Veteran actress Saba Hamid recently appeared on a local night show and left fans smiling with a heartfelt confession. She admitted to being “jealous” of iconic actress Shehnaz Sheikh and praised her unmatched talent in situational comedy.
“If there is an artist that I am a fan of and would want to copy, it has to be Shehnaz Sheikh,” Saba shared with a warm smile. “She has no match in Pakistan when it comes to situational comedy and its timing.”
A Nod to the Golden Era
Saba’s admiration sparked a wave of nostalgia among fans of classic Pakistani television. Shehnaz Sheikh ruled the screens in the 1980s with unforgettable roles in Tanhaiyaan and Ankahi. Saba recalled a hilarious scene from Ankahi where Shehnaz accidentally staples her boss’s tie a moment Saba described as “brilliant and effortless.”
A Star in Her Own Right
Saba Hamid herself is a legend. With a career spanning over 35 years, she has given countless memorable performances. From Family Front to Mere Humsafar, Saba has mastered both comedy and drama. Yet, her humility in praising Shehnaz touched fans deeply.
‘Comedy Is My First Love’
Saba revealed that comedy remains her favourite genre. However, she expressed disappointment at the lack of quality comedy scripts today.
“I want to do comedy, but it has to be situational — not slapstick or forced,” she said.
She emphasized that meaningful humor, like Shehnaz’s, is rare today.
Dramas Then vs. Now
Saba also shared thoughts on how the industry has changed. She praised writers of the 1980s like Ashfaq Ahmed and Bano Qudsia for their powerful scripts. She noted that actors back then styled themselves and added their own energy.
“There was no artificiality. That’s why older dramas still feel original,” she said.
