Sarmad Sultan Khoosat (Urdu: سرمد سلطان کھوسٹ, born 7 May 1979) is a Pakistani actor, director, producer and screenwriter. Mainly known for his work as a director and actor in both cinema and television, Khoosat has directed the super-hit TV dramas Humsafar and Shehr-e-Zaat.[1]
The son of Irfan Khoosat, he is considered to be one of the best South Asian filmmakers with his 2019 film Zindagi Tamasha being selected as Pakistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film also premiered at the 24th Busan International Film Festival under the section 'A Window on Asian Cinema'. However, the film release in the Pakistani cinemas was delayed multiple times and Khoosat finally released it on the platform of KZread on his official channel Khoosat Films on 4 August 2023.
He also portrayed the role of Saadat Hasan Manto in his film Manto (2015).
Family
He is the son of veteran TV and film actor, producer and comedian Irfan Khoosat,[2] while his sister Kanwal Khoosat is also a director, screenwriter and actress.[3]
Early life
Academically, he graduated from Government College University (Lahore) and earned a master's degree in Psychology and a gold medal. He also was a member of the Debating Society of GCU.[2]
Career
He rose to prominence in 2001, when he created the sitcom Shashlik which ran for over three years on PTV, not only directing but also writing it as well acting in it.
Sarmad then directed a series of tele-films for Geo TV, Tamasha Ghar, in 2003, the screenwriter Saji Gul basing the work on themes dealing with subconscious desires and fears (inspired by the Freudian school of psychology).
He conducted a workshop at the Lahore University of Management Sciences's annual amateur film festival in June 2011.[9]
Khoosat directed episodes for Faseele Jaan Se Aagay and Ashk. He also directed the remake of the original Pakistani film, Aina, as a telefilm. In 2015, he completed shooting Mein Manto.[10]
In October 2018, he delivered a 24-hour-long live act, No Time To Sleep, enacting the last 24 hours of a death row prisoner's life, a performance which earned him critical appreciation.[11] As of October 2018, he wrote the script for Saqib Malik's upcoming production Ajnabee Sheher Main,[12] while he has two upcoming feature films as director, writing one as well.[13]
His 2019 feature film Zindagi Tamasha won the Kim Jin Seok award at the 24th Busan International Film Festival as well as the Best Film and Best Actor at the Asian World Film Festival 2021. Despite its critical acclaim, the film release was halted in 2020 by the notorious party, TLP, which called for it to be censored. Despite cleared for release by the authorities, Khoosat continued to receive death threats calling for the film to be banned. It was selected as Pakistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but was not nominated. The film was then eventually released on KZread on 4 August 2023.[14]
Influence
Khoosat is influenced by Satyajit Ray and Ingmar Bergman in direction.[15]
Filmography
Television serials
Year Title Network Actor Director Screenwriter
2001 Shashlik PTV Yes Yes Yes
2002 Do Aur Do Chaar PTV Home Yes Yes Yes
2007 Piya Naam Ka Diya Geo TV Yes Yes No
2008 Mujhe Apna Naam-o-Nishan Milay No Yes No
Qaatil Aaj TV No Yes No
2010 Kalmoohi PTV Home No Yes No
2011 Shashlik Xtra Hot Geo TV Yes Yes Yes
Pani Jaisa Pyar Hum TV No Yes No
Humsafar Yes Yes No
2012 Ashk Geo TV No Yes No
Shehr-e-Zaat Hum TV No Yes No
Mera Yaqeen Ary Digital No Yes No
Daagh No Yes No
2013 Dil Muhallay Ki Haveli Geo Entertainment Yes No No
2016 Mor Mahal Geo TV No Yes No
2017 Teri Raza Ary Digital Yes No No
Baaghi Urdu 1 Yes No No
Mujhay Jeenay Do Yes No No
Manto Geo TV Yes Yes No
2018 Noor ul Ain Ary Digital No Yes No
Lamhay A-Plus TV Yes No No
Aakhri Station Ary Digital Yes Yes No
2021 Pardes Yes No No
2023 Gunah Express Entertainment Yes No No
Gumn Green Entertainment Yes Yes No
Webseries
Year Title Role Network Notes
2020 Ayesha Fahad Ahmed KZread [16]
2020 Churails Husband Released on Zee5 [17]
2022 Baarwan Khiladi Coach Ikhtiyar Ali Released on Express TV [18]
Telefilms
Year Film Director Actor Writer Notes
2013 Aina Yes No Yes Remake of Aina, a 1977 classic
2015 Dhokay Baaz No Yes No
2016 Ek Thi Marium Yes No No Based on the life of female fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar
Films
Year Film Director Producer Actor Notes
2015 Manto Yes No Yes Played the titular role of Manto
2018 Motorcycle Girl No No Yes
2019 Zindagi Tamasha Yes No Yes
2022 Kamli Yes Yes No
2022 Joyland No Yes No
Awards and recognition
Pride of Performance Award in 2017 by the President of Pakistan[19]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2012 Lux Style Awards Best TV Director Pani Jaisa Pyar Won [20]
2013 Humsafar [21]
2016 Best Film Director Manto Nominated [22]
Best Film Actor
2022 Best TV Actor (Critics' Choice) Pardes [23]
2023 Best Film Director Kamli Won [24]