For a lead actor in a hit prime-time drama, fame can easily inflate the ego. Despite his massive success as Zain in Mahnoor, Humayoun Ashraf remains fiercely grounded. He consciously avoids the pitfalls of celebrity worship, prioritizing normalcy over a larger-than-life persona.
Using a Face Mask to Preserve Normalcy
Humayoun wears a face mask in public to navigate Karachi streets anonymously. This simple disguise lets him run errands and experience the city without being swarmed by fans. "I am actually afraid of this. I don't want to become abnormal like some people," he said. "If someone doesn't recognise me today, I shouldn't go crazy over it. I want to stay grounded always, because whatever has been given to me is from Allah. And if it isn't given, that is okay too."
Childhood Roots in Karachi
His grounded nature stems from childhood memories of playing street cricket and climbing poles to install lights for neighborhood matches. He worries today's youth miss out on simple joys due to instant digital gratification. "Our generation is missing out on the 'struggle' because everything is right there on your laptop, your mobile, and the internet; they are missing that journey," he said. "Today, you can give a child the absolute best thing, and the element of joy still won't be there. For us, if we got even a tiny thing, we would be so happy it felt like we had won the world."
Understanding Relationships and Romance
Dubbing himself the self-proclaimed "king of romance" in his roles, Humayoun remarked on the complexity of relationships: "If men could finally understand what women actually think, then all the problems in the world would be solved instantly." He also analyzed his character Zain, admitting that the script's rapid transition from Mehwish to Mahnoor had logical flaws. In his view, Zain likely never truly loved Mehwish; she was simply the only option available at the time.
Views on Marriage and Single Life
Humayoun joked that being single comes with "countless benefits," the biggest being never having to ask a partner what they want to eat. However, he remains a believer in marriage. "A person should get married; it is a very beautiful relationship," he said, emphasizing that humans are wired for lifelong companionship.
Current Work and Exhaustion
Humayoun is currently shooting every day, including Sundays, to wrap up three major concurrent projects. Two shows are expected to clash and air simultaneously due to network demands. He admits exhaustion and plans a much-needed sabbatical once directors call a final wrap.
