Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed has opened up about the difficulties he faced while filming a kissing scene for the internationally acclaimed Netflix series The Crown.
Saeed, who played the role of Dr Hasnat Khan — the British-Pakistani heart surgeon who was known to have had a close relationship with the late Princess Diana — appeared in the fifth season of The Crown.
His portrayal marked a historic moment as he became the first mainstream Pakistani actor to appear in the globally popular British drama.
Speaking during a recent appearance , the Mere Paas Tum Ho star shared details about how he landed the role during the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulties he faced on set, particularly with the intimate scene involving actress Elizabeth Debicki, who essayed the role of Princess Diana.
“I had a fever of 102 when I sent in my audition,” Saeed recalled, adding that he had contracted COVID-19 at the time. “Still, I recorded my audition with the help of my director friend Nadir and sent it to the team. Twenty days later, I received a congratulatory call.”
Reflecting on his experience working with the cast and crew, Saeed praised their professionalism. “The team was extremely dedicated. I used to try to reach the set early, but everyone would already be there,” he said.
However, Saeed noted that filming the kissing scene was an emotionally and culturally complex task for him.
“I told them right away that these things don’t happen in our part of the world,” he said. “In Pakistan, even real-life husband and wife actors don’t do such scenes. We talk from a distance — this could be problematic for me.”
Saeed added that his concerns were taken seriously. “Everyone became worried after hearing me,” he said, explaining that the team tried to make him feel comfortable. “Elizabeth Debicki encouraged me and praised me. The scene was only shot after I felt fully at ease.”
He further explained that this was the first time in his career that he had done such a scene and expressed gratitude towards the team for handling it with sensitivity.
Dr Hasnat Khan, whom Saeed portrayed, was considered a significant figure in Princess Diana’s life. She had reportedly referred to him as “Mr Wonderful” and had even visited his family in Lahore in 1996. Friends of the late princess have often said he was the love of her life, and Dr Khan was among those who attended her funeral in 1997.
