Canadian Pakistani Actors 

Written by Rafay Shareef 

As there are many aspiring actors coming from Pakistan and representing Pakistan globally, there are few names of actors living in Canada who are actually of Pakistani descent. In the hard times when Pakistani cinema was banned, they were the only people representing Pakistan internationally. Canadian television networks even broadcasted such programs that featured Pakistani-Canadian culture. Many actors made a huge name working in Canada and working for various industries. Some of them are: 

Hamza Haq

Hamza Haq – a well-known actor in Canada, mainly known for his role in the television series Transplant. He started his journey through television series before landing into the feature films. Hamza has worked for televisions series such as “Quantico,” “The Indian Detective” as well as “This Life.”  

During the 6th Canadian Screen Awards, he was nominated for the best performance as a guest role in a television series, “This Life.” Luckily, in 2019 he bragged the Star award from Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival. He then rose to prominence and was offered the lead role in a television series “Transplant,” where he did a tremendous job and amazed the audience through his work. He will also be seen in an upcoming project of Philippe Falardeau’s, “My Salinger Year.”  

 

Sitara Hewitt

Sitara Hewitt – also known as Tara Hewitt, a Pakistani born girl who later become a Canadian national a successful television artist in Canada. She played in the streets of Gilgit Baltistan where she completed her academics and then moved to Canada. She started her performing career in dance and is a trained in classical ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance. Sitara performed the dance roles in production like Deepa Mehta’s Bollywood/Hollywood. She also worked as a model and has appeared in many magazines in North America. Moreover, she also appeared on CBC Television’s sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie and worked for 6 seasons. She also starred in an American soap opera “The Young and the Restless” and also worked in a contrasting role of Comedy Network’s “You Bet Your Ass.” She can also be seen hosting shows like “Playtime” on Sportsnet and “Double Down” on Global. She is a versatile and diversified performer. 

Ali Badshah

Ali Badshah – His real name is Syed Ali Mehdi Rizvi Badshah, the name behind the Oscar nominated feature film drama “The Breadwinner.” He is a Canadian actor, write, producer, director and comedian. The actor has earned huge respect in Canada for his comics, which was acclaimed by the Canadian people. He has written and starred in around 5 comedy shows which was aired on CBC, CTV, The Comedy Network and many others. Ali also starred in CBC’s first web comic series named as “Bloody Immigrants.” Furthermore, he also appeared on the first page of Toronto Star as one of the top ten people of the country which made him the only actor/comedian to appear on their list. He was also featured as the part of ‘next generation of great Canadian comics” on the Comedy Network’s, Nubian Disciples Special. 
 

 

Gabe Grey

Gabe Grey – Syed Faud Ahmed also known as Gabe Grey started acting as a hobby in school before entering into Hollywood. His performance in Beeba Boys, The Haircut, Facing the Enemy Covert Affairs, Bomb Girls and Lost Girl was critically acclaimed. He started his journey in a Canadian TV series “The Border” and then landed on a silver screen for the very first time in a Japanese-Canadian film, “Toilet.” He has also worked as a voice-over artist in video games such as “Far Cry 4 and Far cry Primal” and has also shown his acting prowess in theatre plays such as “Glengarry Glen Ross.” He is also willing to work with Pakistan’s film and television industry and there may be something in the pipeline already. 

 

Sabrina Jalees – daughter to a Pakistani father, born and brought up in Canada. She is a comedian and a well-known writer. Sabrina started her career as a commentator in various programs, including Stars on Trial, Video on Trial and Laughing Out Loud. She also did a role in television series Flashpoint, Sounds Like Canada in the Summer and even hosted a show LOL and show for children, In Real Life.  

Sabrina starred in a music video “Break This by Hunter Valentine.” She is best known for her work as a writer for “Canada’s Got Talent” and her role in a TV comedy series “Carol’s Second Act.” She is now writing a weekly column in the Toronto’s Star.  

These are incredibly successful artists of Pakistani decent in Canada having a background or some relation with Pakistan makes our country proud. They have worked so hard and made their name in Canada and we hope they make it to the world stage in the near future.