Zara Noor Abbas

Zara Noor Abbas (born 13 March 1991), also known by her married name Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui, is a Pakistani actress. She is best known for her role as Arsala in Momina Duraid's Khamoshi (2017), and has also acted in serials Dharkan (2016), Lamhay (2018), Qaid (2018), Deewar-e-Shab (2019) and Ehd-e-Wafa (2019). She made her film debut with Wajahat Rauf's Chhalawa (2019) and later appeared in Asim Raza's Parey Hut Luv in the same year, both of which were commercially successful.

Zara Noor Abbas
Born (1991-03-13) 13 March 1991[1][2]
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
EducationBeaconhouse National University
OccupationActress, Model
Years active2016–present
Known forDharkan (2016)
Khamoshi (2017)
Ehd-e-Wafa (2019)
Parey Hut Love (2019)
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2017)
RelativesAsma Abbas (mother)
Bushra Ansari (aunt)

The daughter of actress Asma Abbas and niece of Bushra Ansari and Sumbul Shahid, Abbas made her acting debut in her early days. She used to appear in theatres and short plays. In 2016, she made her television debut with a role of Areen in Hum TV's Dharkan. She gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Arsala in 2017 series Khamoshi which ranks among the highest rated drama series of 2017 and established her as a leading actress in Urdu television. She has played a character of Reham in 2018 crime drama series Qaid. In 2019, she has played an extended cameo appearance as Feroza Jahan in Hum TV's historical series Deewar-e-Shab and appeared as Rani in ISPR's special military series Ehd-e-Wafa.[3][4] In a short review of her earlier projects and acheievments, Gulf News and BBC's journalist called her a future superstar of Pakistan.[5][6]

Early life

Abbas was born on 13 March 1991 in Lahore, Punjab.[7] She is the daughter of actress Asma Abbas, niece of Bushra Ansari and maternal grand-daughter of Ahmad Bashir. She is from a Punjabi background.[8][9][1]

Career

A graduate from Beaconhouse National University, Abbas has studied film design, dancing, theatre and film making as an optional subject too.[10][10] After participating in various plays and dance competitions, she made her television debut in the Fahim Burney's directed 2016 series Dharkan, where she played the lead character of Areen opposite Adeel Chaudhary and Ghana Ali.[11][9] The series ran for 18 episodes and aired weekly.[12][13] The series received mixed reviews from critics. Shahbano Yousuf of Daily Times stated, "We see this drama as a great blend of our culture, its norms and value mixed with fantastical romance".[12]

In 2017 she appeared in another project with the lead role of Arsala in the critically acclaimed series Khamoshi opposite Bilal Khan, Affan Waheed and Iqra Aziz.[1][14] Upon release, Khamoshi has become one the most watched drama series of 2017 and also nominated for Best Drama Serial category at annual Hum Awards.[15][16][17] Her on-screen chemistry with Bilal Khan was praised.[18] According to Buraq Shabbir of The News International, the series turned out to be a game changer for her.[19] Ahmed Sarym of The Express Tribune praised her saying, "Within a short span of time, she’s not only been able to mark a niche but also impress both commercially and critically alike".[9]

Abbas appeared in two series in 2018. She first starred alongside Shaz Khan in Amna Nawaz Khan's directorial Lamhay which tells the story of star-crossed lovers who are reincarnated.[20] It is her third consecutive appearance in Momina Duraid's production after Dharkan and Khamoshi. The series did not do well in terms of ratings but her performance was praised.[21] Her next series was Qaid. She starred opposite Syed Jibran and played the role of a Reham, a Home teacher who faces difficulties when one of her students is attracted to her.[22] The series received average reviews.

Besides television Abbas was signed to her first film, Parey Hut Luv, directed by Asim Raza, also starring Maya Ali, Mahira Khan and Shehryar Munawar Siddiqui.[23][24] The film was released in August 2019.[25][26] In the same year, she was signed to Wajahat Rauf's comedy-drama Chhalawa opposite Mehwish Hayat and Azfar Rehman.[27] She was paired with her husband Asad Siddiqui in the project.[28][29] Both films performed well at the box-office.[30] She will also be part of upcoming Wajahat Rauf's venture Karachi Se Lahore 3 which will be the third installment in Karachi Lahore (film series).[31]

Personal life

In 2017, she married fellow actor Asad Siddiqui, the nephew of Adnan Siddiqui. According to Abbas, they first met on the sets of Kis Ki Ayegi Baraat. The marriage ceremony was held in Karachi, Pakistan.[32][33][34] They later worked together in the feature films Chhalawa and Zebaish.[35][36]

Off-screen work

Abbas frequently criticises body-shaming in the media industry.[37][38] In June 2018, Abbas delivered a speech on "Power of a Single Decision" at Government College University in Lahore organized by TED Talk.[39][13] She appeared for FnkAsia at Fashion Pakistan Week.[40][41][42][43][44] In November 2019, Abbas joined hands with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to empower refugees in Pakistan and across the world.[45]

Filmography
Key
Denotes film/serial that has not yet been released

Television
Year Title Role Director Notes
2016 Dharkan Areen Fahim Burney Lead Role
2017 Khamoshi Arsala Sabir Ilyas Kashmiri Lead Role
2018 Lamhay Aleena Amna Nawaz Khan Lead Role
2018 Qaid Rehaam Shagufta Bhatti Lead Role
2019 Deewar-e-Shab Feroza Jahan Iqbal Hussain Episode 1-2
2019 Ehd-e-Wafa Rani Saife Hassan
2020 Zebaish Noushaba Iqbal Hussain
2020 Dil Tera Hogaya Roma Arshad Aehsun Talish

Film
Year Title Role Director Notes
2019 Chhalawa Haya Rafaqat Wajahat Rauf
2019 Parey Hut Love Shabbo Asim Raza International Screen Awards for Best Supporting Actress[46]
2020 Aan TBA Nadeem Baig Filming[47]

Music video
Year Title Artist Notes
2020 "Ye Watan Tumhara Hai" Various [48][49]

Awards and nominations
Year Work Award Category Result
2020 Chhalawa Pakistan International Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated[50]
2020 Parey Hut Luv Best Supporting Actress Won[51]
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gollark: Network time protocol.
gollark: NO!

References
  1. "Happy Birthday to the gorgeous diva Zara Noor Abbas". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  2. Staff, Images (13 March 2019). "Zara Noor Abbas celebrates 28th birthday with an intimate house party". DAWN. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  3. NewsBytes. "Zara Noor Abbas on her upcoming play Deewar e Shab". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  4. Staff, Images (31 August 2019). "OKB and Ahad Raza Mir are college buddies in Hum TV's Ehd-e-Wafa". DAWN. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  5. "Zara Noor Abbas is a 'future superstar', says BBC journalist". The News International. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  6. "Pakistan's future superstar, meet Zara Noor Abbas". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. Staff, Images (13 March 2019). "Zara Noor Abbas celebrates 28th birthday with an intimate house party". DAWN. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  8. says, Abdul salam (21 April 2018). "Pakistani mother-daughter celebrities who are too good to be ignored". Business Recorder. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  9. "I've always been very opinionated and staunch with my words: Zara Noor Abbas | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  10. "'Asad and I discovered new sides of each other': Zara Noor Abbas on working with her husband". Something Haute. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  11. "Zara Noor Abbas tells women to realise their self worth on Women's Day". Daily Times. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  12. "Dharkan: Romance that everyone yearns to watch - Daily Times". Daily Times. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  13. "My first marriage was for all the wrong reasons: Zara Noor Abbas". The Express Tribune. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  14. "Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  15. "Exciting: Hum Awards has revealed their viewers choice nominations list". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  16. Desk, Instep. "Top rated TV plays currently on air". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  17. "Zara Noor Abbas targets on-screen portrayal of women in new Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  18. "Zara Noor Abbas: Know your self-worth and remind yourself of who you are". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  19. Instep (27 January 2019). "In conversation with Zara Noor Abbas". TNS - The News on Sunday. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  20. Haq, Irfan Ul (30 April 2018). "Shaz Khan and Zara Noor Abbas are set to star in upcoming drama Lamhe". Dawn. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  21. "Zara Noor Abbas is the only thing that makes Lamhay worth watching". Something Haute. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  22. Shabbir, Buraq. "Qaid is about juvenile obsession, says Zara Noor Abbas". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  23. "Zara Noor Abbas to make film debut alongside Mahira Khan in 'Parey Hat Lav'". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  24. Haq, Irfan Ul (30 March 2018). "Zara Noor Abbas will make her film debut with Mahira Khan-starrer Paray Hat Love". Images. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  25. Rehman, Maliha (18 December 2018). "Parey Hut Love's shoot concludes with a star-studded wrap-up party". Dawn. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  26. "Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Zara Noor Abbas to star in Asim Raza's next". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  27. "Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  28. NewsBytes. "Zara Noor Abbas and Asad Siddiqui will feature in Wajahat Rauf's next". The News International. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  29. "Zara Noor Abbas' character in 'Chhalawa' is like a breath of fresh air". Daily Times. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  30. "Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  31. "Third installment of 'Karachi Se Lahore' in the works". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  32. "This couple is breaking wedding stereotypes!". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  33. "Congratulations: Zara Noor Abbas has gotten engaged to Asad Siddiqui!". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  34. "Zara Noor Abbas shared a picture with husband Asad Siddiqui 'too vile' for Internet". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  35. NewsBytes. "Wajahat Rauf unveils title of his Eid ul Fitr release, Chhalawa". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  36. Khan, Saira (16 August 2019). "Asma Abbas and Bushra Ansari To Play Sisters On Screen In New Drama". HIP. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  37. Staff, Images (25 July 2019). "Body-shaming has never stopped Zara Noor Abbas from being who she is". Images. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  38. "My talent isn't going to suffer because of what size I am: Zara Noor Abbas". The Nation. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  39. TEDx Talks, "Power of a single decision | Zara Noor Abbas", TED, retrieved 22 December 2018
  40. Staff, Images (12 April 2018). "Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week". DAWN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  41. Staff, Images (14 April 2018). "Areeba Habib apologises to Zara Noor Abbas for mocking her runway walk". DAWN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  42. "Zara Noor Abbas's runway walk, and the case of the mocking trolls". Daily Times. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  43. "Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  44. Staff, Images (12 April 2018). "Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week". Dawn. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  45. "Zara Noor Abbas joins hands with UNHCR to empower refugees | Samaa Digital". Samaa TV. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  46. "The first Pakistan International Screen Awards held in UAE". Daily Times. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  47. Tribune.com.pk (4 March 2020). "Fawad Khan to star opposite Zara Noor Abbas, Sanam Saeed in upcoming film". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  48. Tribune.com.pk (21 May 2020). "Actors unite for 'Ye Watan Tumhara Hai' rendition, paying tribute to unsung heroes". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  49. Ye Watan Tumhara Hai | Shany ft Pakistani Actors and Actresses #TumSeHaiYehWatan, retrieved 23 May 2020
  50. Staff, Images (24 December 2019). "Nominations for the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards are out". Images. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  51. Staff, Images (24 December 2019). "Nominations for the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards are out". Images. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
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