Nauman Ijaz (Punjabi and ; born 14 February 1965) is a Pakistani actor. Active since 1989, he has played many roles and has been a senior actor on state television PTV. As of 2014, he had acted in some 175 television series.Qamar, Saadia (20 December 2014). Naumaan Ijaz: Keeping it real. The Express Tribune. Archived 26 June 2025.
He is the recipient of several accolades, including 10 Lux Style Awards, 7 Hum Awards and a President's Pride of Performance award, which was presented to him in 2012 from the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari.
Occasionally, he has also served as a television host, while before becoming an actor he was a lawyer.
Early life and education Ijaz was born on 14 February 1965 and grew up in Icchra town, Lahore into a Punjabi family.Sheikh, Rabia (7 April 2019). "Nauman Ijaz Brings Life to His Characters with His Acting" (Urdu: ’’نعمان اعجاز‘‘ اپنی اداکاری سے کردار میں جان ڈال دیتے ہیں). Daily Jang. Archived 26 June 2025. His father was the manager of a cinema house in Lahore and Ijaz has an elder brother and a younger sister.
Ijaz began his education at Cathedral High School in Lahore. Later, he attended the Divisional Public School, Model Town, Lahore and then completed his further education at Forman Christian College. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, while he aspired to be a newscaster. However, inspired by his elder brother, he ultimately pursued a law degree from Punjab University.
Acting career
Television Ijaz began his acting career on PTV in 1989, after being rejected in 1985 and then in 1987, with a short appearance under the direction of Nusrat Thakur in the drama Aik Din. His role lasted only 50 seconds. He then did a TV serial on PTV (Quetta Center).
He later appeared in many different roles, including negative roles in the dramas Rehaai (2013) and Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi (2013).
In 2014, he played a Pakistani cab-driver based in Jackson Heights in Mehreen Jabbar's directed Jackson Heights. He received unanimous praise for his performance, with a reviewer from Dawn stating, "He was truly the linchpin, holding the interest level in Jackson Heights even when the pace was flagging." From 2016-17, he appeared in titular role in Bhai as Aslam alias Bhai, the troublemaker local councillor from the Walled City of Lahore. In 2017, he played the titular role of ruthless and influential politician in political-drama Khan. The same year, he played a household molestor in Kashif Nisar's directed Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila, for which he received Best TV Actor - Critics' Choice at the 18th Lux Style Awards.
Some of his other notable serials include Noorpur Ki Rani (2009), Mera Saaein (2010), Durr-e-Shehwar (2011), Badi Aapa (2012), Sang-e-Mar Mar (2016), O Rangreza (2017), Raqeeb Se (2021), Parizaad (2021), and Sang-e-Mah (2022).Khan, Asif (24 January 2023). "A league of his own – Nauman Ijaz". The News International. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
Cinema He has appeared in the film Ramchand Pakistani (2008) where he romanced Nandita Das.
Webseries Ijaz starred alongside Saba Qamar in the 2022 Zindagi original webseries Mrs. & Mr. Shameem, which received attention for its unconventional romantic storyline and premiered on ZEE5 on 11 March 2022.Mid-Day Web Correspondent (2 March 2022). "Mr. & Mrs. Shameem trailer: Saba Qamar and Nauman Ijaz share a distinctive love story". Mid-Day. Retrieved 26 June 2025.Images Staff (3 March 2022). "The trailer for ZEE5’s Mr & Mrs Shameem is gripping — if only Pakistanis had access to the show". Dawn Images. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
Other work
Legal career Before becoming an actor, Ijaz initially began his professional journey as a lawyer, undertaking cases before family and civil courts in Lahore for several years before fully committing to the entertainment industry.Web Desk (10 November 2024). "Nauman Ijaz Stepped into Acting after Practicing Law" (Urdu: وکالت کر کے اداکاری کی فیلڈ میں قدم رکھا، نعمان اعجاز). Daily Pakistan. Archived 1 January 2026.
Hosting career In the early 2010s, he hosted a TV comedy show called Mazaaq Raat on Dunya News. Earlier, he had hosted a comedy show on PTV Home. Later, he also hosted a prime time talk show on Neo News HD titled G Sarkar.
Personal life Ijaz tied the knot with Rabia in the 1990s. In an interview, he shared that he first met Rabia at a college function. Initially, she acted reserved and asked him to keep his distance, but he persisted. During a charity event for Shaukat Khanum Hospital, he proposed to her, asking if she would marry him. Rabia asked him to talk to her parents, and he decided to do so. The couple has three sons, including actor Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz.
Filmography +Keydenotes film / drama that has not released yet Denotes films / drama that are currently on cinema / on air
Films YearFilmLanguage 1991BetaabPunjabiRangeelay Chor2008Ramchand PakistaniUrduSmall Voices2010VirsaPunjabiHijrat2016HijratUrdu
Television serials
YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes 1990FishaarAhmad Jamal KhanPTV1991Patt JharMajid1992Rustum Aur SuhrabAkhtarSofiaMurad1993DashtMir BalaajNTMNijaatHuzoor BakhshPTVTalaashSaleem1994EendhanArslan1995UraanAdnanYeh ZindagiSherazTo ToAtta Yazdani1996RanjishZahidIlzamNasir Ali1997Yeh ZindagiSherazShanakhtTanveer1999Pehli ChoriAliLarki Ik Sharmili SiTaufeeq2000AansooSami KhanAb Yeh Mumkin NahiSajjadDunyaAkhtar Ali2001Wafa Ke MausamPehli BarishSalman2002NigahJawad2004SassiSaaju2005Aadhi Dhoop 2006MalangiMalangiLaganSermad2007Abhi Door Hai KinaraMan-o-SalwaKaramHum TV2008Kisay Aawaz DoonPTVChubhan2009Khuda Zameen Se Gaya NahinNoorpur Ki RaniSalarHum TV2010Mein Mar Gai Shoukat AliMehar SalarA-PlusMera SaaeinMalik WajahatARY Digital2010-2011Aankh Salamat Andhay LogGulfamA-Plus2011Kuch Khwab Thay MerayARY DigitalJo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar GayeSayed Alim ShahGeo EntertainmentEk Nazar Meri TarafJal PariAao Kahani Buntay HainPTVSanjhaHukumHum TV2012Mehar Bano aur Shah BanoFarazDurr-e-ShahwarHaiderPehli Aandhi Mosam KiTV OneEpisodic appearanceSargoshiUrdu 1Badi AapaFarmanHum TVPathjar Ke BaadUrdu 1Samjhauta ExpressPurohitPTVKami Reh Gaee Waqar2013RehaaiWaseemHum TVQarzARY DigitalUllu Baraye Farokht NahiMian Ghulam FaridHum TVJaan Hatheli ParUrdu 1Toote Hue TaareSaleemARY DigitalAppeared in 5 episodes2014Bay Emaan MohabbatNabeelDil Majboor Sa LageExpress EntertainmentBashar MominZafarGeo EntertainmentSpecial appearanceEk Mohabbat Kay BaadARY DigitalJackson HeightsImran BhattiUrdu 12015Zinda DargorDr. MustafaARY DigitalKaise Huaye BenaamFarisGeo Entertainment2016Zindagi Aur Kitne ZakhamBehram Ali ShahTV OneBhaiAshrafA-PlusMein SitaraIlyas KhawajaTV OneMann PyasaZeeshan ShahDumpukht - Aatish-e-IshqPeer Habib UllahA-PlusSang-e-Mar MarGulistan KhanHum TVMere HumnawaARY DigitalAhsasAdilUrdu 1Jaan'nisarA-PlusSakeena2017PinjraAurangzeb (Ranga) MazariFarzChief MalikPTVKhanKhan Haqdar KhanGeo EntertainmentLaut Ke Chalay AanaFarhanO RangrezaKhayam SaniHum TVImam ZaminMuneebTV OneShayadSalaarGeo EntertainmentDar Jaati Hai SilaJawad "Joyee"Hum TV2018GhamandMaqsoodA-PlusBewajaPTVMarhamZarak KhanBOL Entertainment2020DunkHumayun AhmedARY DigitalEpisodes 1–62021Dil Na Umeed To NahiTariq Masood "TM"TV OnePTVRaqeeb SeMaqsoodHum TVParizaadBehroze Kareem Episodes 10–16DobaraHidayatullahOnly in flashbacks 2022Sang-e-MahHaji Marjaan KhanKaisi Teri KhudgarziNawabzada DilawarARY Digital 2023Mayi RiZaheerEpisode 1–19GunjalDilawarAur Life 2024Hum DonoEjaz DurraniHum TVRadd Laeeq ARY DigitalBismil Tauqeer Taseer aka T.T.Duniyapur Nauroz Adam Green Entertainment 2025Parwarish Jahangir ARY Digital SharpasandFarasat Ali
Webseries YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes 2019Saat MulaqateinHusbandNashpati PrimeWebseries debut.2022Mrs. & Mr. ShameemShameem “Shammo”ZEE52024Abdullahpur Ka DevdasShahansha
Host Year Program Channel 2013–2015 Mazaaq Raat Dunya TV2021-contG SarkarNeo News
Awards and nominations YearWorkAwardResultRefHum Awards2009Khamoshiyan Best TV Actor – Satellite2012Bari AapaBest ActorPTV Awards2012Dil Behkay GaBest Actor Jury Lux Style Awards Ceremony"https://images.dawn.com/news/1182224" "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2324144/lsa-2021-winners-bayaan-and-pyaar-ke-sadqay-reign-supreme?" "https://images.dawn.com/news/1179502" "https://images.dawn.com/news/1177454" "http://www.trendinginsocial.com/nominations-15th-lux-style-awards-2016-unveiled/" "https://www.ebuzztoday.com/14th-lux-style-awards-2015-announces-nominees-in-24-categories/" "https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125919/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/12-Aug-2014/nominees-announced-for-2014-lux-style-awards" "https://web.archive.org/web/20170118100355/http://www.desifreetv.com/news/12th-lux-style-awards-2013-pictures-and-winners-list/" "https://tribune.com.pk/story/239961/lux-style-awards-a-trip-down-memory-lane/" "https://web.archive.org/web/20111108022835/http://www.rewaj.com/fashion/lux-style-awards-2011-nominations.html" "https://fashioncentral.pk/fashion_events/9th-lux-style-awards-2010/" "https://www.fashioncentral.pk/people-parties/events/celebrations/story-383-winners-announced-for-8th-lux-style-awards/" "https://www.rewaj.pk/lux-style-awards-for-the-year-2004/" "https://web.archive.org/web/20030715233432/http://www.luxstyleawards.com/winners/pastwinners.asp" CategoryProject Result Ref1st Lux Style Awards Best TV Actor N/A rowspan="4" 5th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Actor (Terrestrial)Sassi6th Lux Style AwardsMalangiBest TV Actor (Satellite)Dohri7th Lux Style AwardsMan-O-Salwa8th Lux Style AwardsKhamoshiyanBest TV Actor (Terrestrial)Mussafat9th Lux Style AwardsKaghaz Ki Naorowspan="2" 11th Lux Style AwardsAo Kahani Buntay HainBest TV Actor (Satellite)Mera Saaein 12th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Actor (Terrestrial)Qeematrowspan="2" 13th Lux Style AwardsKami Reh GaeeDil Awaiz rowspan="6" Best TV Actor (Satellite)RehaaiUllu Baraye Farokht Nahi15th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Actor Zinda Dargor16th Lux Style AwardsDampukht17th Lux Style AwardsPinjra18th Lux Style Awards Best TV Actor (Critics' Choice)Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila22nd Lux Style AwardsKaisi Teri Khudgarzi24th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Actor (Viewers' Choice)BismilDuniyapur
References
External links