Pakistani-British actor Ali Khan, known for his performances across Hollywood and Bollywood, has recently made headlines following a frank and engaging appearance on Geo News’ program ‘Hassna Mana Hai.’ During the show, Khan delivered a series of sharp, personalized critiques and revelations regarding several high-profile figures in Pakistani entertainment and sports.
### The ‘Crown’ Controversy and Humayun Saeed
Khan disclosed that he was initially slated to play the role of Humayun in the Netflix series *The Crown*, a character ultimately portrayed by Humayun Saeed. In a jesting but pointed jab, Khan suggested that Saeed needs to “stop taking my roles.”
“I was busy shooting when he took the role in *The Crown* that I couldn’t do at the time,” Khan stated, adding that the reason Saeed still secures leading hero roles while Khan often plays paternal figures is simply because Khan does not own a production house. He concluded by offering his best wishes to Saeed despite the minor professional rivalry.
### Advice for Pakistan’s Global Stars
Ali Khan offered crucial professional advice to actress Mahira Khan and cricketer Babar Azam, urging them to focus on honing their international presence.
Addressing Mahira Khan, he cautioned against her current selection strategy, advising her to meticulously review scripts before signing projects. “I believe she selects projects that are not suitable for her,” he asserted.
For Pakistan’s star cricketer, Babar Azam, Khan emphasized the necessity of improving communication skills. Given Azam’s immense global fan following and international representation of Pakistan, Khan suggested the athlete dedicate further effort to refining his conversational style and accent.
In a personal segment of the interview, Khan also briefly touched upon his decision to marry a Pakistani woman, explaining that despite extensive global travel and residencies in various countries, he ultimately chose a Pakistani partner.
### Regional Entertainment and Political Briefs
The episode featuring Ali Khan generated significant traction on social media, where fans largely applauded his candor. Meanwhile, news from the broader entertainment landscape includes:
**Bollywood Legal and Travel Drama:**
In a major legal development, Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari were remanded to judicial custody following the rejection of their interim bail application in an alleged 300 million rupee fraud case. Separately, veteran actor Anupam Kher shared his unique travel experience after missing a connecting Indigo flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho, opting for a train journey which he described as fascinating. Actress Sonakshi Sinha criticized Air India after her 5 AM flight suffered a debilitating six-hour delay, though she later deleted her social media post.
**Cultural and Industry Updates:**
The Arts Council of Pakistan (Karachi) announced details for the 18th Global Urdu Conference 2025—Jashn-e-Pakistan—during a recent press briefing. In the Pakistani industry, acclaimed actress Armeena Rana Khan disclosed her struggles with multiple health issues. Internationally, Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s ongoing tour of India has resulted in numerous viral photos and videos documenting his meetings with famous Indian personalities.
In a sensitive political context, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faced widespread backlash after a video surfaced showing him removing the hijab of a female doctor during an official event, prompting a swift response and condemnation from the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP).
Finally, Pakistani celebrity Salman Khan offered a modest self-assessment, stating he does not consider himself a “great actor.”
