Usman Mukhtar (Urdu: عثمان مختار) (born 27 July 1985) is a Pakistani actor, director, producer and cinematographer.[1]
Early and personal life
Mukhtar was born in Rawalpindi on 27 July 1985,[2] to actress Nasira, who has acted in 158 films and was known for her roles as a villain, while his grandfather was a lawyer.[3]
Because his family did not support his desires to become a movie director, he studied journalism instead of going to a film school.[4]
At one point, he also wanted to become a professional cricketer, but there too his family dissuaded him.[5]
Mukhtar married Zunaira Inam Khan in an intimate nikkah ceremony in April 2021.[6]
Career
Director
Mukhtar began his career as a filmmaker in 2006 and as a theatre actor in 2007,[7] directing music videos and short films as well as acting in many plays.
In June 2022, he released Gulabo Rani, a horror short film that was well received, winning the Best Short Film Award at the 2022 Los Angeles Sci-Fi & Horror Festival.[8]
Actor
In 2018, Mukhtar got his break as a film actor with a secondary role in the 2016 film Janaan.[9]
In 2018, he had another secondary role in Parchi, for which he was also the cinematographer.[10]
In 2019, Mukhtar starred in the Hum TV drama Anaa opposite to Naimal Khawar, written by Samira Fazal and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri, which marked his acting debut on television as well his first lead role.[11]
In 2020, Mukhtar hosted the Hum Style Awards. He played the role of "Dr. Haris" in another Hum TV drama called Sabaat opposite to Sarah Khan.[12]
In June 2022, he released Gulabo Rani, a horror short film that was well received, winning the Best Short Film Award at the 2022 Los Angeles Sci-Fi & Horror Festival.[8]
Producer
In April 2022, he became a producer after launching Eastern Terrestrial (ET) Studios with actor Meiraj Haq, the production house aiming to discover and help new talent.[14]