Asif Raza Mir: From Tanhaiyaan’s Zain to Global Stardom — A Life in Motion
May 19, 2025 — Decades after charming the nation as Zain in the beloved drama Tanhaiyaan, Asif Raza Mir remains a powerful force in the entertainment world. In a rare and reflective interview, the veteran actor opens up about his long career, international acclaim, working with family, and what keeps him grounded in both Pakistan and beyond.
“I don’t live in the past,” says Mir. “If you keep thinking about what you’ve done, you won’t be able to focus on what’s next.”
Beyond Zain: A Career Built on Adaptability
Though Tanhaiyaan made him a household name, Mir has played a wide range of roles—from hero to villain to complex father figures. Launching his career at just 17 in the film Playboy, he quickly rose to stardom, embraced advertising and drama production, and later moved abroad, making a global comeback with Sky Atlantic’s Gangs of London.
“I’ve seen the fall of PTV, the rise of private channels, and how technology transformed storytelling. I just kept evolving.”
Staying Grounded: From Fame to Family
At the peak of his popularity, Mir left for Canada for a decade, only returning to screen work when he felt the time was right. Despite his legendary status, he credits his father, the iconic filmmaker Raza Mir, for keeping his ego in check.
Now, he takes pride in watching his sons Ahad and Adnan Raza Mir build their own careers.
“Ahad and I have different acting styles. He studied the craft while I learned on set. But I appreciate his passion.”
In the recent drama Meem Se Mohabbat, Mir played father to Ahad’s character. “It was our first project together, and though my role had little dialogue, it challenged me to say more through silence.”
On Working With Sajal Aly: “Life Goes On”
In his upcoming project Main Manto Nahin Hoon, Mir stars opposite Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly, his former daughter-in-law. When asked about working with Sajal, he replies with maturity:
“There’s no animosity. We’re actors doing our jobs. Life moves on.”
He adds that public curiosity about their past relationship is expected but believes the media should be more sensitive.
“We don’t pay attention to social media gossip. It’s immature.”
Lessons from Abroad: Why Pakistani Actors Should Aim Global
Having worked internationally, Mir encourages fellow Pakistani actors to seek global roles:
“You don’t need to be fluent in English or have an accent. Just be sincere. Even small roles teach you a lot.”
He emphasizes that international sets run with discipline—punctuality, script finalization, and professionalism being key. “Here, shoots planned for 10 days often stretch to 28. It’s something we need to improve.”
His Role in Script Development
In addition to acting, Mir now helps “doctor” scripts for Pakistani writers aiming for international productions.
“We edit and modernize scripts to suit today’s audience. A complete script should be ready before cameras roll—just like they do in the West.”
Proud to Work in Pakistan
Despite global opportunities, Mir remains loyal to his roots:
“I am who I am because of my country. My sons also returned here to work. Staying connected to Pakistan is essential.”
From Tanhaiyaan’s heartthrob to a globally recognized talent, Asif Raza Mir’s evolution is a masterclass in longevity, humility, and growth. And while many still call him Zain, his story today is far richer—and far from over.https://thecurrent.pk/asif-raza
