Mehwish Hayat

Mehwish Hayat is an actress who made her name in television and then became one of Pakistani cinema's dependable box-office leads. On television she broke through with Meray Qatil Meray Dildar (2012), which brought a Lux Style nomination for Best Actress. She also played a strong-headed lead in Kashif Nisar's Kami Reh Gayi (2013).

She worked repeatedly with the producer Momina Duraid, in Phir Chand Pe Dastak (2011), Mirat-ul-Uroos (2012), Ishq Mein Teray (2013) and Ru Baru (2014). She also starred in Anjum Shahzad's family drama Kabhi Kabhi (2013). Her last television role before cinema took over was Nadeem Baig's Dil Lagi (2016). Her films include Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015), Actor in Law (2016), Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017), Load Wedding (2018) and London Nahi Jaunga (2022). Several rank among the highest-grossing Pakistani films.

In 2022 she played Aisha in the Marvel series Ms. Marvel. Her 2026 return to drama is Rutba, where she plays Shehnaz under director Haseeb Hassan. It is on air on this guide.

She also sings. Her songs include “Tell Me Why” for the drama Meri Behan Maya (2011), “Har Saans Gawahi Deta Hai” for Mirat-ul-Uroos (2012) and “Tu Hi Tu” with Shiraz Uppal on Coke Studio season 9 (2016). In 2019 she sang “Dil Saab Dil Babu” for Sitaron Bhari Raat and “Chamkeeli” with Abrar-ul-Haq. She has received a Lux Style Award and a state honour from the Government of Pakistan.

Rutba (2026) on air now on ARY Digital. Mehwish Hayat plays Shehnaz; the serial is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Haseeb Hassan. Also in the cast: Talha Chahour, Zahid Ahmed and Hiba Bukhari.