Zafar started his career as a music composer and gained popularity with his single "Channo" from his debut album "Huqa Pani," which sold over five million copies worldwide. "Channo" turned out to be a huge success, topping many music charts and earned him several awards for Best Music Album and Artist. Zafar made his acting debut with a leading role in the 2010 Bollywood satire film "Tere Bin Laden", a moderate box office success. His performance in the film garnered critical appreciation and earned him several nominations in the Best Male Debut category, including Filmfare. He then also worked in several films, including "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan", "Chashme Baddoor", and "Dear Zindagi".