Waheed Lala on satire, impressions and social media

Pakistani comedian Waheed Lala reflects on his craft, cultural sensitivities, and evolving journey in a recent podcast.

Pakistani comedian and impressionist Waheed Lala is one of those rare entertainers who has managed to stay relevant across different eras of media, from television to the fast-moving world of social media content. In a recent candid podcast appearance, he opened up about the mechanics of his craft, the cultural sensitivities that come with comedy, and where he sees his creative work heading next.
Lala is perhaps best known for his impressions, and among them, his take on actor Humayun Saeed has attracted the most attention. In the podcast, he broke down what makes that particular impression work, revealing that it goes far beyond simply mimicking a voice. The key, he explained, lies in understanding Saeed’s unique delivery style, the specific weight he carries in his chest voice, and the effortless leading-man gravitas that defines his presence. He also shared that his connection to the impression began professionally, revealing that director Nabeel Qureshi originally approached him for a dubbing project involving Saeed’s voice.
The conversation also touched on the cultural friction that his comedy sometimes generates. Performing impressions and satirical characters in Pakistan comes with its own set of pressures, particularly when those characters push against social norms or touch on gender dynamics. Lala acknowledged the tightrope that comedians walk in this space, where the line between sharp satire and content that draws criticism can shift depending on the audience and the platform.
Speaking about the broader media landscape, Lala reflected on the shift from traditional network television to social media as the dominant arena for comedic content. The move has changed everything about how comedy is made, distributed, and consumed. Audiences now engage directly with creators, feedback is instant, and the pace of content production is relentless. For someone who built his career in a slower-moving television environment, adapting to that reality has required a genuine rethinking of approach.
On the creative side, Lala revealed an ambitious and distinctly unconventional idea he has been developing. He wants to blend horror with Pakistani social satire, using a zombie apocalypse as a canvas to reflect everyday cultural tropes and social behaviour. It is the kind of concept that sounds surprising coming from a comedian known primarily for impressions, but it speaks to a creative restlessness that goes beyond mimicry.
The podcast framed Lala’s work in a way that recast what he does as something more meaningful than simple imitation. As the host put it, mimicry is the highest form of compliment an artist can receive. For Lala, it is also the foundation of a career that has continued to evolve well past the point where many entertainers settle into a comfortable routine.