Biography
Born Mahira Hafeez Khan evolved from being a VJ on MTV Pakistan in 2006 to one of Pakistan’s most loved actresses. She hosted hit youth shows like, Most Wanted and Weekends with Mahira before making her acting debut in Shoaib Mansoor’s praised film Bol (2011). Her breakthrough came with the drama saga Humsafar (2011–12), where her portrayal of Khirad with Fawad Khan struck a familiar chord across South Asia. The drama would earn her the Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress, and make her a household name. She continued to fare even better in the praised dramas Shehr‑e‑Zaat (2012), Sadqay Tumhare (2014), and Bin Roye (2016), where she received numerous awards, establishing her as an actress of range and depth. On the big screen, Mahira’s film star began to rise with films like Ho Mann Jahaan (2016), Superstar (2019), and the record shattering The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022).In 2017, Mahira was a groundbreaking moment, as the first Pakistani actress to star opposite an A-list Bollywood actor – playing Shah Rukh Khan’s heroine in Raees, a giant step in cross-border activity.
Outside of showbiz, Mahira is socially aware, and she has been a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2019 and a vocal advocate for refugees and women’s rights, as well as mental health and education. While she has kept her private life very private, she married businessman Salim Karim in 2023, and, although she is a parent, Mahira still manages to project an attitude of both grace and groundedness to the public eye.
In her remarkable career spanning almost a decade, Mahira has shaped both the narratives for actors and stories as an actress. She has made a significant impression across industries as a style icon and conscientious actor, while serving as a role model for many.
