Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: October 03, 2024 | 
| 中文
Adnan Jaffar as General Aziz in Homeland season 8
There is a huge difference between a newsreader and an actor. They are altogether two different entities. One delivers facts with poise and authority, while the other brings characters and stories to life through emotion and imagination. Yet, several newsreaders have made the unexpected leap from reading the headlines to commanding the screen as actors over the years. Many have been so successful as actors that their days as newsreaders are long forgotten, while others, unable to master the nuances of acting, faded into oblivion. This transition is not just a career shift but a complete transformation in how one engages with audiences—trading the objective voice of news for the vibrant, dynamic world of storytelling.
In Pakistan, the media landscape has seen many talented personalities transition from being newsreaders to actors, where the newsreader phase of their lives often feels like a distant memory. One such remarkable figure is Rizwan Wasti. In the 1970s and 80s, television would have been incomplete without the baritone voice and commanding presence of Wasti, whose roles ranged from bureaucrats to kings, all delivered in his distinctive style. Few people know that he entered the world of broadcast media at just sixteen, becoming the youngest newscaster in the subcontinent. Beginning his career by reading news in English on Radio in the 1950s, he continued in that role for 16 years before transitioning into acting, where he thrived in television dramas like Shama (1974), Afshan (1981), and Ana (1984) . His transformation from newsreader to actor, after a brief stint in films, showcases the depth of his talent, making him a household name in Pakistan.
Rizwan Wasti and Qurban Jilani
Another newsreader who made a significant mark as an actor was the charming Qurban Jilani. His journey into acting came on the advice of Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Television (PTV) Aslam Azhar, who noted how viewers were more captivated by Jilani’s expressive face than the news itself. After switching to acting full-time, Jilani excelled on both radio and television, with memorable roles in shows like Uncle Urfi (1974) and Deevarain (1985) {Walls}. His talent also brought him into the world of films, but it was his TV career, particularly in Karachi's iconic serials, that made him a beloved figure until his passing during the run of Uljhan in 1996.
Another newsreader, who just acted once, but is still remembered for that role is Meraj Uddin Khan. He read Urdu news on television in the 70s and 80s, and later his voice was heard in the post-Isha ki azaan Dua on PTV, ‘aur hum ko qayamat ke din unki shafaat se behra mund farma’. Meraj Uddin Khan was not a regular actor, but he had to act in emergency as the actor who was supposed to perform, could not reach on time. Meraj Uddin Khan was summoned and he made the role of Shafi Muhammad’s friend in Aanch (1993) {flame} his own. People still remember the role, and the quick-witted character.
Meraj Uddin Khan as news reader
Then there were other well-known names like Tariq Aziz and Dildar Pervez Bhatti, famous for their hosting prowess in the 80s and 90s. Both were celebrated for their quick wit and lively presenting styles—Tariq Aziz with his iconic show Neelam Ghar and Dildar Pervez for his ability to switch seamlessly between Urdu and Punjabi. However, both tried their hands at acting with little success, their stints on the big and small screens were brief and largely forgotten.
Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti, Ishrat Ansari and Navid Shahzad
Let’s move to the female newsreaders who ventured into acting. One of them could not make her mark as an actor, maybe because she was an established host, and another had a successful acting, modeling and even a singing career, while the third one is still appearing in dramas and many still have a memory of her reading news. Well, I am talking about Dr. Shaista Wahidi, Bindya a.k.a Rubina Al-Kumaish and Saba Faisal respectively. Dr. Shaista Wahidi auditioned as a newsreader at Indus Television Channel in 2002, and read a few bulletins at Indus News, however, with her attractive personality, she got a morning show to host and the rest is history. She did some modeling for products and a few acting assignments, but she was an exceptionally good host, and nothing could take the tag away from her. Bindya, on the other hand, used to read news in English from PTV in the 70s as Rubina al-Khubaish. She was married to a Jordanian Pilot back then. Rubina left news reading and ventured into films as Bindiya, and by 1977, she was romancing Asif Khan in Yaadon ki Baraat. She acted alongside Muhammad Ali, Shahid Nadeem and Waheed Murad, but as film production decreased, her roles increased on television.
Bindya as Rubina
Saba Faisal used to read Urdu news from the Lahore center in the late 80s and 90s. After retiring from serious work, she became a full-time actress and has been appearing in numerous plays on private channels since 2009.
Saba Faisal as news reader
Bindya is not the only newsreader who got a break from reading English bulletins on television; two other fellows had a good stint in anchoring and are now enjoying successful careers as actors. One is PTV’s Tauseeq Haider and the other is the deep-voiced Adnan Jaffar. Tauseeq Haider started his career as a newsreader on Radio in the late ‘80s. He was quite a famous newsreader on PTV in the early ‘90s, but because of his style decided to quit, becoming a host. He had a brief stint as a ‘hero’, but could not click. He was back as a host on PTV, but returned after years, this time in roles that were more than supporting; roles that had something to offer. A charming personality, with a pleasant voice, he made his international debut in 2002, in the Turkish Drama serial Koyu Beyaz, where he was paired with the ever-beautiful Atiqa Odho. Currently, he is acting in ARY TV’s Kabhi Hum Kabhi Tum (Sometime it’s you sometime it’s me), where he plays the role of Hania Amir’s father.
Tauseeq Haider in his Turkish drama debut
We can proudly say that a newsreader from Pakistan, has managed to act in an American television serial. Adnan Jaffar made a Hollywood cameo in Homeland season 8, where he was seen in the role of General Aziz. Adnan used to do night shifts on Dawn News Television Channel when Dawn was relaying English news circa 2009. The scribe happened to be the shift in-charge at night, where Adnan, after taking classes in NAPA, would read the news. Adnan, after completing the course in NAPA, left news reading and became a full-time actor. He has done well-known roles in projects such as Coke Kahani (2012), Behadd (2013), Jackson Heights (2014), Jo Bichar Gaye (2021-2022) and Hum Tum (2022) . He has also acted in a couple of films and is continuously appearing in television dramas.
Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti with famous boxer Muhammad Ali
Switching gears is not an easy task, but many have excelled in jumping boats. Some perished while others thrived, seamlessly transitioning from reading the news to embodying unforgettable characters on screen. Whether their stints in acting were fleeting or long-lasting, these individuals showcased a rare ability to adapt and reinvent themselves. Their journeys highlight the unpredictable nature of talent, proving that success is often found in the most unexpected places. Regardless of the outcome, their contributions have enriched Pakistan’s media landscape, leaving behind a legacy that spans both newsrooms and dramas.
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