Hameed Sheikh
Hameed Sheikh | |
|---|---|
Sheikh in 2015 | |
| Born | 28 December 1969 |
| Occupations | Actor, producer, translator, cultural heritage consultant |
| Known for | Khuda Kay Liye Moor 021 The Old Man |
Hameed Sheikh (Urdu: حمید شیخ) is a Pakistani film and television actor,[1][2] director, producer,[3] and professional language translator. In film and TV, he is best known for Khuda Kay Liye, Operation O21 and Moor.[4][5]
Between 2022 and 2024, Hameed Sheikh had performed as on-set language and cultural consultant for the US series The Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges.[6]
Hameed Sheikh has worked for years to bring his native Pakistani society into better focus via film and television, while lamenting the lack of government support within these cultures.[7]
Personal life
Sheikh was born on 28 December 1969[8] in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, Pakistan. His family has been living there for 600 years and he has described his ethnic background as "Brahmin Pundits" who had converted to Islam.[7] Sheikh is fluent in Urdu, Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi, Dari, Persian, Seraiki, Balochi and Hindko.[7][9]
In a 2019 interview Sheikh stated, "There is a wealth of resources that we can use if we get support from Pakistan’s film industry and the government. We don’t even have an arts council in Quetta, let alone any infrastructure. How can we get anything done?"[10]
Hameed Sheikh has been living in Los Angeles since 2021.
Career
Kandahar Break
In 2008, Sheikh produced Kandahar Break, a political thriller set in 1999 about a British engineer escaping the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. While filming a night scene in the desert, a group associated with the Taliban attacked the Pakistani members of the film crew. Four crew members were shot while leaving the compound and arriving at the set; they all survived. Much like the lead character of the movie, director David Whitney and his crew were forced to leave Pakistan with the help of local security forces. Only 75% of the shoot was completed by then. Later, Sheikh arranged funding for the remaining part, which was filmed in Tunisia.[11]
Moor
Sheikh was approached by Jami, director and writer of Moor,[12] to play the role of an old man whose family was affected by the closure of a railway station in Zhob Valley, Baluchistan. In preparation for the role, Sheikh gained a lot of weight and changed his posture and gait (walking style). He described his role as "genuinely challenging," but didn't charge a fee for the project since he believed the film would open doors for young actors of Baluchistan.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Khuda Kay Liye | Sher Shah | Shoaib Mansoor | |
| 2009 | Kandahar Break: Fortress of War | Omar Baloch | David Whitney | |
| 2013 | Hearts and Minds | Tariq | Charlie Guillen | Winner, Jury Prize, Alexandria Film Festival |
| 2014 | O21 | Dost Muhammad | Jami | |
| 2015 | Abdullah: The Final Witness | Abdullah | Hashim Nadeem | Screened at Cannes Film Festival |
| Moor | Wahid | Jami | Pashto and English | |
| 2019 | The Man from Kathmandu | Pundit Harvashdam | Pema Dhondup | Nepali film |
| 2020 | Away, Together | Rashid | Sana Malik | |
| 2021 | The Window | Abid | Ammar Lasani |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Naqab Sang | |||
| 1990 | Palay Khan | |||
| 1993 | Baarish Kay Baad | Nasir | ||
| Babar | Muhammad Ali | |||
| 1995 | Kal | - | Co-produced with Jamal Shah[13] | |
| Uraan | Bahadur | |||
| 1998 | Wapsi | - | ||
| 2000 | Zanjeer | Ali Jan | Syed Faisal Bukhari | [13] |
| 19-- | Wapsi Kay Baad | Muhammad Nawaz Magsi | ||
| 19-- | Ishq | Babar Javed | ||
| 19-- | Matti | Amanullah Nasir |
Awards and nominations
- 2005 The 1st Indus Drama Awards: Nominated for Best Actor Drama Serial in a Supporting Role
See also
References
- ^ Hameed Sheikh Will Play a Hindu Pundit In The Man From Kathmand, Images, 8 September 2018, retrieved 5 May 2023
- ^ Actors Hameed Sheikh and Samiya Mumtaz, BBC Asian Network, 9 August 2015, retrieved 5 May 2023
- ^ Mr. Hameed Sheikh, Balochistan Stars, 10 July 2020, retrieved 5 May 2023
- ^ Hameed Sheikh: When Mountains Speak, Wise Men Listen, The Express Tribune, 5 July 2014, retrieved 5 May 2023
- ^ Oscars: Pakistan Selects 'Moor' for Foreign-Language Category, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 September 2015, retrieved 5 May 2023
- ^ "The Old Man Star Pej Vahdat On His New Series, Meeting Jeff Bridges and Jon Watts, and More - Exclusive Interview". Looper. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Moini, Rajaa (6 December 2021). "'Creative licence' no excuse for misrepresentation: Hameed Sheikh". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Hameed Sheikh: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "I Feel People Outside Pakistan Recognise My Talents More, Says Hameed Sheikh". Images. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Hameed Sheikh Has No Desire to be Humayun Saeed!". Hip In Pakistan. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Film-makers under fire".
- ^ "5 Things You Need To Know About Jami's Upcoming Film 'Moor'". The Express Tribune. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Urdu Tv Serial Zanjeer Synopsis Aired On PTV Home Channel". nettv4u. Retrieved 21 January 2026.