Babar Sultan

you & me

The entertainment industry has seen a growing number of actors make their way to television through different routes. Babar Sultan is one of them. Starting out with digital content, he has since moved into acting, modelling and business, building a career across different parts of the industry.

Babar holds a Master’s degree in Media Sciences from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. He began making skits and reels in 2018 and one of his videos caught the attention of actor Saleem Sheikh, leading to his television debut in the PTV production ‘Jugnu’. He later trained with Ajoka Theatre in Lahore and worked on projects including ‘Tootay Patay’.

In 2021, Babar moved to Karachi and continued building his acting career through projects such as ‘Sotan’, ‘Mohabbat Ek Zindagi’ and ‘Hum Do Humare 100’. He is currently appearing in Geo TV’s ‘Tapish’. Alongside acting, he has worked with several commercial brands and built businesses in hospitality, including Airbnbs and a restaurant café. He has also recently ventured into fashion with his clothing brand, ‘Barangi’. This week, he speaks to You! about his journey, work and life beyond the screen…

You started out with digital content. How did that lead you to acting?

I started making short skits and reels in 2018, when that kind of content was still quite new in Pakistan. I built a following of around 30,000 in a year, but a few of my professors questioned why I was spending so much time on social media, so I decided to take a break. Interestingly, many of them are running YouTube channels today. Soon after, I moved towards acting and got my first television project.

What was your first experience of working professionally as an actor?

‘Jugnu’ was my first television project. After that, I moved to Lahore and worked with Ajoka Theatre, where I learned from Shahid Nadeem, Savera Nadeem and Nirwan Nadeem. Theatre taught me a lot about performance and discipline. I also worked on ‘Tootay Patay’ during that period.

Did you ever feel like giving up?

There were difficult periods, especially when I moved to Karachi in 2021 and had to start from scratch. I spent a lot of time visiting production houses, auditioning and building my network while also finding ways to support myself. But giving up was never really an option. I knew I wanted to pursue acting, so I kept working and moving forward.

How important has having a business been alongside acting?

It has given me financial independence. I’ve been building businesses for the last four to five years, including Airbnbs and a restaurant café. More recently, I’ve also ventured into fashion with ‘Barangi’.

Your recent work in ‘Tapish’ has brought you more attention. What has the response been like?

It’s been really encouraging. People have started recognising me from the drama. Recently, at an automotive expo, more than a hundred people stopped to ask for pictures. It was a nice feeling.

Three words that describe you?

Meticulous, hardworking and proactive.

Your biggest strength?

Self-belief.

What is one thing you would change about yourself?

I overthink. I can spend too much time analysing things.

Chai or coffee?

Coffee.

Morning person or night owl?

Definitely a night owl, although I’m trying to become a morning person.

How do you like to unwind?

Good music and time with close friends.

What catches your attention in someone?

Intelligence and personality.

Your biggest turn-off?

Disrespect and bullying.

What bores you the most?

Gossip and pointless conversations.

One thing you can’t leave the house without?

My phone. Like most people, unfortunately.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I’m quite particular about things. I like to plan ahead rather than leave everything to chance.

What cause is closest to your heart?

Education and women’s empowerment. I’d also like to establish the Samina Kausar Foundation in my mother’s name to support orphans and empower women.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I’d address corruption and create more opportunities so people don’t feel they have to leave their country to build a future.

What are you currently working on?

I completed ‘Shajar’ with Roma Michael and Daniyal Afzal Khan last year. I’m now working on ‘Shab-e-Ashq’ with Muneeb Butt.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully doing bigger and better work, both in acting and business, while still having a good balance between the two.