Zara Noor Abbas
Zara Noor Abbas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zara Noor Abbas Gill 13 March 1991 |
| Education | Beaconhouse National University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Mother | Asma Abbas |
| Relatives | Ahmad Bashir (grandfather) Parveen Atif (grand-aunt) Bushra Ansari (aunt) Neelam Bashir (aunt) Sumbul Shahid (aunt) |
Zara Noor Abbas Gill (Urdu: زارا نور عباس; born 13 March 1991), also known by her married name Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui, is a Pakistani actress and model.[1] She is known for her role as Arsala in the television series Khamoshi (2017), Ehd-e-Wafa (2019), and Phaans (2021). In 2019, she made her film debut with the romantic comedy Chhalawa, and also featured in Parey Hut Luv (2019).[2][3]
Early life
Abbas was born on 13 March 1991 in Lahore, Punjab.[4] She is the daughter of actress Asma Abbas, niece of Bushra Ansari and Sumbul Shahid and maternal granddaughter of Ahmad Bashir. She is from a Punjabi background.[5][6][2]
Career
A graduate of Beaconhouse National University, Abbas has studied film design, dancing, theatre and filmmaking as an optional subject.[7] After participating in various plays and dance competitions, she made her television debut in the Fahim Burney-directed 2016 series Dharkan, where she played the lead character of Areen opposite Adeel Chaudhary and Ghana Ali.[8][6] The series ran for 18 episodes and aired weekly.[9][10] 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".[9]
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.[2][11] Upon release, Khamoshi has become one of the most watched drama series of 2017 and also nominated for Best Drama Serial category at annual Hum Awards.[12][13][14] Her on-screen chemistry with Bilal Khan was praised.[15] According to Buraq Shabbir of The News International, the series turned out to be a game changer for her.[16] 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".[6]
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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20][21] The film was released in August 2019.[22][23] In the same year, she was signed to Wajahat Rauf's comedy-drama Chhalawa opposite Mehwish Hayat and Azfar Rehman.[24] She was paired with her husband Asad Siddiqui in the project.[25][26] Both films performed well at the box-office.[27] 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).[28]
Advocacy
Abbas frequently criticises body shaming in the media industry.[29][30] In June 2018, Abbas delivered a speech on "Power of a Single Decision" at Government College University in Lahore organized by TED Talk.[31][10] She appeared for FnkAsia at Fashion Pakistan Week.[32][33][34][35][36] In November 2019, Abbas joined hands with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to empower refugees in Pakistan and across the world.[37]
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 Nikah ceremony was held in Karachi, Pakistan. This was second marriage for both Zara and Asad.[38][39][40] They later worked together in the feature film Chhalawa and drama Zebaish.[41][42] They have one daughter.[43]
Filmography
Films
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Chhalawa | Haya Rafaqat | Wajahat Rauf | ||
| Parey Hut Love | Shabbo | Asim Raza | [44] | ||
| TBA | Aan † | TBA | Haseeb Hassan | Filming | [45] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Network | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Dharkan | Areen | Fahim Burney | Hum TV | Debut | |
| 2017 | Khamoshi | Arsala | Ilyas Kashmiri | |||
| 2018 | Lamhay | Aleena | Amna Nawaz Khan | |||
| Qaid | Rehaam | Mohsin Ali | Geo Entertainment | |||
| 2019 | Ehd-e-Wafa | Rani | Saife Hassan | Hum TV | ||
| Deewar-e-Shab | Feroza Jahan | Iqbal Hussain | Episodic Appearance | |||
| 2020 | Zebaish | Noushaba (Noshi) | ||||
| 2021 | Phaans | Zeba | Ahmad Kamran | |||
| 2022 | Badshah Begum | Jahan Ara | Khizer Idrees | |||
| 2023 | Jhoom | Dr. Maryam Iqram | Ali Faizan | Geo Entertainment | ||
| 2024 | Standup Girl | Zara Ahmed | Kashif Nisar | Green Entertainment | ||
| 2025 | Ek Jhooti Kahani | Bushra | Shehrazade Sheikh | Hum TV | ||
| Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi | Ramsha | Adnan Sarwar | Express Entertainment | [46] |
Television films
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dil Tera Hogaya | Roma | Geo Entertainment | Aehsun Talish | |
| 2022 | Love Life Ka Law | Maya | Ali Faizan Anchan |
Discography
| Year | Title | Co-singer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Ye Watan Tumhara Hai" | Various | [47][48] |
| 2021 | "Marjaavan" | Shani Haider | [49] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1st Pakistan International Screen Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Chhalawa | Nominated | |
| Parey Hut Love | Won | [50] | |||
| 2022 | 8th Hum Awards | Best Actress - Jury | Phaans | Nominated | [51] |
| Best Actress - Popular | Nominated | ||||
| 2026 | 3rd Pakistan International Screen Awards | Best TV Actress (Critics' Choice) | Standup Girl | Nominated | [52] |
References
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas opens up about industry friendships, personal growth, and where things stand with Sajal Aly". Images. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "Happy Birthday to the gorgeous diva Zara Noor Abbas". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas celebrates 28th birthday with an intimate house party". DAWN. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ Images Staff (13 March 2019). "Zara Noor Abbas celebrates 28th birthday with an intimate house party". DAWN. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ says, Abdul salam (21 April 2018). "Pakistani mother-daughter celebrities who are too good to be ignored". Business Recorder. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas tells women to realise their self worth on Women's Day". Daily Times. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Dharkan: Romance that everyone yearns to watch - Daily Times". Daily Times. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ a b "My first marriage was for all the wrong reasons: Zara Noor Abbas". The Express Tribune. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Exciting: Hum Awards has revealed their viewers choice nominations list". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Top rated TV plays currently on air". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas targets on-screen portrayal of women in new Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas: Know your self-worth and remind yourself of who you are". Daily Pakistan Global. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ Instep (27 January 2019). "In conversation with Zara Noor Abbas". TNS - The News on Sunday. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas is the only thing that makes Lamhay worth watching". Something Haute. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ Shabbir, Buraq. "Qaid is about juvenile obsession, says Zara Noor Abbas". The News International. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas to make film debut alongside Mahira Khan in 'Parey Hat Lav'". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rehman, Maliha (18 December 2018). "Parey Hut Love's shoot concludes with a star-studded wrap-up party". Dawn. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Zara Noor Abbas to star in Asim Raza's next". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Zara Noor Abbas and Asad Siddiqui will feature in Wajahat Rauf's next". The News International. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas' character in 'Chhalawa' is like a breath of fresh air". Daily Times. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Third installment of 'Karachi Se Lahore' in the works". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ Images Staff (25 July 2019). "Body-shaming has never stopped Zara Noor Abbas from being who she is". Images. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ TEDx Talks, "Power of a single decision | Zara Noor Abbas", TED, retrieved 22 December 2018
- ^ Images Staff (12 April 2018). "Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week". DAWN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ Images Staff (14 April 2018). "Areeba Habib apologises to Zara Noor Abbas for mocking her runway walk". DAWN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas's runway walk, and the case of the mocking trolls". Daily Times. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post". The News International. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ Images Staff (12 April 2018). "Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week". Dawn. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas joins hands with UNHCR to empower refugees | Samaa Digital". Samaa TV. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "This couple is breaking wedding stereotypes!". Daily Pakistan Global. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Congratulations: Zara Noor Abbas has gotten engaged to Asad Siddiqui!". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas shared a picture with husband Asad Siddiqui 'too vile' for Internet". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Wajahat Rauf unveils title of his Eid ul Fitr release, Chhalawa". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Khan, Saira (16 August 2019). "Asma Abbas and Bushra Ansari To Play Sisters On Screen In New Drama". HIP. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ "Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui welcome their first baby". Geo News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "The first Pakistan International Screen Awards held in UAE". Daily Times. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ News Desk (18 September 2025). "Zahid Ahmed & Zara Noor Abbas Upcoming Drama – Dil Dhoondta Hai Phir Wohi". Brides & You. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ye Watan Tumhara Hai | Shany ft Pakistani Actors and Actresses #TumSeHaiYehWatan, retrieved 23 May 2020
- ^ "Kashmir Beats – Zara Noor Abbas's Marjaavan wins the internet". Daily Pakistan Global. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ |Images Staff (24 December 2019). "Nominations for the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards are out". Images. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "8th Hum Awards 2022 Nominations List, Tickets, Location". ShowbizHut. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 17 February 2026.