Saleem Mairaj

Saleem Mairaj is a Pakistani actor who works in theatre, television and film. He began his career in Karachi's theatre scene in the 1990s before moving into television, making an early appearance in Afsoon Khwaab, an episode of the anthology series Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay. He later appeared in television productions including Mann Mayal, Alif and 22 Qadam.

Mairaj's film work includes Saawan, Laal Kabootar, Ghabrana Nahi Hai, Dum Mastam, John and Na Baligh Afraad. He won Best Actor Male at the Pakistan Film Festival Australia for the short film Andha and has received nominations at the International Pakistan Prestige Awards.

Career

Mairaj began his acting career in Karachi's theatre scene in the 1990s. His entry into theatre followed a performance at an Independence Day event in Lyari, Karachi, where director Shahid Shafaat of Katha Theatre and actress Sania Saeed saw him perform. Shafaat later invited him to work in theatre. Mairaj later worked with Mansoor Saeed, Sheema Kermani's Tehrik-e-Niswan and Khalid Ahmed. His theatre work included performances across Sindh and at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.

His television career began in 1999, when director Mehreen Jabbar cast him in Afsoon Khwaab, an episode of the anthology series Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay. He later appeared in television productions including Mann Mayal and Alif.

In 2017, Mairaj had a lead role in Saawan, which was selected by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee as Pakistan's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards. The film starred Mairaj alongside Syed Karam Hussain, Arif Bahalim, Najiba Faiz and Imran Aslam.

In 2019, Mairaj appeared in several films, including Laal Kabootar, Talash, Kataksha and Heer Maan Ja. In Laal Kabootar, he played Asad Mama, a target killer in Karachi. He later appeared in Ghabrana Nahi Hai.

In 2023, Mairaj played Daud in the film John.

Selected filmography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Saleem Mairaj at IMDb