Umera Ahmed Explained

Umera Ahmed
Birth Date:10 December 1976
Birth Place:Sialkot, Pakistan
Nationality:Pakistani
Alma Mater:Murray College
Occupation:Fiction writer, screenwriter

Umera Ahmed (Punjabi, Urdu: {{Nastaliq|عمیرہ احمد) is a Pakistani writer, author and screenwriter. She is best known for her novels and plays Shehr-e-Zaat, Pir-e-Kamil, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Alif, Durr-e-Shehwar, Daam, Man-o-Salwa, Qaid-e-Tanhai, Digest Writer, Maat, Kankar, Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Doraha and Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay. Umera Ahmed is one of the most widely-read and popular Urdu fiction novelists and screenplay writers of this era.[1] [2]

Personal life

Umera Ahmed was born on December 10, 1976, in Sialkot, Pakistan. She completed her master’sdegree in English Literature from Murray College, Sialkot, the same college that produced one of themost celebrated and gifted scholars and poets (in British held India) of 20th century, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.She enjoys a closely guarded private life and seldom gives interviews. Her only appearance onscreenwas on the stage of Indus Vision awards to collect her first Best Writer Award in 2005. Despite beingactive on social media, and involved in showbiz, she leads a private life.

Education

Umera completed her Master's in English literature from Murray College, Sialkot.[3] Umera has remained an English teacher at Army Public School, Sialkot, where she taught middle school and High school students. However, Umera wanted to pursue her writing career fulltime, so she quit her job as a teacher and started writing for Urdu magazines.

Career

Writing

Ahmed started writing at an early age. Her stories were often published in monthly Urdu Digest magazines. Soon she started publishing books as well. Umera has written more than 30 books in her career, some novels, and other compilations of short stories. Her most famous work, and the one that heightened her career was Peer-e-Kamil and Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishan. Amarbail is also one of the most famous novel of Umera Ahmed. Umera started her writing career in 1998 when she started publishing stories in the monthly Urdu magazines. Her first story written for the digest magazine was Zindagi Gulzar Hai.[4] The story captured the interest of readers and Umera was soon asked to write a full-length novel. She was 21 when she wrote the story. In 2012, the novel was serialized into a popular drama with the same name.[5] The drama starred Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan as the lead actors.[6] In an interview Umera said that the character of the lead female, Kashaf in the novel is based on her own character. Umera's stories often revolve around men-women relationships, societal issues and pressures.[7] Her stories depict women as the central theme.[8] [9] Ahmed is also the writer of many other novels that have been serialized into dramas. Her other popular works are Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan for which Ahmed has won the ‘Best Writer’ Award at the tenth Lux Style Awards.[10] The novel was also converted into a drama with the same name. The drama gained much popularity and in 2014, it was also aired in India under the name, Kesi Yeh Qayamat.

Ahmed has also written novels on religion and spirituality. Pir-e-Kamil (2004), Shehr-e-Zaat (2012) and Alif (2019),[11] are some of her novels that focus on spirituality.[12] Her novel Alif, was dramatized into a popular series that starred Hamza Ali Abbassi, Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan.[13] Shehr-e-zaat was also a popular drama starring Mahira Khan.[14] [15] Ahmed has written more than 35 books in her career. Over 22 of her books have been converted into drama series. Her books have also been translated into English and Arabic languages. Juggernaut books translated Ahmed's works into Hindi as well.[16]

Screenwriting

Many of Ahmed's novels have been created into drama series. However, Ahmed has also written stories specifically for dramas and movies. She has collaborated with the director Mehreen Jabbar to produce drama serials that have gained widespread popularity. Recently, she collaborated again to bring a web-series called Aik Jhooti Love Story.[17] [18] The series is a comedy revolving around a couple in Karachi.[19] [18] It stars Billal Abbas Khan and Madiha Imam as lead actors.[20] Aik Jhooti Love Story was released on 30 October 2020 and was launched on ZEE5; a digital entertainment platform.[21]

Ahmed also wrote a screenplay Baaghi, which is based on the late Pakistani model, Qandeel Baloch.[22] [23] The play starred Saba Qamar as the lead actress.[24] [25] [26] Ahmed has also worked on Netflix projects. Her recent work underway is a series about cyberbullying. The series revolves around a female detective investigating a crime. This was the first thriller series by Umera. In an interview Umera said, "This one comes straight from the heart, because I’ve seen so many people suffer because of it. I know how trolling can destroy lives!"[27]

Tumhare Husn ke Naam (2023) is another recent drama written by her in collaboration with Sara Qayyum. It is originally inspired by Hakeem Nayyar Wasty's novel Akhtar aur Salma (1930). Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas have played the lead roles in the drama.[28]

Alif Kitab

In 2016, Ahmed created Alif Kitab; a digital platform for budding writers to share their work and monetize it. The platform aims to provide editorial guidance to new writers by allowing them to interact with experts. The platform also allows them to submit their writings to media and production houses.[29] [30]

Awards and recognition

Lux Style Awards

Ceremony Category Project Result
10th Lux Style Awards[33] Best Television Writer Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan
11th Lux Style Awards[34] Uraanrowspan="4"
Qaid-e-Tanhai
12th Lux Style Awards[35] Maat
13th Lux Style Awards[36] Zindagi Gulzar Hai
20th Lux Style Awards[37] Alif

Selected work

Books

Dramas

Telefilms and web-series

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-01-26. DAWN. 10 iconic Pakistani TV dramas you should binge-watch this weekend. 21 October 2016 .
  2. Web site: 20 July 2016. 20 Pakistani TV dramas that you should watch if you haven't. Daily Times. 22 May 2021.
  3. Web site: Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. www.goodreads.com.
  4. Web site: 22 April 2019. Zindagi Gulzar Hai has the power to transform you. 2020-11-23. Daily Times. en-US.
  5. Web site: 3 November 2020. 'Zindagi Gulzar Hai' reflective of problems and prejudices young people face: Writer Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. The Indian Express. en.
  6. Web site: 3 November 2020. 'Zindagi Gulzar Hai' Reflective Of Problems And Prejudices Young People Face: Writer Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. News18. en.
  7. Web site: 23 September 2014. I give words to people's journeys: Writer Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. The Indian Express. en.
  8. Web site: Umera Ahmed: The Queen of TV Dramas – Hareem Zafar – Youlin Magazine. 2020-11-23. www.youlinmagazine.com. en.
  9. Web site: Saleem. Muhammad. 4 March 2020. 'AAN' Upcoming Blockbuster of Haseeb Hasan & Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. Daily The Azb. en-US.
  10. Web site: 5 July 2019. Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan is a tale of immense tragedy. 2020-11-23. Daily Times. en-US.
  11. Web site: Nayyar. Nasir Abbas. 22 September 2019. FICTION: A BULWARK AGAINST SECULAR ART. 2020-11-23. DAWN.COM. en.
  12. Web site: Haider. Sadaf. 17 March 2020. Alif is one of the most artistically pleasing dramas to grace our screens in years. 2020-11-23. Images. en.
  13. Web site: 20 April 2019. Umera Ahmed's much-anticipated novel 'Alif' is all set to release this month. 2020-11-23. Something Haute. en-US.
  14. Web site: 7 November 2012. Shehr-e-Zaat and its misplaced knowledge of Islam. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  15. Web site: 22 March 2019. Shehr-e-Zaat — a tale of obsession and pride. 2020-11-23. Daily Times. en-US.
  16. Web site: Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. HuffPost India. en.
  17. Web site: 14 October 2019. Umera Ahmed and Mehreen Jabbar re-unite for a web-series. 2020-11-23. Daily Times. en-US.
  18. Web site: NewsBytes. Mehreen Jabbar's web-series to be called Aik Jhooti Love Story. 2020-11-23. www.thenews.com.pk. en.
  19. Web site: 18 July 2020. Mehreen Jabbar & Umera Ahmed's Project 'Aik Jhooti Love Story' on ZEE5. 2020-11-23. FUCHSIA. en-US.
  20. Web site: Rehman. Maliha. 30 October 2020. Bilal Abbas, Madiha Imam's new webseries for Zee5 is not your average love story. 2020-11-23. Images. en.
  21. Web site: The lighter side of story telling Instep thenews.com.pk. 2020-11-23. www.thenews.com.pk. en.
  22. Web site: Hasan. Mehreen. 28 July 2017. Qandeel's family gave us complete creative liberty to tell this story, say Baaghi's writers. 2020-11-23. Images. en.
  23. Web site: 15 January 2018. Is 'Baaghi' a disservice to the real-life Qandeel Baloch?. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  24. Web site: 23 April 2019. Umera Ahmed's latest novel 'Alif' to release this month. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  25. Web site: Desk. Entertainment. 17 July 2014. Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Pakistani drama serials win hearts in India. 2020-11-23. DAWN.COM. en.
  26. Web site: 29 May 2018. Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan to star in 'Alif'. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  27. Web site: Umera Ahmed gets into crime thriller mode. 2020-11-23. gulfnews.com. 16 September 2019 . en.
  28. Web site: Trailer of Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas starrer 'Tumharey Husn Kay Naam' out now!. 2023-05-08. Daily Pakistan. 2024-06-26.
  29. Web site: 2 April 2016. Umera Ahmed to launch platform for commercial writers. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  30. Web site: Umera Ahmed to launch platform for commercial writers Pakistan Today. 2020-11-23. www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  31. Web site: 2021-01-26. Events in Karachi. Pakistan's 4th Media Award Winner List. 17 January 2014 .
  32. Web site: 2021-01-26. ww.web.pk. First Hum TV Awards Red Carpet : Winners List. 17 March 2013 .
  33. Web site: 2011-11-08 . Lux Style Awards 2011 Nominations Rewaj - All About Women Lifestyle . 2024-05-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111108022835/http://www.rewaj.com/fashion/lux-style-awards-2011-nominations.html . 8 November 2011 .
  34. Web site: 2011-08-26 . Lux Style Awards: A trip down memory lane . 2024-05-15 . The Express Tribune . en.
  35. Web site: 2017-01-18 . 12th Lux Style Awards 2013 Pictures and Winner's List DesiFreeTV.com . 2024-05-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170118100355/http://www.desifreetv.com/news/12th-lux-style-awards-2013-pictures-and-winners-list/ . 18 January 2017 .
  36. Web site: 2014-08-19 . Nominees announced for 2014 Lux Style Awards . 2024-05-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125919/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/12-Aug-2014/nominees-announced-for-2014-lux-style-awards . 19 August 2014 .
  37. Web site: 2021-10-10 . LSA 2021 winners: Bayaan and 'Pyaar Ke Sadqay' reign supreme . 2024-05-15 . The Express Tribune . en.
  38. Web site: 14 January 2013. Zindagi Gulzar hai: Liberating women in different ways. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  39. Web site: Zindagi Gulzar Hai. 2020-11-23. en-US.
  40. Web site: Isani. Aamna Haider. Alif and its message. 2020-11-23. www.thenews.com.pk. en.
  41. Web site: 24 October 2013. Kankar: Standing up for the abused woman. 2020-11-23. The Express Tribune. en.
  42. Web site: Zindagi Gulzar Hai . Netflix . December 2015 . 22 May 2019.
  43. Web site: Kankar: Standing up for the abused woman – The Express Tribune Blog . blogs.tribune.com.pk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131027011610/http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/19281/kankar-standing-up-for-the-abused-woman/ . 2013-10-27.
  44. News: Umera's endeavour to promote Urdu among children – Daily Times. 24 January 2018. Daily Times. 2018-10-01. en-US.
  45. News: Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan to star in 'Alif' – The Express Tribune. 29 May 2018. The Express Tribune. 29 May 2018.
  46. Web site: Umera Ahmed. 2020-11-23. IMDb.
  47. Web site: HumTv. Digest Writer.
  48. Web site: Jhoot. 2020-11-23. en-US.
  49. Web site: 12 November 2014. Maat HUM TV Serial HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online. 2020-11-23. en-US.
  50. News: If Baaghi is based on a true story then Qandeel Baloch did not deserve this. 4 February 2018. The Nation. 2018-07-04. en-US.
  51. Web site: 18 March 2014. Mohabbat Subh Ka Sitara Hai Episode 14 HUM TV Drama HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online. 2020-11-23. en-US.
  52. Web site: Mohabat Subh Ka Sitara Hai: From The Pens of Umera Ahmed. Hum TV. 12 December 2013. 10 January 2014.
  53. Web site: Mahira Khan returns to our television screens after five-year hiatus with Hum Kahan Kai Sachey Thay. 9 July 2021. DAWN IMAGES. 11 July 2021. Irfan Ul Haq.
  54. Web site: Usman Mukhtar to star opposite Mahira and Kubra in his next. 11 July 2021. Daily Times. 2021-07-11.
  55. Web site: 2021-10-15 . Saba Qamar announces Umera Ahmed's 'Serial Killer' . 2024-05-15 . The News International . en.
  56. Web site: BEHADD starring Nadia Jamil and Sajal Ali, alongside Fawad Khan will be coming on 8th June on HUM TV. . FUCHSIA weekly. 29 October 2014.
  57. Web site: Telefilm 'Laal' tugs at our heartstrings with its sheer brilliance. 31 March 2019. Daily Times. en-US. 2019-10-20.
  58. Web site: 30 June 2020. Nigar Johar promoted to Lieutenant General first female of Pakistan Army. 2020-06-30. EMEA Tribune. en-US.
  59. Web site: Aijaz. Rahul. In memorium: 'Ek Thi Marium' takes flight. The Express Tribune. 3 September 2016. 1 September 2016.
  60. Web site: Haseeb Hasan shares details on Dhoop Ki Deewar. September 2020.

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