Ayesha Omer

Ayesha Omer is a Pakistani actress, model, singer, and painter. She is one of country's most popular and highest-paid actresses, and is often considered as a style icon.[1][2][3][4][5][6] In 2019, she was awarded the Tamgha-e-Fakhr-e-Pakistan (Pride of Pakistan) by the Warsi International Organisation.[7][8][9][10][11]

Ayesha Omer
عائشہ عمر
Ayesha Omer at Ufone Uth Records Press Conference
Born (1981-10-12) 12 October 1981
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
EducationBeaconhouse School System
Alma materNational College of Arts
OccupationActress, model, singer, painter
Years active2000–present

In 2012, she released her first single "Chalte Chalte" and "Khamoshi" which, although a commercial success in Pakistan, was met with a mixed reaction from critics. Omer went on to win Lux Style Award for Best Album.[12] She made her film debut in the lead role with successful romantic-comedy Karachi Se Lahore in 2015, followed by supporting characters in war film Yalghaar (2017) and the drama Kaaf Kangana (2019).[13]

Early life

Omer was born in Lahore, Pakistan. She was one year old when her father died and her mother raised Omer and her brother as a single parent. She described her childhood as ''tough'' and ''independent''.[14] She attended Lahore Grammar School, and went to the National College of Arts for her Bachelors and Masters qualifications.[15] While in school and college, she participated in co-curricular activities and learnt dance through theatre plays.

Career

Modeling

Omer started her career as a model. She has done many commercials, including for Kurkure, Harpic, Capri, Pantene and Zong. Omer first hosted the show Meray Bachpan Kay Din on PTV at the age of eight.[16] She then hosted Morning show Yeh Waqt Hai Mera on CNBC Pakistan, Rhythm on Prime TV and Hot chocolate on ARY Zauq. In 2018, she participated in New York Fashion Week as Pakistan's Spokesperson for beauty brand Maybelline.[17]

Acting
Ayesha Omer with fans at Lahooti Melo in Sindh University

Omer made her acting debut with serial College Jeans which aired on PTV, after which she appeared in Geo TV's drama serial Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat alongside veteran actors like Bushra Ansari, Saba Hameed and Jawed Sheikh. Since 2009, she appears on popular sitcom Bulbulay as Khoobsurat, opposite actor Nabeel. Bulbulay become the most watched sitcom of Pakistan.[18] Following the success of Bulbulay, Omer received strong media coverage and became a household name.[19] Its second season currently airs on ARY Digital.[20]

Omer then appeared in PTV serial Dil Ko Manana Aya Nahi opposite Amanat Ali, and Geo TV's drama serial Ladies Park alongside Humayun Saeed, Azfar Rehman, Hina Dilpazeer and Mahnoor Baloch.

In 2012, she was seen in Hum TV's highly successful romantic-drama serial Zindagi Gulzar Hai. She portrayed Sara, a girl with grey shades.[21] In the serial, she played the role of on-screen sister of Fawad Khan. In an interview with The News International, she commented: ''Fawad I’ve known since I was in college. We were part of the same underground music scene in Lahore – he was with EP and I was with my college band. We’ve spent some great times and practically grown up together. He was always very cute and very talented. But no, I can never think of him ‘that’ way and I didn’t mind playing his sister at all.''[22]

In 2013, she played the main antagonist called Arzoo in Tanhai on Hum TV. The show was a success.[23]

She was also seen in Geo Kahani's serial Soha or Savera and Hum TV's serial Woh Chaar.[24] Apart from television, she also performed item songs in Pakistani films Love Mein Ghum and Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, both of which were commercially successful.

After becoming a established actress of Pakistani television, Omer stepped into film industry in lead role with Wajahat Rauf's road drama film Karachi Se Lahore, in which she was paired opposite Shehzad Sheikh. Upon release, the film received generally mixed reviews from critics.[25][26] The Express Tribune criticized Omer's appearance in the movie and wrote: ''There was barely anything for Ayesha Omer in the script, which is why her performance doesn't get noticed more than a girl wearing a revealing top, in a jeep flooded by guys. Even her item number Tutti Fruity was a touch jittery and certainly not worth the hype.''[27] Although Karachi Se Lahore was not critically well-received, it surprisingly came out as a major box office success, with a total earning of 10 Crore (US$1.0 million) worldwide.[28]

Omer continued to act in television plays after signing few films, and made episodic appearances on Mr. Shamim and Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain 2.

Her next film release was Yalghaar in 2017, in which she played the intense character of Zarmina. Dawn.com describes her character as, ''Even more elusive is Ayesha Omer's purpose on the set. She plays a bride who is kidnapped from her wedding ceremony by Tor Jan (Humayun Saeed) and his terrorists. Her role, if any, is to grieve constantly and have Tor Jan whisper philosophical sayings into her ear. Yalghaar is among the most expensive Pakistani films ever made and the cost of waterproof makeup on Ayesha Omar's ashen face coupled with an endless cascade of fake tears, have surely contributed their share.''[29] Despite having an ensemble cast including Shaan, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui among others, the film failed to garner a high score at box office, and collected around a total income of 200 million (US$1.9 million), which was called disappointing as compared to its big budget.[30][31]

In 2018, Omer made a special appearance in film Saat Din Mohabbat In opposite Sheheryar Munawar, which was released in June 2018.[32] Speaking about the film in a press statement, Omer commented: ''I said yes to the movie as soon as I read the script. I absolutely loved the concept of the movie as it is a complete entertainer with a pinch of both comedy and romance.''[33] The film was a box office success.[34]

In 2019, she played a supporting character in the romantic-drama film Kaaf Kangana, directed by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. Haiya Bokhari of Dawn.com noted, ''Omar's character, though brief in its screen-time provides some relief, both aesthetically compared to odious styling featured in the rest of the film and in terms of acting and dialogue. Her natural effervescence shines through bringing some respite to sore eyes.''[35] The film emerged as a box office bomb.[36]

Music

Omer first sang the song "Man Chala Hai" for her commercial Capri. Then she sang the song "Bhooli Yaadon Mein", title song of her serial Ladies Park and "Manjali" title song of Geo TV serial Manjali. She also sang the songs "Aoa" and "Tu Hi Hai".

In 2012, Omer released two albums "Chalte Chalte" and "Khamoshi" for which she won Lux Style Awards for Best Album, and in 2013 she released her third album "Gimme Gimme". In 2013, she gave her voice for an old classical song named "Laage Re Nain" and another fusion song "Miyan Ki Malhar" for Coke Studio Pakistan (Season 6).

Painting

A Fine Arts graduate from NCA, she said that, even before acting and modelling, painting and singing were her first passions and career choices.[37]

Personal life

In December 2015, Omer and her co-star Azfar Rehman met with a road accident. The actors were reportedly travelling from Karachi to Hyderabad when the accident occurred.[38] According to a source, another vehicle collided into their car, causing the car to swerve off the road and fall into a ditch. After recovering from injury, Omer told media:

''My entire life flashed in front of my eyes as I held onto my seat waiting to be hit by a truck.''[39]

In a 2020 interview with Ahsan Khan on his show Bol Nights with Ahsan Khan, Omer revealed that she has also been a victim of sexual harassment, stating: ''I have been through harassment in my career and life, so I understand how it feels. I don’t have the courage to talk about it yet, maybe someday I will. But I can totally relate with everyone who has been through it.''[40]

Filmography
Key
Denotes film/drama that has not released yet

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2011Love Mein GhumHerselfSpecial appearance in song "Love Mein Ghum"
2013Main Hoon Shahid Afridi Special appearance in song "Beautiful Night"
2015Karachi se LahoreMaryamAlso playback singer for "Tutti Fruiti"
2017YalghaarZarmina
2018 Saat Din Mohabbat In Tipu's unnamed partner Special appearance[41][42]
2019Kaaf KanganaGulnaz[43][44]
2020Dhai Chaal KanwalPost-production[45]
2020Rehbra BubblyPre-production[46][47]
2020Money Back Guarantee TBAPre-production[48]

Television
Year Serial Role Notes
2000Kollege Jeans[49]Sabahat
Kaun (Psycho Thriller)SaniaAppeared in Episode 2 & 6
2006Kuch Lamhe Zindagi KayMishi
2006 Muthi Bhar Aasman
2009–2017, 2018BulbulayKhoobsuratARY Digital then on BOL Entertainment
2009Meri Zaat Zarra-e-BenishanHerselfSpecial appearance
2010Dolly Ki Ayegi BaraatSila
2011Ladies ParkNatasha
2012Dil Ko Manana Aya NahiNoor
2012Woh ChaarMeher
2012–2013Zindagi Gulzar HaiSara
2013TanhaiArzoo
2014Soha Aur SaveraSoha
2014Meri GuriyaQurat-ul-AinTelefilm
2015Mr. ShamimSidra Niazi
2015Miss You Kabhi KabhiNoor Hassan
2016Mera Dard BayzubaSoha
2016Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain 2SaraEpisode 2[50]
2019 Phir Bulbulay Khoobsurat
2019–present Bulbulay (season 2) Khoobsurat [51]

Reality shows
YearSerialRoleNetwork
2002–2003Meray Bachpan Kay DinHostPTV
2005–2006RhythmPrime TV
2010–2011Yeh Waqt Hai MeraCNBC Pakistan
2012–2012Hot ChocolateARY Zauq
2016 Battle of the Bands Various

Discography
YearSongNotes
2010"Man Chala Hai"Song for commercial Capri
"Aoa"Music Video
"Tu Hi Hai"
2011"Bhooli Yaadon Mein"Theme song of serial Ladies Park
"Manjali"Theme song of serial Manjali
"Ye Kya Hua"Theme song of serial Uraan
2012"Chalte Chalte"Music Video
"Khamoshi"Video Album
Lux Style Award for Best Album
2013"Gimme Gimme"Music Video
"Laage Re Nain"Sung at Coke Studio Pakistan (Season 6)
"Miyan Ki Malhaar"
2015"Tutti Fruiti"Sung for the film Karachi se Lahore

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
Lux Style Awards
2013 Khamoshi Best Video Album Won
ARY Film Awards
2016 Karachi Se Lahore ARY Film Award for Best Actress Nominated [52]
ARY Film Award for Best Star Debut Female Won
International Pakistan Prestige Awards
2017 Style Icon of the Year Female Won [53]
[54]

See also

References
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  2. "Bulbulay Cast & Crew". TV.com.pk. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  3. "Ladies Park Cast & Crew". Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. "Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2012–2013) Series Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  5. "Dil Apna Preet Parai Urdu 1 Drama Serial". TV.com.pk. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  6. "Top 10 Pakistani Actresses and Female Models 2016". Super Web Portal. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  7. "Ayesha Omar receives Tamgha-e-Fakhr-e-Pakistan award". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. "After Mehwish Hayat, Ayesha Omar trolled for receiving 'Tamgha-e-Fakhr-e-Pakistan'". The Express Tribune. 23 March 2019.
  9. "Ayesha Omer on style". Daily Times. n.d. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  10. "Pakistani films successfully attracting people towards cinemas: Ayesha – Entertainment". Dunya News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  11. "Style Icon: Ayesha Omar – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  12. "Haters will always hate, says Ayesha Omar". The Express Tribune. Group work. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. "Yalghaar's new poster features Ayesha Umer in an intense look – Entertainment – Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  14. "Ayesha Omar – BOLD & BADASS | Cover Story – MAG THE WEEKLY". www.magtheweekly.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  15. "Ayesha Omar – BOLD & BADASS | Cover Story – MAG THE WEEKLY". www.magtheweekly.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
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  17. "Ayesha Omar to attend New York Fashion Week". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  18. Abdurab, Adi (8 September 2014). "Is 'Bulbulay' bad for comedy?". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
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  30. "Yalghaar fared better than Mehrunisa V Lub U over Eid, say cinema owners". Images. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
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  32. NewsBytes. "Ayesha Omar joins the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". The News International. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  33. NewsBytes. "Ayesha Omar joins the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  34. "'7 Din Mohabbat In' rules box office". The Nation. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  35. "I finally watched Kaaf Kangana and instantly wished I hadn't". Images. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
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  37. Saadia Qamar (30 November 2010), "Ayesha Omar: The adorable, ambitious artist", The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  38. "Ayesha Omar, Azfar Rehman injured in car accident near Karachi – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
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  40. "#MeToo: I have been through harassment, I don't have the courage to talk about it yet, says Ayesha Omer". The Express Tribune. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
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  43. Sarym, Ahmed (11 April 2018). "Ayesha Omar's latest project Kaaf Kangana is an intense romance". Images. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  44. https://bookitnow.blog/kaaf-kangana-ayesha-omer-spills-beans-character-upcoming-film/
  45. "Shamoon Abbasi is a RAW agent on a mission in Dhai Chaal's gritty teaser". Images. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  46. http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1151151/ahsan-khan-and-ayesha-omer-have-signed-a-movie-together
  47. http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1151163/im-a-lawyer-by-education-but-an-actor-by-birth-says-sarish-khan-miss-pakistan-usa
  48. "Meet The Complete 28 Member Cast Of 'Money Back Guarantee' money back guarantee pakistani film". Galaxy Lollywood. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
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  50. Khan, Saira (7 November 2016). "In Review: Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain disappoints". HIP. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  51. Tribune.com.pk (19 April 2019). "Ayesha Omar confirms 'Bulbulay' to have new season". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  52. Rozina Bhutto (18 April 2016). "Who won what at the ARY Film Awards 2016". HIP. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  53. "International Pakistan Prestige Awards Nominations Revealed!". Brandsynario. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  54. Iman Zia (18 September 2017). "Here's Why Every Pakistani Celebrity Is in London Right Now". MangoBaaz. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
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