Ayesha Omar (Urdu: عائشہ عمر; born 12 October 1981) is a Pakistani actress. Considered a style icon in her home country, Omar is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in Pakistan.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Ayesha Omar | |
|---|---|
| عائشہ عمر | |
 Omar at an event for Ufone in 2011 | |
| Born | 12 October 1981[1] |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Education | Lahore Grammar School |
| Alma mater | National College of Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2000–present |
In 2012, she released her first singles "Chalte Chalte" and "Khamoshi" which, although a commercial success in Pakistan, was met with a mixed reaction from critics. Omar went on to win the Lux Style Award for Best Album.[11] 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).[12]
Early life and education
editOmar was born in Lahore.[13] She was one year old when her father died, so her mother raised Omar 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
editModeling
editOmar started her career as a model. She has done many commercials, including for Kurkure, Harpic, Capri, Pantene and Zong. Omar 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 attended the New York Fashion Week as Pakistan's representative for the beauty brand Maybelline New York.[17]
Acting
edit
Omar made her acting debut with the serial College Jeans, which aired on PTV. Following this, 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 has appeared on the popular sitcom Bulbulay as Khoobsurat, with actor Nabeel. Bulbulay become the most watched sitcom of Pakistan.[18] Following the success of Bulbulay, Omar received strong media coverage and became a household name.[19] Its second season currently airs on ARY Digital.[20]
Omar 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 an established actress through Pakistani television, Omar stepped into the film industry in the lead role of Wajahat Rauf's road drama film Karachi Se Lahore, in which she acted with Shehzad Sheikh. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics.[25][26] The Express Tribune criticized Omar's appearance in the movie and wrote: "There was barely anything for Ayesha Omar 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 was a box office success, with a total earning of 10 Crore (US$1.0 million) worldwide.
Omar 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 character of Zarmina. Dawn.com describes her character as, "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."[28] 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.[29][30]
In 2018, Omar made a special appearance in the film Saat Din Mohabbat In with Sheheryar Munawar, which was released in June 2018.[31] Speaking about the film in a press statement, Omar 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."[32] The film was a box office success.[33]
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."[34] The film emerged as a box office bomb.[35]
Music
editOmar first sang the song "Man Chala Hai" for her commercial Capri. She also sang the song "Bhooli Yaadon Mein", the title song of her serial Ladies Park and "Manjali", the title song of the Geo TV serial Manjali. She also sang the songs "Aoa" and "Tu Hi Hai".
In 2012, Omar released two albums "Chalte Chalte" and "Khamoshi" for which she won the Lux Style Award for Best Album. In 2013, she released her third album "Gimme Gimme". She also recorded an old classical song named "Laage Re Nain" and another fusion song "Miyan Ki Malhar" for Coke Studio Pakistan (Season 6) during the same year.
Painting
editA Fine Arts graduate from NCA, she said that, even before acting and modelling, painting and singing were her first passions and career choices.[36]
Personal life
editIn December 2015, Ayesha Omar and her co-star Azfar Rehman met with a road accident. The actors were reportedly travelling from Karachi to Hyderabad when the accident occurred.[37] 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 her injuries, Omar said: "My entire life flashed in front of my eyes as I held onto my seat waiting to be hit by a truck."[38]
In a 2020 interview with Ahsan Khan on his show Bol Nights with Ahsan Khan, Omar 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."[39]
Filmography
edit| Key | |
| † | Denotes film/drama that has not released yet |
Film
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Love Mein Ghum | Herself | Special appearance in song "Love Mein Ghum" |
| 2013 | Main Hoon Shahid Afridi | Special appearance in song "Beautiful Night" | |
| 2015 | Karachi se Lahore | Maryam | Also playback singer for "Tutti Fruiti" |
| 2017 | Yalghaar | Zarmina | |
| 2018 | Saat Din Mohabbat In | Tipu's unnamed partner | Special appearance[40][41] |
| 2019 | Kaaf Kangana | Gulnaz | [42][43] |
| 2022 | Rehbra | Bubbly | [44][45] |
| 2023 | Money Back Guarantee | Meena Begum | [46][47]
Toggle the table of contents |
| Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of A Serial Killer | Zara | ||
| Dhai Chaal | Kanwal | [48] | |
| 2024 | Taxali Gate | Muskaan | Also producer[49] |
Television
edit| Year | Serial | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Kollege Jeans[50] | Sabahat | |
| 2001 | Kaun (Psycho Thriller) | Sania | Appeared in Episode 2 & 6 |
| 2006 | Kuch Lamhe Zindagi Kay | Mishi | |
| Muthi Bhar Aasman | |||
| 2009–2017, 2018 | Bulbulay | Khoobsurat | ARY Digital, then on BOL Entertainment |
| 2009 | Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan | Herself | Special appearance |
| 2010 | Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat | Sila | |
| 2011 | Ladies Park | Natasha | |
| 2012 | Dil Ko Manana Aya Nahi | Noor | |
| Woh Chaar | Meher | ||
| Zindagi Gulzar Hai | Sara | ||
| 2013 | Tanhai | Arzoo | |
| 2014 | Soha Aur Savera | Soha | |
| Meri Guriya | Qurat-ul-Ain | Telefilm | |
| 2015 | Mr. Shamim | Sidra Niazi | |
| Miss You Kabhi Kabhi | Noor Hassan | ||
| 2016 | Mera Dard Bayzuba | Soha | |
| Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain 2 | Sara | Episode 2[51] | |
| 2019 | Phir Bulbulay | Khoobsurat | |
| 2019–present | Bulbulay (season 2) | Khoobsurat | [52] |
| 2021 | Bisaat | Sofia | [53] |
| 2022 | Habs | Soha | |
| 2022–present | Selahaddin Eyyubi | Not known |
Reality shows
edit| Year | Serial | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2003 | Meray Bachpan Kay Din | Host | PTV |
| 2005–2006 | Rhythm | Prime TV | |
| 2010–2011 | Yeh Waqt Hai Mera | CNBC Pakistan | |
| 2012–2012 | Hot Chocolate | ARY Zauq | |
| 2016 | Battle of the Bands | Various |
Discography
edit| Year | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 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
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Style Awards | ||||
| 2008 | Kaisa Yeh Junoon | Best Television Actress (Satellite) | Nominated | [54] |
| 2013 | Khamoshi | Best Album of the Year | Won | [55] |
| ARY Film Awards | ||||
| 2016 | Karachi Se Lahore | ARY Film Award for Best Actress | Nominated | [56] |
| ARY Film Award for Best Star Debut Female | Won | |||
| International Pakistan Prestige Awards | ||||
| 2017 | Style Icon of the Year Female | Won | [57] [58] | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ayesha Omar's 'girly' 40th birthday celebration gives rise to ageist remarks". 24 News HD. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Top 10 Highest Paid Pakistani Actresses/Models 2019 | BestStylo.com". Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Bulbulay Cast & Crew". TV.com.pk. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ^ "Ladies Park Cast & Crew". Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ^ "Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2012–2013) Series Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ^ "Dil Apna Preet Parai Urdu 1 Drama Serial". TV.com.pk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 10 Pakistani Actresses and Female Models 2016". Super Web Portal. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Ayesha Omer on style". Daily Times. n.d. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Pakistani films successfully attracting people towards cinemas: Ayesha – Entertainment". Dunya News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "Style Icon: Ayesha Omar – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "Haters will always hate, says Ayesha Omar". The Express Tribune. Group work. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Yalghaar's new poster features Ayesha Umer in an intense look – Entertainment – Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar's Profile: From Host To highest Paid Celebrity". BOL News. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar – BOLD & BADASS | Cover Story – MAG THE WEEKLY". www.magtheweekly.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar – BOLD & BADASS | Cover Story – MAG THE WEEKLY". www.magtheweekly.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Style Icon: Ayesha Omar". The Express Tribune. Sidrah Moiz Khan. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar to attend New York Fashion Week". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ Abdurab, Adi (8 September 2014). "Is 'Bulbulay' bad for comedy?". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ Khalid, Eefa (4 April 2011). "Bulbulay: A slapstick comedy". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "'Bulbulay' to return with a brand new season on Eid". Daily Times. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Mishra, Rashmi (16 July 2014). "Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Top 7 reasons why this Pakistani serial is a big hit!". India.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ ""I can't believe a tiny clip could make people so judgemental." — Ayesha Omar | TNS – The News on Sunday". The News International. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "Overnights: 'Tanhai' on Hum TV leads Saturday UK ratings". BizAsia | Media, Entertainment, Showbiz, Events and Music. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "Full Biography of Ayesha Omer". 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Karachi se Lahore: A one-man show of hilarity". Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "'Karachi Se Lahore': a long but uneventful journey – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "'Karachi Se Lahore': a long but uneventful journey – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ Talat, Faraz (28 June 2017). "Patriotism isn't enough to save Yalghaar from its weak plot". Images. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Yalghaar fared better than Mehrunisa V Lub U over Eid, say cinema owners". Images. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ ""پنجاب نہیں جاؤں گی" رواں سال کی کامیاب فلم قرار". Dunya Urdu. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Ayesha Omar joins the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". The News International. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Ayesha Omar joins the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "'7 Din Mohabbat In' rules box office". The Nation. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "I finally watched Kaaf Kangana and instantly wished I hadn't". Images. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- ^ "'Kaaf Kangana' and 'Durj' turn out to be box office disappointments". The Express Tribune. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Saadia Qamar (30 November 2010), "Ayesha Omar: The adorable, ambitious artist", The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar, Azfar Rehman injured in car accident near Karachi – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "A brush with death: Ayesha Omar, Azfar Rehman recount horrific car crash – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ "#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.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Ayesha Omar joins the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar, Hina Dilpazeer join the cast of Saat Din Mohabbat In". Images. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ Sarym, Ahmed (11 April 2018). "Ayesha Omar's latest project Kaaf Kangana is an intense romance". Images. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Kaaf Kangana: Ayesha Omer Spills the Beans About Her Character in the Upcoming Film". 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar have signed a movie together". 18 November 2016.
- ^ ""I'm a lawyer by education but an actor by birth," says Sarish Khan, Miss Pakistan USA". 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Meet The Complete 28 Member Cast Of 'Money Back Guarantee' money back guarantee pakistani film". Galaxy Lollywood. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar shares BTS video of her dance performance in Money Back Guarantee". 8 April 2023.
This time around, Ayesha Omar, who has essayed the role of "Meena Begaum" has amped up the excitement of fans by sharing a glimpse of her thrilling performance on a song of the movie."
- ^ "Shamoon Abbasi is a RAW agent on a mission in Dhai Chaal's gritty teaser". Images. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Lahore, crime and suspense: filming wraps on Ayesha Omar's 'Taxali'". Business Recorder. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "6 Pakistani comedy shows that need to make a comeback". DAWN. 31 May 2015.
- ^ Khan, Saira (7 November 2016). "In Review: Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain disappoints". HIP. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- ^ Tribune.com.pk (19 April 2019). "Ayesha Omar confirms 'Bulbulay' to have new season". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- ^ "Ayesha Omar and Azfar Rehman to pair up for a drama serial". Daily Times. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "https://www.fashioncentral.pk/people-parties/events/celebrations/story-383-winners-announced-for-8th-lux-style-awards/ Archived 30 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine"
- ^ "https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125919/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/12-Aug-2014/nominees-announced-for-2014-lux-style-awards"
- ^ Rozina Bhutto (18 April 2016). "Who won what at the ARY Film Awards 2016". HIP. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
- ^ "International Pakistan Prestige Awards Nominations Revealed!". Brandsynario. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- ^ Iman Zia (18 September 2017). "Here's Why Every Pakistani Celebrity Is in London Right Now". MangoBaaz. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
External links
edit
- Ayesha Omar at IMDb