Humayun Saeed is playing Dr. Hasnat in season five of The Crown, and while many are thrilled with his casting, some Pakistani entertainment industry members have reservations about the actor’s portrayal in the Netflix hit.
His fellow actors including Vasay Chaudhry, Adnan Siddiqui, Mahira Khan, and many others took to social media and congratulated the actor for becoming the first mainstream Pakistani actor for bagging a substantial role in the Netflix hit.
Meanwhile, veteran actor Sakina Samo pointed out that Fawad Khan seemed like a better fit for the role of Dr. Hasnat. Samo penned down her opinion regarding Saeed’s casting when a now-deleted tweet confirmed he would star in the Royal drama.
“Does he [Humayun Saeed] even look like Dr. Hasnat?” the Dobara actor responded to the now-deleted tweet. “Fawad Khan would have been a perfect cardiologist. How could you not select him [Fawad Khan]? Why, The Crown, why?”
While reacting to the veteran actor’s two cents, many said that Saeed resembles Diana’s close friend. In another, however, the award-winning actor went on to elaborate further.
“I just saw a picture of Dr. Hasnat. Humayun may look like him now – but they are showing 90s Dr. Hasnat,” she expressed her disappointment. “I still think Fawad would have been a class act but alas.”
Samo Sakina would not watch the series
Following this, a Twitter user expressed rejoiced that an Indian actor did not get the role of a Pakistani. “Thank God, an Indian actor was not selected for this role.”
The user credited Jemima Goldsmith who was previously hired to advise writer Peter Morgan. “Maybe credit goes to Jemima Khan for selecting Humayun as she was one of the story consultants for season five,” the user further added.
Goldsmith had announced last year that she has cut ties with the Emmy-winning show over the wrong portrayal of Diana’s story.
To this, Samo replied, “Oh well, I don’t think any credit goes to her – they must have done auditions at least 4 other Pakistani actors too for this particular character. That’s the normal audition process. Her own film based on a Pakistani family Shabana Azmi was selected… so there you go”.
After sharing her opinion, the Intezaar director shared she will not be watching the upcoming season. Samo shared this under a user who was blocked by Saeed. “He will block me too – and I will not be watching The Crown.”
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