I'm here for a concert, not an assembly: Farhan Saeed | The Express Tribune

Want to know how to win over the hearts of your student fans? Take a page out of Farhan Saeed's book and school their teachers in a concert. Earlier this week at a university concert, the singer-songwriter, who is currently touring across Pakistan, was left baffled and frustrated as teachers attempted to rein in the enjoyment of his student audience, telling them to sit down instead of taking to their feet.

"You're not letting a link develop with the crowd, just relax!" an exasperated Farhan could be heard telling the guards and supervising teachers trying to rein in his student audience. As whoops and cheers filled the venue, Farhan pointed to an official and added, "You wandering around in a rage – just what is the problem? I don't want them to sit down because they're enjoying themselves! If they sit, it will kill the energy!"

That moment alone may have been enough to ramp up the very energy Farhan was campaigning for, but the star, clad in a simple T-shirt, jeans and sunglasses, had one more withering comment up his sleeve to win over his fans. "To all the people who are telling everyone to sit down – guys, I'm here for a concert, not an assembly!" he urged. "I love an energetic crowd!"

As a video of Farhan's staunch support of the crowd began doing the rounds on social media, the actor-singer's already large faNBAse began flooding the comments section wherever the reel was shared.

"Ah! His famous uncanny humour!" penned a follower. "He should host a comedy show! Such an amazing human and an entertainer he is! That's why people can't get enough of him. Love him to bits!" Another impressed commenter added, "There may be a thousand great singers but what truly stands out is a kind person, and that's exactly who he is."

Farhan already has a robust fan following, having had musical his roots in Jal, winning over the heart of model-cum-wife Urwa Hocane, and wowing drama aficionados with his portrayal of Hamza in Mere Humsafar. However, his very human connection with the music lovers who paid to see him in concert has only strengthened the bond he has with his fans. And what better way to amass a legion of young fans than to plead with their educators to leave them alone? As one fan shared in Urdu, "It felt so good when Farhan told off those teachers! It reminded me of my own teachers – why should they not give us permission to enjoy ourselves when we have paid money to do so?"

Such was by no means a lone sentiment, with yet another fan writing, "I hate it when teachers exhibit constable-like behaviour."

Lesson learned: it does not matter anymore whether Farhan's actual performance was off-pitch or a stunner. Hearts were won the moment the man spoke up for his fans on stage and gave them something else to cheer about.

In addition to giving people something to cheer about during his music tour, Farhan is currently starring opposite fellow television star Hania Aamir once again in Kaisi Hai Ye Ruswai. An active force in the showbiz world, the pair previously took the Pakistani television world by storm with their eclectic performances in Mere Humsafar, where Farhan's Hamza's green flag heroics cemented his place in drama History. In his personal life, Farhan embraced fatherhood this year and his wife Urwa gave birth to their daughter in January.