Saba Qamar


Sabahat Qamar Zaman, known professionally as Saba Qamar, is a Pakistani actress and television presenter. Qamar has established a career in the Urdu television industry and is the recipient of [|several accolades], including four Lux Style Awards, a Hum Award, and a Filmfare Award nomination. The Government of Pakistan honoured her with two of the country's highest civilian honours, the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2012, and Pride of Performance in 2016 for her contribution to the field of arts.
The pre partition drama Dastaan proved to be Qamar's first success in which she played the parallel female lead, earning her the Pakistan Media Award, and starring roles in the drama Pani Jaisa Piyar and the socio drama Thakan established her as a leading actress in Urdu television. She earned wide critical praise for her portrayal of a manipulative and self-obsessed women in the 2011 romantic series Maat, a middle class girl in the 2011 series Jo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar Gaye, a character Sarwat in the 2012 telenovela Shehryar Shehzadi, as orphan in the 2013 drama Kaash Aisa Ho and liberal minded Zara in the 2014 series Izteraab. She received nomination for Best Actress at Hum Awards for her portrayal of Dania in Bunty I Love You and Farida in Digest Writer. Her performance as Fouzia Azeem in biographical drama Baaghi earned her Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress.
Qamar's first appearance in film came with the critically acclaimed Sarmad Khoosat-directed biographical film Manto, and had her first commercial success with the 2016 romantic comedy Lahore Se Aagey. Qamar subsequently received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a nouveau riche in her first Hindi film, the comedy drama Hindi Medium, which earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination and ranks among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. She went on to star in the 2018 romantic television films Moomal Rano and Dil Diyan Gallan. Besides acting, she worked as a host and comedian on the political satire Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain.

Early life

Qamar was born on 5 April 1984 into a Sindhi family in Hyderabad, Sindh. She lost her father at a very young age and spent most of her childhood in Gujranwala with her grandmother. She got her early education in Gujranwala, then moved to Lahore to pursue further studies. Her family is settled in Karachi. She is reluctant to discuss her personal life in the media.

Career

Debut in television and early work (2004–2010)

Qamar appeared in the PTV Home television series Mein Aurat Hoon. The series was shot in Lahore, and was followed by several classic PTV series including Chaap, Dhoop Mein Andhera Hai, Kanpur Se Katas Tak, and Unbiyaanable . In 2007, Qamar appeared in ATV's Khuda Gawah which was the remake of 1992 Indian film of the same name, and the biographical drama Jinnah Ke Naam, which was the production of PTV Home in the direction of Tariq Mairaj. She has played the role of Fatima Jinnah and the series was a tribute to the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Though the series failed commercially, Qamar received a nomination for Best TV Actress at the Lux Style Awards. In an earlier interview with The Express Tribune, Qamar confessed, “For me, acting is being able to express the feelings, emotions and expressions of different people and characters”.

Establishing with ''Dastaan'' and professional expansion (2010–15)

In 2010, she appeared in a supporting role of Surraya in Hum TV's pre partition television series Dastaan, an adaptation of Razia Butt's novel Bano. She was seen opposite Ahsan Khan, Sanam Baloch and Fawad Khan. Series proved to be the break-through for her and she won the Best TV Actress trophy at the Pakistan Media Awards. She won the PTV Awards for the best TV actress in both public and jury choice categories at the 16th Annual PTV awards, held on 23 July 2011 for her role in Tinkay.Tinkay also earned her a nomination for Best Television Actress at Lux Style Awards. This was followed by a supporting role in the PTV Home's social drama on women, Bint e Adam. Her role in the series was of a rich brat who falls for a boy from poor background, and marries him against her cruel father's wishes. Bint e Adam was a major critical and commercial hit, however, critics noted that her role was "limited" from an acting point of view. In the same year, she starred in Abrar-ul-Haq's music video "Boliyan".
Qamar then appeared in Sarmad Khoosat's romantic series Pani Jaisa Piyar, where she played the character of Sana who has been engaged to Adarsh, the son of her mother's best friend ever since she was a child. Adarsh, however, has been unaware of this engagement, as his parents thought that he needed to focus more on his education than wedding plans. It was followed by a role in PTV's Tera Pyar Nahi Bhoole. She was paired opposite Ahsan Khan in both the series. Both of which garnered her Lux Style Award nominations for Best Television Actress. Later she appeared in Maat where she played the role of selfish, self-obsessed Saman opposite Adnan Siddiqui and Aamina Sheikh. The series was critically and commercially hit and became the thirteen highest-rated Pakistani television series and also garnered her Pakistan Media Awards for Best Actress.
The following year, Qamar collaborated with Sami Khan in Geo TV's three projects Jo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar Gaye, Tere Ik Nazar and Main Chand Si. She has appeared in Ameen Iqbal's Thakan where she played the role of Sadaf who works extremely hard like a machine day and night to run her family but no one except her grandfather feels sympathy for her or even cares about her. It was followed by the leading roles in Amna Nawaz Khan's Na Kaho Tum Mere Nahi and Faiza Iftikhar's Yahan Pyar Nahin Hai. The later of which earned her a nomination for Best Actress at Hum Awards. She gained recognition for portraying a range of characters in the serials Shehryar Shehzadi, Kaash Aisa Ho, Sannata, and Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi, some of which garnered her several best actress nominations. Qamar won her first Hum Awards for the Best TV Actress for her role as Diana in Bunty I Love you, at the 3rd Hum Awards. That same year, Qamar worked in the television film Aina, opposite Faysal Qureshi. The film, a remake of the 1977 film of the same name, was well received by the audience and she was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Tarang Housefull Awards.
After two consecutive years of poorly received serials, Qamar's career prospects began to improve in 2014; she appeared in five projects: Jaanam, Bay Emaan Mohabbat, Bunty I Love You, Izteraab, and Digest Writer. The romantic drama Jaanam and the romance Bay Emaan Mohabbat earned little praise, but the family drama Bunty I love You was Qamar's first critical success since Maat. Directed by Siraj-ul-Haque, the series was generally well received. Reviewer from Daily Pakistan considered it along with Digest Writer as "one of the best performances of Qamar". The series received five nominations at Hum Awards including Qamar for best actress. She next appeared in Izteraab. Her performance as the working women did not go well and despite the strong cast, story, production house and promotions, the drama turned out to be a major critical and commercial Disaster.
Qamar appeared in three series in 2015. She first reunited with Muhammad Younis Butt and Fawad Wyne in the comedy series S.H.E where she played a role of lady S.H.O Bajirao Mastani. She then starred alongside Adeel Chaudhry in Fahim Burney's directorial Kaisay Tum Se Kahoon which tells the story of star-crossed lovers who are reincarnated. It is her third consecutive appearance in Momina Duraid's production. Series did not do well in terms of ratings but her performance was praised by some critics. The following year, Qamar collaborated with Mikaal Zulfiqar for the third time in Kashif Nisar's Sangat where she played a role of Aisha, a rape survivor who faced difficulties when her husband came to know that he was not the biological father of a daughter they have. The series earned her the nomination for Best Actress in both Jury and Popular categories at the Hum Awards.
Qamar then made her acting debut with a leading actress in the acclaimed biographical drama Manto. Directed by Sarmad Khoosat, the film was made on a big budget and performed poorly at the box office with a lifetime collection of Rs5.05 million, however it was critically praised and Qamar's portrayal of the singer Noor Jehan was well reveived by the critics, and earned her a nomination at the ARY Films Awards for Best Supporting Actress. The film was also adapted as a TV-series in 2017 titled Main Manto.

Experiment with unconventional roles (2016–present)

In 2016, Qamar played the role of a struggling actress in the period drama Mein Sitara, alongside Mekaal Zulfiqar and appeared as Mishal in Farooq Rind's Besharam opposite Zahid Ahmed. The later was a commercially and critically hit. Sadaf Haider of The Express Tribune praised her saying, “Qamar is in great form as Mishi and plays her with restraint and quiet power; a welcome relief from the wounded women she has played of late”. During the 16th Lux Style Awards, the series earned 5 nominations including Qamar for Best TV actress. She was also nominated for her projects Mein Sitara and Lahore Se Aagey in Best Actress category. Qamar next played a rockstar opposite Yasir Hussain, in the travel comedy Lahore Se Aagey. The film, a sequel to the comedy Karachi Se Lahore, ranks among the highest-grossing Pakistani films of all time with a worldwide grossing of Rs21.60 million. Later that year, she played a leading role in the psycho–thriller 8969, a critical and commercial failure.
Qamar was offered a Hindi film opposite Randeep Hooda, and supporting roles in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and Heroine, which she declined. After the 2016 Uri attack, relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated; the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association and the Film Producers Guild of India banned Pakistani artists from working in India until the situation normalised. The comedy-drama Hindi Medium, in which Qamar played the lead female role of Mita Batra, a nouveau riche opposite Irrfan Khan, marked her first project in the Hindi cinema. Critical reception of the film was positive. A reviewer for The Times of India wrote, "Saba, as the dominating wife is sheer delight onscreen". In a scathing review, Sreehari Nair of Rediff.com labelled the film "fascinatingly frustrating" and called Qamar "natural actress, sexual daring". The film earned over ₹334.36 million worldwide, a majority of which came from the Chinese box office. and China with a collection of ₹334.36 million. Qamar received several Best Female Debut and Best Actress awards and nominations at various award ceremonies, including a Best Actress nomination at Filmfare. Later that year, Qamar was declared as the top Bollywood debutante of 2017 by Eastern Eye.
In 2017, Qamar worked in the biographical drama series Baaghi, in the role of Pakistani controversial figure Qandeel Baloch. The series was a critical and commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Pakistani drama of 2017. Qamar's performance was widely praised by the critics and her portrayal of the actress and singer was applauded even before its release. Neeha of The Nation wrote, "Without a doubt, Qamar has done an outstanding job", whereas reviewer from The Express Tribune said she "slayed the social media star with such finesse". The series earned her a Lux Style Awards for Best Actress and IPPA Awards for Best Actress.
In 2018, Qamar appeared in three short films. She first paired with Ahsan Khan in Siraj-ul-Haque directorial Moomal Rano. The film was made as part of the Zeal For Unity initiative to bridge cultural barriers between India and Pakistan. It was critically praised and was nominated for Best film at the 2018 European festival. It was also released by digital platform Zee5. She then appeared in Fahim Burney's Dil Diyan Gallan, opposite Zahid Ahmed where she played the character of Raniya and Iss Dil Ki Essi Ki Tessi. The female centric Courtroom drama Cheekh in which Qamar played the role of Mannat earned her nomination for Best Actress at Pakistan International Screen Awards. Directed by filmmaker Badar Mehmood, it also starred Aijaz Aslam, Maira Khan, Ushna Shah, and Bilal Abbas. The serial depicted the sensitive subject of injustice towards a rape victim. Cheekh is regarded as Qamar's career-defining role.
Qamar will next collaborate with Sarmad Khoosat for film Kamli, and will also star in Saqib Khan's debut film, titled Ghabrana Nahi Hai.

In the media

In 2009, Qamar joined a political satire Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain as a host and presenter where she also did the Parody of politicians and actors. The show was extremely popular and was at the number one spot in ratings in Pakistan. She decided to quit the show and was replaced by Meera in 2013. In January 2018, she appeared in photoshoot for Mahid Khawar's creation "Padmavat" where she dressed up like Rani Padmavati. In May 2018, she showcased golden bridal couture for designer Nilofer Shahid. She was showstopper for Rimple and Harpreet Narula's first Pakistan show on ‘Shaan-E-Pakistan’. On 10 December 2018, she walked the ramp for designer Uzma Babar's collection Umsha on Bridal Couture Week. Qamar became the ambassador for a number of brands including Lux Pakistan, Sunsilk, Dalda, Ufone, and Tapal.
Qamar is considered one of the nation's most popular and highest-paid actresses. After the success of Mein Sitara and Hindi Medium, she was cited by critics as one of the finest actresses in Pakistan. Throughout her career, she has received several accolades including Lux Style Awards, Hum Awards, Pakistan Media Awards, PTV Awards and a Filmfare Awards nomination.
In 2012, Government of Pakistan honoured her with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, the fourth-highest decoration given to civilians in Pakistan based on their achievements. In 2016, she received Pride of Performance in recognition of meritorious work in the fields of arts.

Off-screen work

In addition to acting, Qamar has supported charitable organisations for various causes. She is involved with several humanitarian causes and is vocal about issues faced by women and children. In June 2018, she did a special appearance in Shuja Haider's music video "Jeevan Daan" to raised awareness against child abuse. The song was socially relevant and highlights issues concerning children and women. In August 2018, Qamar expressed in an interview, “I encourage and urge people to invest in good education as it will shape the future of our children and our society”. On Independence Day in 2018, Daily Times named Qamar "Pride of Pakistan".
In April 2020, she started her Youtube channel and released mini series Isolation based on the situation of Lockdown due to COVID-19. She further raised her hands for collecting COVID relief funds for poor minorities and transgender communities with Ali Zafar's charity trust "Ali Zafar Foundation". Qamar revealed thorugh her YouTube channel about her relationship in which she was engaged for eight years and parted ways with him. She described it as abusive relationship.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music video

Other appearances

Awards and nominations

YearContentAwardCategoryResult
2010Jinnah Ke NaamLux Style AwardsBest TV Actress
2011TinkayPTV AwardsBest Actress Jury
2011TinkayPTV AwardsBest Actress Viewers
2011TinkayLux Style AwardsBest TV Actress
2011DastaanPakistan Media AwardsBest Supporting Actress
2012Tera Pyar Nahi BhoolePTV AwardsBest Actress Jury
2012Tera Pyar Nahi BhoolePTV AwardsBest Actress Viewers
2012Tera Pyar Nahi BhooleLux Style AwardsBest TV Actress
2012Pani Jaisa PyarLux Style AwardsSatellite Best TV Actress
2013AinaTarang Housefull AwardsBest Actress
2013AinaTarang Housefull AwardsBest On Screen Couple
2013Yahan Pyar Nahin HaiHum AwardsBest Actress
2013MaatPakistan Media AwardsBest Actress
2013MaatHum AwardsBest Actress
2013MaatLux Style AwardsSatellite Best TV Actress
2014Ullu Baraye Farokht NahiHum AwardsBest Actress
2014Ullu Baraye Farokht NahiHum AwardsBest Actress Popular
2015SannataLux Style AwardsSatellite Best TV Actress
2015Bunty I Love YouHum AwardsBest Actress
2015Bunty I Love YouHum AwardsBest Actress Popular
2015Bunty I Love YouHum AwardsMost Impactful Character
2015Digest WriterHum AwardsBest Actress
2015Digest WriterHum AwardsBest Actress Popular
2016SangatHum AwardsBest Actress
2016SangatHum AwardsBest Actress Popular
2016MantoARY Film AwardsBest Supporting Actress
2016MantoGalaxy Lollywood AwardsBest Supporting Actress
2016Pride of PerformanceContribution to arts
2017Lahore Se AageyGalaxy Lollywood AwardsBest Actor in a Leading Role Female
2017Lahore Se AageyGalaxy Lollywood AwardsBest Dance Performance
2017Lahore Se AageyGalaxy Lollywood AwardsBest On Screen Couple
2017Lahore Se AageyLux Style AwardsBest Actress Film
2017Lahore Se AageyNigar AwardsBest Actress
2017Lahore Se AageyIPPA AwardsBest Actress film
2017Mein SitaraLux Style AwardsBest Television Actress
2017BesharamLux Style AwardsBest Television Actress
2017BesharamARY Viewers Choice AwardsBest Couple
2017BesharamARY Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress
2018Hindi MediumStar Screen AwardsMost Promising Newcomer - Female
2018Hindi MediumMasala! AwardsBreakthrough Performance of the Year
2018Hindi MediumFilmfare AwardsBest Actress
2018Hindi MediumBollywood Film Journalist's AwardsBest Female Debut
2018BaaghiLux Style AwardsBest TV Actress
2018BaaghiIPPA AwardsBest Actor Female Drama
2020CheekhPakistan International Screen AwardsBest Television Actress