Vaneeza Ahmad
Vaneeza Ahmad or Vaneeza Ahmed (Urdu: ونیزہ احمد; born 24 June 1971) is a Pakistani model and actress, and while not known as a singer, she has also sung in a few music videos over the years. As a model she has seen success as the face of some of the leading brands in Pakistan, and is the first Pakistani model to walk the ramps for famous international designers such as Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.[3][4][2][1].
Vaneeza Ahmed Ali | |
---|---|
ونیزہ احمد | |
Vaneeza at an Event | |
Born | Vaneeza Ahmed 24 June 1971 |
Other names | Vinnie[1][2] |
Occupation | Actress, model, singer |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Biography
Early life
Vaneeza Ahmad was born into a Muslim family in Murree, Pakistan, and later moved to Germany with her parents to study. Ahmad reportedly said to news media that when she was a youngster, the college students those days mostly had three career options – medicine, engineering or teaching. Modelling as a career was not an option for girls back then.[2] Ahmad returned to Pakistan at the age of 18 to attend the Kinnaird College liberal arts university in Lahore[5] and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
While at University, Ahmad started to model casually.[5] Although not much interested in modelling as a career option, she received offers from various fashion designers, some of whom were notable in the Pakistani fashion industry[5] including the likes of fashion designer Nilofer Shahid.[1]
Modelling as a career
When designer Nilofer Shahid approached Ahmad, she was unsure of which career to pursue and settled for fashion modeling. Her initial walks at fashion shows led fashion critics to praise her elegance on the cat-walk. In dealings with corporate heads of the entertainment industry, her business acumen was similarly praised.[5]
Vaneeza, the brand
Ahmad conceived the brand name Vlawn[6] for her range of lawn fabrics and the branding created a hype among the fashion conscious public. The collection consisted of nine different lawn prints created by designers that included Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. In March 2006, the collection sold-out in a series of exhibitions.[6] In 2011, she continued with her "VLawn" brand of women's lawn suits.[2]
Acting and acclaim
Ahmad made her acting debut in Jamal Shah's controversial saga Kal and has since acted in Marina Khan's Tum Hi Tau Ho, Janey Anjaney and Tum Say Mil Ker; Armaan; Khayal; and Talaash (Pakistani TV series). She played the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah's daughter Dina Wadia in Jamil Dehlavi's 1998 biographical film, Jinnah.[1]
On 16 April 2008, Vaneeza Ahmad was selected as one of the Olympic torch bearers when the torch arrived in Islamabad. She was one of the few selected celebrities[7] to hold the torch in the relay out of the chosen 66.[8]
Personal life
She married Islamabad-based businessman Ali Afzal Malik in July 2010 and has two daughters. She also runs her own side business besides her responsibility as a mother.[3][9][1]
Filmography
Television
- Tum Se Mil Kar | (PTV)[1]
- (2002) | Tum Hi Tou Ho | (PTV)
- (2002) | Tere Siwa | (PTV and AAJ TV)
- (2002) | Phir Youn Love Hua | (PTV and AAJ TV)
- Suraj Girhan | (PTV and AAJ TV)
- Zangeer | (PTV)
- Zanjeer | (PTV)
- (2001) | Chehrey | (PTV)
- Achanak
- Armaan| Nida
- Aisa Bhi Hota Hai | (PTV Home)
- Batain Dil Ki
- (2006–2010, 2012–13) | Criminal Minds: Uprising | Agent Vinnie | (Seasons 1–5,8) | (ARY Digital, CBS and Star World India)
- (N/A) | Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
- Jaane Anjaane | (PTV)
- Jannat | (PTV Home)
- (2008) | Khamoshiyan | (Hum TV)[9][1]
- (2008) | Marina Mornings | (ARY Digital TV show)
- (2008) | Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai | (TVOne Pakistan)
- (2009) | Nestle Nido Young Stars
- Na Jaane Keya Ho Gaya | (PTV)
- (2005) | 1st Indus Drama Awards | (Indus TV)
- (2006) | Na Tum Apnay Na Dil Mera | (ARY Digital)
- (2006) | Pyar Ho Jaane Do | (TVOne Pakistan)
- (2007) | Lux Style Awards
- (2010) | No Reservations | (Dawn News TV show)
- (2010) | Nadia Hussain Lounge | (AKS TV)
- (2011) | Jago Pakistan Jago | (Hum TV TV show)
- (2011) | Morning with Hum | (Hum TV TV show)[9]
- (2011) | Spotlight | (TVOne Pakistan TV Show)
- (2011) | Aks | (Express News TV show)
- (2011) | E-Tech | (Express News TV show)
- (2011) | The Sahir Show | (Geo TV TV show)
- (2011) | The Morning Show | (Express 24/7 TV show)
- (2013) | Without Shepherds | Self
- (2014) | Veet Miss Supermodel | (Hum Sitaray and Hum TV)[9]
- (2014) | Morning With Juggun| (PTV Home)
- (2014–18) | Mazaaq Raat | (Dunya News)
- (2014) | 2nd Hum Awards | (Hum TV)[9]
- (2014–18) | Tonite with HSY | (Hum Sitaray and Hum TV)[9]
- (2015) | Weekend World | (PTV World)
- (2015) | Good Morning Pakistan | (ARY Digital)
- (2015) | The Celebrity Lounge | (PTV Home)
- Mehmaan Nawaaz | Episode 19 | (See TV)
- (2016) | Ek Naya Subah With Farah Hussain | (A-Plus TV)
- (2016) | Samaa Kay Mehmaan| (Samaa TV)
- (2016) | Sunrise From Istanbul | (See TV)
- (2017) | Pakistan Ke Liye Geo | (Geo TV)
- (2017) | The Morning Show | (ARY News)
- (2017) | Breaking Weekend | (ARY Zindagi)
- (2017) | Salam Zindagi | (ARY Zindagi)
- (2017) | Pond's Miracle Journey
- (2018) | The After Moon Show | (Hum TV)[9]
- (2018–19) | Marham | Tajwar | (BOL Network)
- (2019) | Breakfeast @ Home | (PTV Home)
- (2019) | Star Iftar | (Urdu1)
- (2019) | G Kay Sang | (GNN)
- (2019–20) | Ehd-e-Wafa | Faryal | Saad's Mother | (PTV Home and Hum TV)[10][1]
- (2020) | Rising Pakistan | (PTV Home)
- (N/A) | NCIS: Los Angeles
TV Commercials
- (1997) | Kyun Ke Yeh Dil Ka Mamla Hai | Habib Oil
- Sab Say Ghara Doodh | Haleeb Milk
- Pepsi
- Head & Shoulders
- (2001) Instaphone
- Lipton by Unilever
- (2006) | Ramzan Mubarak | Olpers
- (2006) | 50 Years | LUX by Unilever
- (2007) | Brings People Closer | Indigo by Jazz Pakistan
- (2007) | Subah Bakhair Zindagi | Olpers
- (2008) Sunsilk by Unilever
- (2009) Dettol
- (2010) | Ghee | Kissan Oil
- (2011) V Lawn
- (2016) | Ghizayat Bhara Har Ghoont | Olpers
- (2020) | Khulay To Dil Khulay | Coca-Cola
Other appearances
Music Videos
Song title | Co-singer | Year |
---|---|---|
"Woh Pal" | Atif Aslam | 2020 |
"Beginning Human" | 2007 | |
"Yaad" | Shehzad Roy | 2005 |
"Na Re Na" | Ali Azmat | 2003 |
"Bulleya" | Junoon (band) | 1999 |
References
- Muhammad Asadullah (11 March 2020). "The undisputed supermodel – Vaneeza Ahmed, Pakistani model turned actress, speaks exclusively about her two-decade long journey and career". Gulf Times (newspaper). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- Amber Liaqat (9 February 2017). "All I see in models now are nakhray: Vaneeza Ahmed". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- Sheharyar Rizwan (8 February 2015). "Vaneeza Ahmad: Beauty and brains". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- Maliha Rehman (2 November 2014). "In Fashion: The affair of the 'Supermodel'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Page 3 Bollywood: Vaneeza Ahmad". WordPress. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Vaneeza: Biography". Archived from the original on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Sports Update: Pakistan torch bearers for Olympics named". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Olympic torch comes to Pakistan after 44 years". All Things Pakistan website. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- Hani Taha (12 May 2012). "Vaneeza Ahmed: Of nap times and nappy changes". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- Irfan-ul-Haq (19 September 2019). "Vaneeza Ahmed is playing Ahad Raza Mir's mother in Ehd-e-Wafa". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.