Sarmad Sultan Khoosat

Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, a pioneering Pakistani director, actor, producer, and screenwriter, boasts a distinguished career spanning over 25 years. Throughout his journey, Sarmad has led some of Pakistan’s most celebrated projects in film, television, and theatre, including ‘Humsafar’, ‘Manto’, ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, and ‘Kamli’. 

In the realm of film, Sarmad has played a pivotal role in rejuvenating Pakistani cinema and nurturing local talent. In 2016, he established Khoosat Films, an independent Pakistani production house that has produced groundbreaking films like ‘Kami’, ‘Joyland’, and ‘Zindagi Tamasha’. These films made history by winning top prizes at esteemed film festivals such as Busan, Cannes, and others worldwide, firmly establishing Pakistani cinema on the global stage. Notably, Khoosat Films’ productions were selected as Pakistan’s official entries to the Oscars in both 2021 and 2022. 

On the television front, Sarmad has contributed to over 50 projects, delivering immensely popular and genre-defining serials like ‘Humsafar’, ‘Shashlik’, ‘Aakhri Station’, ‘Jalpari’, and ‘Shehr-e-Zaat’, among others. 

In the domain of theatre, Sarmad has engaged in various projects, including a record-breaking 24-hour non-stop live performance for The Justice Project Pakistan’s ‘No Time to Sleep,’ which was streamed live in the EU Parliament. 

Beyond his professional work, Sarmad has made significant contributions to society, actively participating in academia, charity, and more. Locally, he is involved in teaching and curating art and literature festivals. Internationally, he has represented Pakistan at prestigious global universities and cultural festivals, spanning the UK, New York, Singapore, and Delhi. 

Sarmad’s contributions to society extend to collaborations with various organizations, such as PTV, Radio Pakistan, PNCA, UN, British Council, WWF, and ISPR, where he has designed film curriculums, celebrated national defence heroes, and supported charitable initiatives like SKMCH. He exemplifies a model Pakistani citizen, leading by example with his responsible and conscientious approach to art. His groundbreaking projects, including ‘Manto’, ‘Aakhri Station’, and ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, delve into important social themes and promote tolerance. 

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Pakistan’s film and TV industry, Sarmad was honoured with the Pride of Performance Medal in 2016 and Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2023.