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Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hasan Shahnawaz Zaidi |
| Also Spelled | Hassan Shahnawaz Zaidi |
| Professional Name | Shahnawaz Zaidi |
| Urdu Name | حسن شاہنواز زیدی |
| Profession | Actor, painter, poet, translator and art educator |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1948, according to his literary profile |
| Age | 78 years, based on the reported birth date, as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Education | Master’s degree in Fine Arts, University of the Punjab |
| Academic Positions | Former Principal, College of Art and Design, University of the Punjab; formerly associated with COMSATS Lahore |
| Marital Status | Married; he remarried following his first wife’s death |
| Wife | His current wife is Iranian; her name is not reliably established |
| Children | He has children; a clear, independently verified family count is not established |
| Brother | Actor Sheheryar Zaidi, as reported in entertainment interviews |
| Major Honours | Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance |
| Notable Books | Ainadar, Tamasha, Art Kiya Hai and an Urdu translation of Gitanjali |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
| @shahnawazzaidiofficial |
Who Is Shahnawaz Zaidi?
Shahnawaz Zaidi is a Pakistani cultural figure whose professional work extends across visual art, literature, education and acting. His academic identity is particularly significant: he served for many years at the University of the Punjab and headed its art institution.
As a painter and designer, he has participated in exhibitions in Pakistan and internationally. His educational work involved both teaching and institutional development, including helping expand the university’s art programmes.
His literary work includes original Urdu poetry and translations. Books such as Tamasha and Art Kiya Hai reflect his interests in creative expression and making ideas about art accessible to Urdu readers.
Television and film form another part of his career. His screen credits include Verna, 22 Qadam, Khushboo Mein Basay Khat, Case No. 9 and Nashtar. His contribution to art and art education has also received national recognition.
Early Life And Education
Shahnawaz Zaidi’s literary profile records his birth as May 24, 1948, in Lahore. Some entertainment biography websites publish a different date, but that conflicting information is not sufficiently dependable to replace the literary record.
He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab and completed his master’s degree in 1968. He subsequently entered teaching, beginning an academic career closely connected with the institution.
His education provided the foundation for work in painting, design and the study of art. Over time, he also developed interests in poetry, translation, music and performance.
Family Background
Zaidi has shared parts of his family story in interviews, particularly his first marriage, the loss of his wife and his decision to marry again. Detailed information about his parents and children remains limited.
| Family Member | Publicly Available Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Name and detailed biography are not reliably established |
| Mother | Name and detailed biography are not reliably established |
| Brother | Actor Sheheryar Zaidi is identified as his brother in entertainment reporting |
| First Wife | Deceased; he has spoken publicly about their marriage |
| Current Wife | He has described her as Iranian |
| Children | He has discussed raising his children and their births during his years in Nairobi |
Age And Birthday
Shahnawaz Zaidi’s reported date of birth is May 24, 1948. Based on that date, he is 78 years old as of October 2026.
His birthday falls on May 24, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. The date should be distinguished from conflicting information on some entertainment biography websites.
Height And Physical Appearance
His exact height and weight are not reliably confirmed. Online measurements are inconsistent and should not be treated as established facts.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Not reliably confirmed |
| Weight | Not publicly verified |
| Hair | Grey / white in recent public appearances |
| Eye Colour | Not reliably confirmed |
Academic Career
University Of The Punjab
Zaidi spent a substantial part of his professional life at the University of the Punjab. He served as Principal of the College of Art and Design and was involved in developing the institution’s academic programmes.
His university career included teaching, administration and research. His published academic interests cover Urdu typography, calligraphy, aesthetics and art education.
COMSATS Lahore
He later joined COMSATS in 2008. His institutional profile records an advisory role and interests spanning painting, graphic design, sculpture, poetry, music and acting.
These positions reflect a career in which practical artistic work and education remained closely connected.
Painting And Visual Art
Painting is a central part of Zaidi’s professional identity. His work as an artist developed alongside his teaching and academic leadership.
His institutional biography records participation in more than 90 exhibitions in Pakistan and abroad. This represents a historical career total recorded by the institution rather than a current exhibition count.
His work also extends into design and sculpture. These activities sit alongside his research into the relationship between visual expression, language and culture.
Poetry, Books And Translation
Zaidi has written Urdu poetry and translated works concerned with literature and art. His publications include original poetry, a translation of Rabindranath Tagore and a book about television production.
| Year | Book | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ainadar / Aaina Daar | Urdu poetry |
| Year not confirmed | Gitanjali / Geetanjali | Urdu poetic translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s work |
| 2007 | Television Production Ke Bunyadi Asool | Television production |
| 2014 | Tamasha | Urdu poetry |
| 2014 | Art Kiya Hai | Urdu translation of Herbert Read’s The Meaning of Art |
Tamasha and Art Kiya Hai were launched at the University of the Punjab in October 2014. The books demonstrate two aspects of his literary work: writing poetry and explaining ideas about visual art through translation.
Acting Career
Zaidi’s acting career exists alongside his work as a painter, poet and educator. His appearances include television serials, feature films and a short film.
His recent screen credits are more readily documented than a complete record of his earlier television work. The following lists therefore cover documented credits rather than every appearance.
TV Dramas List
| Year | Drama | Role / Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | De Ijazat | Reported television credit; character name not confirmed |
| 2022 | Ishq Pagal Karay | Character name not confirmed |
| 2022 | Fraud | Supporting appearance |
| 2023–2024 | 22 Qadam | Supporting appearance |
| 2023–2024 | Khushboo Mein Basay Khat | Supporting appearance |
| 2023 | Serial Killer | Reported television credit |
| 2025 | Jama Taqseem | Reported television credit |
| 2025 | Case No. 9 | Moazzam |
| Recent credit | Pamaal | Character and broadcast details not confirmed |
| 2026 | Nashtar | Cast member; character name not confirmed |
Additional reporting identifies Tum Mere Kiya Ho among his television credits, although a sufficiently clear year and character record was not established for this profile.
Filmography
Feature Films
| Year | Film | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Verna | Acting appearance |
Zaidi is also associated with Khuda Kay Liye in a publicly posted biographical correction attributed to him. However, that credit requires stronger independent confirmation before being treated as equally established.
Short Films
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dear Dad | Dad |
Other Screen Projects
| Project | Publicly Listed Status |
|---|---|
| Shandur | Listed screen credit; release details were not established |
| Mitti De Baway | Listed screen credit; current release details require confirmation |
Production-status labels in screen databases can lag behind actual releases, so they should not be treated as definitive broadcast information.
Notable Dramas And Films
Verna
Verna is a 2017 film directed by Shoaib Mansoor, with Mahira Khan in the leading role. It is one of Zaidi’s established feature-film credits.
22 Qadam
Zaidi appeared in the sports drama featuring Hareem Farooq and Wahaj Ali. The serial forms part of his documented recent television work.
Khushboo Mein Basay Khat
Zaidi appeared in this Hum TV production, adding a literary and relationship-focused drama to his credits.
Fraud
Zaidi appeared in the supporting cast of Fraud, which starred Saba Qamar, Ahsan Khan and Mikaal Zulfiqar.
Case No. 9
He is credited as Moazzam in Case No. 9. The role is among his documented 2025 television appearances.
Nashtar
Zaidi is part of Nashtar’s ensemble cast alongside Danish Taimoor, Anmol Baloch, Naeema Butt and other actors. The drama is a confirmed 2026 credit.
Awards And Honours
Zaidi has received national recognition for his work in art and art education.
| Year | Honour | Field |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Tamgha-e-Imtiaz | Art |
| 2014 | Pride of Performance | Art education |
These dates follow his institutional biography. Such national honours are distinct from television-industry acting awards.
Wife And Marriage
Zaidi has spoken publicly about his first marriage, which he said lasted 37 years. He described it as a love marriage and discussed the personal and family challenges they faced before marrying.
Following his first wife’s death, he went through a difficult period of adjustment. He later remarried and has described his second wife as Iranian.
The precise wedding dates and his wives’ names are not included because they were not reliably established. Accounts of his marriage timeline also contain details that should not be converted into exact dates without further confirmation.
Children
Zaidi has discussed his children in the context of his years in Nairobi. He recalled that his family benefited from the healthcare available there during his wife’s pregnancies.
A reliable, unambiguous count of his children was not established from the material reviewed. Their names and personal details are therefore omitted.
Personal Life
Zaidi’s public life brings together several professional identities. He has continued to be associated with art and literature while appearing in television productions.
His interviews have addressed marriage, bereavement and companionship. His published work reflects sustained interests in Urdu poetry, translation and the teaching of art.
Net Worth
Shahnawaz Zaidi’s net worth has not been publicly verified. Online estimates do not provide a reliable account of his assets or earnings.
His professional career includes teaching, academic administration, painting, writing and acting. Confirmed figures for his acting fees, artwork sales or annual income are not available.
Social Media Profiles
| Platform | Profile |
|---|---|
| @shahnawazzaidiofficial |
Additional Facebook, YouTube, TikTok or X accounts are omitted because their authenticity was not established. Follower totals are not included because they change frequently.
Interesting Facts
- His full name is Hasan Shahnawaz Zaidi.
- He has worked as both an academic administrator and a practising artist.
- He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab.
- His literary work includes original Urdu poetry and translation.
- He translated Herbert Read’s The Meaning of Art into Urdu.
- He has written a book about the basic principles of television production.
- His national honours recognise work in art and art education.
- His acting credits include feature films, television dramas and a short film.
Latest Work
Nashtar is among Zaidi’s confirmed 2026 television credits. His recent screen work also includes Case No. 9, while entertainment interviews identify Pamaal among his projects.
In an interview reported in August 2026, he discussed his first marriage, his wife’s death and his eventual decision to remarry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shahnawaz Zaidi?
Shahnawaz Zaidi is a Pakistani actor, painter, poet, translator and art educator. His full name is Hasan Shahnawaz Zaidi.
How old is Shahnawaz Zaidi?
He is 78 years old as of October 2026, based on the May 24, 1948 birth date recorded in his literary profile.
Where was Shahnawaz Zaidi born?
His literary profile identifies Lahore, Punjab, as his birthplace.
Is Shahnawaz Zaidi married?
Yes. He has spoken publicly about remarrying following his first wife’s death.
Who is Shahnawaz Zaidi’s wife?
He has described his current wife as Iranian, but her name is not reliably established.
Is Shahnawaz Zaidi related to Sheheryar Zaidi?
Entertainment interviews identify actor Sheheryar Zaidi as his brother.
What is Shahnawaz Zaidi’s education?
He completed a master’s degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab.
Which awards has he received?
His institutional biography records the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 1998 and Pride of Performance in 2014.
Which dramas has Shahnawaz Zaidi appeared in?
His credits include Fraud, 22 Qadam, Khushboo Mein Basay Khat, Case No. 9 and Nashtar.
What is Shahnawaz Zaidi’s net worth?
His net worth has not been publicly verified.
What is his Instagram username?
His Instagram username is @shahnawazzaidiofficial.
