Sami Khan (Urdu: سمیع خان; born Mansoor Aslam Khan Niazi (Urdu: منصوراسلم خان نیازی ) on 6 July 1980) is a Pakistani film and television actor and model, known for his versatile performances across both mediums.
He began his career in cinema with the film Salakhain (2004) before transitioning to television, where he rose to prominence through acclaimed roles in popular drama serials. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Khan has received multiple accolades, including Best Actor honors at the PTV Awards. He is also a recipient of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, and earned critical acclaim for his performance in the movie Gumm (2019), for which he received several award nominations and wins. His film credits include the commercially successful Wrong No. 2 (2019), and his television work spans a wide range of genres, establishing him as one of Pakistan’s respected leading actors.
Early life and education
Sami Khan was born on 6 July 1980 into a Pashtun (Niazi) family in Lahore, Punjab. His brother Taifoor Khan is an actor and musician. He received his early education at the Divisional Public School in Lahore. He completed his intermediate education (FSc Pre-Engineering) at Government College University, Lahore, one of Pakistan’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Its alumni, traditionally known as “Ravians,” are recognized for the university’s longstanding academic and cultural legacy.
Khan then pursued higher education at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore and graduated as an Electronic and Communication Engineer in 2003. Although trained as an engineer, he did not enter the profession, choosing instead to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry after securing a role in a feature film before graduation.
Career
Khan began his acting career in the early 2000s and made his Lollywood debut in 2004 with the film Salakhain, portraying a young police officer. He subsequently transitioned to television with Dil se Dil Tak on PTV and steadily built a career spanning more than two decades across both television and film. In 2011, he won the Best Actor award at the 16th PTV Awards for his performance in Ghar Ki Khatir.
Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Khan starred in a range of serials, including Love Life, Aur Lahore, Main Chaand Si, Jo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar Gaye, Khudgarz, Do Qadam Door Thay, Aisi Hai Tanhai, Inkaar, Saraab, Tinkay Ka Sahara, and Duniyapur.
Alongside his television work, Khan continued to appear in films. In 2019, he starred opposite Neelam Muneer in the romantic-comedy film Wrong No. 2, which was a major commercial success and ranked as the third highest-grossing Pakistani film of 2019. He also starred in the mystery-thriller Gumm, which received critical acclaim, with Khan earning two Best Actor awards for his performance (Creation International Film Festival Canada and Madrid International Film Festival). Khan has also starred in the American/Pakistani film The Window, marking his involvement in an international production.
Over the course of his career, Khan has maintained a steady presence in mainstream productions, contributing to both critical acclaim and commercial success.
In August 2026, Khan was part of the official jury panel at the Los Angeles Tribune International Film Festival, held in Culver City, California. Khan served alongside filmmakers and industry professionals to evaluate emerging filmmaking talent.
