Mehwish Hayat (born 6 January 1988) is a Pakistani actress who primarily works in Urdu films, and formerly, in television. She made her film debut with the comedy Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015) and followed that up with a lead role in Actor in Law (2016). Hayat has since starred in the comedies Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017), Load Wedding (2018), and London Nahi Jaunga (2022), all of which rank among the highest-grossing Pakistani films.
Career
The 2012 romantic drama series Meray Qatil Meray Dildar marked a significant turning point in Hayat's career, earning her praise and nomination for Best Actress at the Lux Style Awards. She later portraying of a strong headed in Kashif Nisar's acclaim series Kami Reh Gayi (2013). She achieved further success by featuring in four of Momina Duraid's romantic dramas—Phir Chand Pe Dastak (2011), Mirat-ul-Uroos (2012), Ishq Mein Teray (2013), Ru Baru (2014) and Anjum Shahzad's highly successful family drama Kabhi Kabhi (2013). Her last Pakistani television appearance was Nadeem Baig's tragic romance Dil Lagi (2016). In 2022 she had a supporting role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series Ms. Marvel, as the character Aisha, who has to flee India to Pakistan during the 1940s.
Hayat is the recipient of Lux Style Award and was honoured by the Government of Pakistan with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2019.
In 2024, Hayat made her television comeback with ARY Digital's television film Ijazat, along with Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. In 2025, she made her small screen appearance after 7 years in Geo Entertainment's television series Dayan, along with Ahsan Khan and Hira Mani.
In 2026, Hayat was announced as a judge for the first season of Pakistan's Got Talent, the Pakistani version of the international Got Talent franchise, alongside Ali Zafar and Tabish Hashmi.
Personal life
Hayat was born on 6 January 1988 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Her mother, Rukhsar Hayat, was a popular television actress during the 1980s, her eldest brother Zeeshan is a singer-composer while her older sister, Afsheen, is a singer as well. Another older brother, Danish Hayat, is an actor and, through him, she's the sister-in-law of Faiza Ashfaq, a model.
Discography
"Pani Barsa"—Man Jali (2010)
"Tell Me Why"—Meri Behan Maya (2011)
"Har Saans Gawahi Deta Hai"—Mirat-ul-Uroos (2012)
"Mujhse Ab Meri Mohabbat Ke Fasanena Kaho"—Talkhiyaan (2013)
"Tu Hi Tu" with Shiraz Uppal in 3rd episode of Coke Studio 9 as featured artist (2016)
"Dil Saab Dil Babu"—Sitaron Bhari Raat (2019)
"Chamkeeli" with Abrar-ul-Haq (2019)