Yumna Zaidi
Yumna Zaidi | |
|---|---|
 Zaidi in 2019 | |
| Born | July 30, 1989[1] |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
Yumna Zaidi (born 30 July 1989) is a Pakistani actress who works in Urdu-television industry. Known for her portrayals in social to romantic dramas. Zaidi is the recipient of five Lux Style Awards and two Hum Awards.
She first appeared as a supporting character in ARY Digital's domestic-drama Thakan (2012) and then played lead roles in several television series, including the family drama Meri Dulari and the revenge Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi (both 2013), the later of which earned her a nomination of Hum Award for Best Supporting Actress. She gained popularity and Hum Award for Best Actress nominations by portraying a troubled wife in Farooq Rind's tragic-romance Rishtay Kuch Adhooray Se and received praise for the jealous-drama Mausam (both 2014), the comedy drama Jugnoo (2015), the romance Zara Yaad Kar (2016) and the romantic comedy Yeh Raha Dil (2017).
Zaidi gained critical praise and established herself by starring in Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila (2017), Inkaar (2019), Pyar Ke Sadqay (2020), Dil Na Umeed To Nahi (2021) and Bakhtawar (2022) the second, third and last of these earned her Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress.
Early life
Zaidi was born on 30 July 1989 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Her father, who passed away in 2019, was a numbardar, a village head responsible for tax collection, in Muhammad Nagar, a village close to the town of Arif Wala in Punjab.[2]
Career
Television
Early work (2012)
Her first screen debut was a supporting role in the ARY Digital's 2012 domestic drama Thakan, and followed it with a leading role in the melodrama Khushi Ek Roag. She then appeared in Urdu 1's Teri Raah Main Rul Gai opposite Samiya Mumtaz and Sami Khan where she played the character of Maryam.[3]
Critical acclaim (2013–present)
Zaidi received praise for portraying emotionally intense characters in the dramas, Geo TV's Meri Dulari (2013) and Hum TV's Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi (2013), the later of which garnered her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at Hum Awards. Her acclaimed role of a troubled wife in the tragic romance Rishtay Kuch Adhooray Se (2013), established her as a leading actress of Pakistan and earned her the Hum Award for Best Actress and Best Actress Popular nominations. Zaidi subsequently did a special appearance in 2013 series Sannata and played supporting role in Kashif Nisar's directorial Kis Se Kahoon alongside Sajal Ali and Agha Ali. She gained wider recognition for portraying a range of characters in the dramas Mausam (2014), Madawa (2015), Guzaarish (2015), and Jugnoo (2015), Kaanch Ki Guriya (2015), Paras (2015) and Aap ki Kaneez (2015), some of which garnered her several Best Actress nominations.[4]
In 2016 she appeared in Momina Duraid's Zara Yaad Kar where she played the lead character of Uzma Ikhtiar opposite Zahid Ahmed and Sana Javed.[5] She then appeared in Hum TV's Yeh Raha Dil in 2017 opposite Ahmed Ali. Zaidi played the character of Hayat whose mother has died and father deserted her at a young age. Her on-screen chemistry with Ali was praised by viewers and earned her nomination of Best on-screen couple at Hum Awards.[6] Later she signed Kashif Nisar's directorial Pinjra.[7] In the same year she appeared as Sila, a victim of sexual harassment in Bee Gul's directed Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila opposite Noman Ijaz and Saman Ansari. A critic from The News International praised her saying, "With fewer dialogues and a tough subject at hand, Yumna pulled off her role effortlessly, making it believable from beginning till the end".[8]
In 2018–19, she appeared in Pukaar as Samra, widow of the feudal lord[9] and appeared in 7th Sky Entertainment's Project Dil Kiya Karey, directed by Mehreen Jabbar.[10][11] She played a role of Hajra in social drama Inkaar opposite Imran Ashraf and Sami Khan and made special appearance in Angeline Malik's anthology series Choti Choti Batain.[12][13] She further appeared in an extended cameo in Ishq Zahe Naseeb[14] and as Raina in telefilm Shaadi Impossible.[15]
Films
She made her film debut with the titular role of an aspiring cricketer in Umair Nasir Ali's directed Nayab (2024).[16] Writing for The Express Tribune, Shafiq Siddiqui disliked the film and wrote, "It does not offer any dialogue that bear recall value, the film grapples with its excessively long runtime, leading to a loss of impact at various junctures". Also, Zaidi's performance was not well received, opined, "Despite playing the titular character, she [struggles] for proper projection and lines that would make her character memorable."[17] The film eventually became a box-office bomb.
Other work
Poetry
She has written poetry, especially Sufi poetry, that she has also recited for social media.[18][19]
Social awareness
In 2016 the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority served a show-cause notice toUdaari, she spoke out, stating:
It is based on a social cause and we should create awareness in our society through such drama serials.[20]
Modelling
She walked the ramp for designer Aisha Farid's collection Crystalline on Hum TV's Bridal Couture Week.[21]
Comedy talkshows
She also appeared in celebrity comedy talkshow Mazaaq Raat in 2017.[22]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nayab | Nayab | [23] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Thakan | Mehak | ARY Digital | Television Debut[4] |
| Khushi Ek Roag | Aabroo | [8] | ||
| Teri Raah Main Rul Gai | Maryam | Urdu 1 | ||
| 2013 | Meri Dulari | Abdar Yawar | Geo TV | |
| Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi | Aasia Yqoob | Hum TV | ||
| Dil Mohallay Ki Haveli | Mehrunissa | Geo TV | ||
| Rishtay Kuch Adhooray Se | Kiran | Hum TV | ||
| Ruswaiyaan | SabTV | |||
| Sannata | Naseeban (young) | ARY Digital | Cameo appearance[24] | |
| 2014 | Kis Se Kahoon | Salma | PTV Home | |
| Mausam | Shazia | Hum TV | [4] | |
| 2015 | Madawa | Ayman | Hum Sitaray | |
| Kaanch Ki Guriya | Manal | Geo TV | ||
| Guzaarish | Zara Aalam | ARY Digital | [4] | |
| 2015–2016 | Aap Ki Kaneez | Kaneez Fatima | Geo TV | |
| 2015 | Jugnoo | Jugnoo | Hum TV | |
| Paras | Aiman | Geo TV | ||
| 2016 | Zara Yaad Kar | Uzma Ikhtiyar | Hum TV | [4] |
| 2017 | Pinjra | Amtul Rafey | A-Plus TV | [7] |
| Yeh Raha Dil | Hayat | Hum TV | [8] | |
| 2017–2018 | Dar Si Jati Hai Sila | Sila | [8] | |
| 2018 | Pukaar | Samra Sultan | ARY Digital | [25] |
| Dil Kiya Karay | Aiman | Geo TV | [26] | |
| 2019 | Inkaar | Hajra | Hum TV | |
| Choti Choti Batain | Bisma | Story: Bandhan | ||
| Ishq Zahe Naseeb | Shakra (Sameer's Illusion) | Extended cameo | ||
| 2020 | Pyar Ke Sadqay | Mahjabeen | ||
| 2020 | Raaz-e-Ulfat | Mushq | Geo TV | |
| 2021 | Dil Na Umeed To Nahi | Sumbul/ Allah Rakhi | TV One | |
| 2021–22 | Ishq-e-Laa | Azka | Hum TV | |
| Sinf-e-Aahan | Shaista Khanzada | ARY Digital | ||
| Parizaad | Qurutulain/RJ Annie | Hum TV | [27] | |
| 2022 | Bakhtawar | Bakhtawar | Hum TV | |
| 2022–23 | Tere Bin | Meerab Murtasim Khan | Geo TV | |
| 2024 | Gentleman | Zarnab | Green Entertainment | [28] |
Telefilms
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Subah Be Daagh Hai | Ayesha | Hum TV |
| 2019 | Shaadi Impossible | Raina | TV One |
| 2020 | Raja Ki Raji | Haya | ARY Digital[29] |
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Shareek-e-Hayat | Recurring | Anthology romantic series, Episodic appearance |
| 2014 | Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain | Recurring | Anthology series |
| 2016 | Salam Zindagi | Herself | Morning Talkshow hosted by Faysal Qureshi |
| 2017 | Mehmaan Qadardan | Herself | Special appearance[30] |
| 2017 | Jago Pakistan Jago | Herself | Guest appearance with Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila team for promotion of the project |
| 2017 | Mazaaq Raat | Herself | Guest appearance with Abdullah Ejaz |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ "Wahaj Ali pens heartfelt birthday wish for Yumna Zaidi". Tribune. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Khan, Areesha (4 July 2021). "Yumna Zaidi Organises Free Med Camp At Her Homestead". Fuchsia Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024.
Yumna Zaidi's father, Zameendar Zaidi was the Numbardar of the village Muhammad Nagar, which is located near Arifwala.
- ^ "13 Times Pakistani Actor Yumna Zaidi Proved That She's A Force To Be Reckoned With". Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Shabbir, Buraq. "TV actors we want to see in cinema". The News International. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Yumna Zaidi talks about upcoming play 'Zara Yaad Kar'". Ahmed Hussain. HIP. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Exciting: Hum Awards has revealed their viewers choice nominations list". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b Khan, Saira (16 January 2017). "Teasers of Pinjra show Yumna Zaidi's versatility". HIP. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d ""I'm very proud of portraying this one character." | TNS – The News on Sunday". tns.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Pukaar Drama | Zahid Ahmed Yumna Zaidi Naveed Shahzad". OxGadgets. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Mehreen Jabbar and Sarmad Khoosat reunite after a decade". The Nation. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Here's what you need to know about the Yumna Zaidi, Feroze Khan starrer "Dil Kya Karay" – Oyeyeah". Oyeyeah. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Imran Ashraf and Yumna Zaidi come together for Inkaar". thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Angeline strikes back with 'Choti Choti Baatein'". The Nation. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Sonya Hussyn doing justice to her role in 'Ishq Zahe Naseeb'". The Nation. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ Shirazi, Maria. "Must-watch Eid telefilms". thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ "'Never picked a bat or ball' but Yumna Zaidi wants to ace her film debut as cricketer in 'Nayab'". The Express Tribune. 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Nayab review: Where's the sport?". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Nasir, Zainab (19 July 2021). "Yumna Zaidi wins fans hearts with melodious rendition of her poetry". Daily Jang.
- ^ "Yumna Zaidi turns Sufi poet in latest video". ARY News. 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Celebrities lend support to Udaari post PEMRA notice | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Demesne Couture steals the show on PHBCW Day 2". pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Mazaaq Raat Official (18 September 2017), Yumna Zaidi & Abdullah Ejaz – Mazaaq Raat 18 September 2017 – مذاق رات - Dunya News, retrieved 28 July 2018
- ^ "'Never picked a bat or ball' but Yumna Zaidi wants to ace her film debut as cricketer in 'Nayab'". Tribune.com. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Urdu Tv Serial Sannata - Full Cast and Crew". nettv4u. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Zahid Ahmed and Yumna Zaidi to Star Together in Pukaar! - VeryFilmi". VeryFilmi. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Shooting for Mehreen Jabbar's Dil Kiya Karey wraps up". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Siraj, Simran (4 February 2022). "Review: 'Parizaad' is a lesson on accepting love". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Humayun Saeed and Yumna Zaidi to share screen for drama 'Gentleman'". Dunyanews. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Shirazi, Maria (8 March 2019). "How to keep yourself entertained this Eid". The News International. Pakistan.
- ^ A Plus Entertainment (17 January 2017), Mehman Qadardan Ep 12 | Yumna Zaidi | A Plus, retrieved 28 July 2018
- ^ "2nd Servis Hum Awards Held at Karachi". Umar Farooq. Web Pakistan. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ^ "Winner List of 2nd Hum Awards". Showbiz Spice. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
- ^ "Winners of Hum Awards 2014 and Pictures". Humari Dunya. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "HUM TV Awards 2015: the nominations are in". DAWN.COM. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ "Hum Awards 2016 Complete Nominations List". Maheen Nusrat. Brandsynario. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Hum Awards 2016 Complete Nominations List". The News International. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ "Here's everyone who won big at the 7th Hum Awards". Dawn Images. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "GEO LSA 2021: Yumna Zaidi celebrates the year with two 'Best Actor' awards". Thenews. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ "Yumna Zaidi Wins Big At LSA 2023". The Friday Times. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "IPPA Awards 2023 Winners List, Best Actor, Best Film all details". Brauss.in. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Hum Awards 2024: Yumna Zaidi, Sehar Khan among top winners". SamaaTV. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Hum Awards 2024: Which celebrity took trophies to home?". BolNews. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
External links
- Yumna Zaidi at IMDb
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