role[1]
- Khwab Sarab (2021) as supporting role[15]
- Badzaat (2022) as supporting role[15]
- Baarwan Khiladi (2022) as Razia[15]
- Habs (2022) as supporting role[1]
- Pyar Deewangi Hai (2022) as supporting role[15]
- Rehbra (2022) as supporting role[5]
- Chand Tara Aangan (2023) as supporting role[43]
- Be Rung (2023) as supporting role[43]
- Zulm (2023) as supporting role[43]
- Pagal Khana (2024) as supporting role[5]
- Dil Wali Gali Mein (2025) as supporting role[40]
- Tan Man Aur Tum (2025) as supporting role[38]
- Haya (2025) as supporting role[40]
Web series
Saba Faisal began contributing to digital web series in 2025, adapting her extensive acting experience to streaming platforms amid the growing popularity of online episodic content in Pakistan. This shift allowed her to engage with audiences through modern, on-demand formats distinct from linear television broadcasts. Her work in this medium highlights her versatility in portraying nuanced characters in contemporary narratives.[16]| Year | Title | Role | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lady of the Night | Saba | Eagle Movie |