Samina Ahmad

Samina Ahmad (born 20 March 1950) is a Pakistani film and television actress, stage performer, producer, and director. She is one of the most popular actresses of her time and was one of the most successful actresses of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.^[1][2] A veteran television actress who has worked for over six decades in the Urdu entertainment industry, she was honoured with the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan in 2011.^[1]

Started her on-screen career in mid 1960s, Ahmad performed for many of PTV's most successful series, including Waris (1979), Aahat (1991), and Family Front (1997) for which she won PTV Award for Best Actress also. One of her most recent roles includes Geo TV's widely-popular four-part comedy series Kis Ki Aayegi Baraat (2009–2012) and Hum TV's acclaimed comedy drama series Suno Chanda (2018) and its sequel Suno Chanda 2 (2019).^[3][4] Ahmad further appeared in Marvel Cinematic Universe's Ms. Marvel (2022), marking her international debut.^[5]

She married for the second time with actor Manzar Sehbai in April 2020.^[1]

Early life

Ahmad was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on 20 March 1950.^[1] Her father was the Director of Forests in the West of Pakistan, and her mother was a housewife. Her father died in 1965, and her mother in 2018. She is the eldest of her five siblings. She has a Masters in Home Economics.^[1]

Career

Ahmad started her career with serious plays on Pakistan Television Corporation; and soon rose to prominence with her comedy plays like Akkar Bakkar, Taal Matol, Alif Noon, and Such Gup. In 1997, she had a major breakthrough in the popular sitcom Family Front.^[6] She had also worked at Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, as a Programme director for two decades. Despite her busy professional career, Samina Ahmed has also been an active member of the Women's Action Forum in Pakistan.^[4]

In 2001, she directed the sitcom Hoo Bahoo, written by Farooq Qaiser. The sitcom revolves the family politics among a couple and the wife's mother-in-law, played by Ahmad.^[7]

Ahmad was a programme director at Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore while also performing on television. In 1997, she launched her own television company, Samina Ahmad Productions, which produced the widely-popular TV drama Family Front.^[6][8]

Personal life

Ahmad was married to Pakistani filmmaker Fariduddin Ahmed, the son of veteran filmmaker W. Z. Ahmed. The couple has a son, and a daughter together. Fariduddin divorced her, a few years before his death in 1993.^[9] Ahmad married actor, Manzar Sehbai on 4 April 2020, in a private Nikah ceremony in Lahore.^[10]

Filmography

Film

Television

Telefilm

Web series

Awards and recognition

References

1. ^ Haroon Shuaib (27 April 2022). "Samina Ahmed: Interpreting Life and Drama". Youlin Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
2. ^ "عمران پیزادہ کے ساتھ شاندار ثمینہ احمد کا انٹرویو". TV Times Magazine
3. ^ Shabbir, Buraq. "Samina Ahmed on her role in Load Wedding". The News International newspaper. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
4. ^ MariaS (1 October 2012). "Famous TV actress of Pakistan: Samina Ahmed". Pakistan 360 degrees website. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
5. ^ "Samina Ahmed enters 'Ms Marvel' as Kamala Khan's Nani". The Express Tribune newspaper. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
6. ^ Zoya Anwer (29 May 2015). "6 Pakistani comedy shows that need to make a comeback". Dawn. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
7. ^ "'Comedy needs great seriousness'". The News International. 24 July 2001. Archived from the original on 12 September 2001.
8. ^ "Profile of Samina Ahmad". tv.com.pk website. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
9. ^ Shoaib Ahmed (17 April 2007). "W.Z. Ahmed passes away (Samina Ahmad first married Farid Ahmed, son of veteran film director W. Z. Ahmed)". Dawn newspaper. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
10. ^ "It's Never Too Late For 'Qubool Hai:' High Time To Accept Seniors In Love". Parhlo. 9 April 2020.
11. ^ Alan Goble. "Dukhtar (2014) film and Samina Ahmad (actress)". Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
12. ^ "'Khel Khel Mein' releasing on November 19". Daily Times. 30 October 2021.
13. ^ "The wait is over: Sakina Samo's 'Intezaar' will release in cinemas on August 19". The Express Tribune newspaper. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
14. ^ "Bol Meri Machli Episode, Bol Meri Machli Drama Cast, Bol Meri Machli Schedule, Bol Meri Machli OST"
15. ^ "Prime Time: Questioning your sanity (Review of Husn Ara Kaun)". Dawn newspaper. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
16. ^ Shabbir, Buraq. "Ahsan Khan on his next drama serial, Bandhay Ek Dor Se". The News International newspaper. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
17. ^ "Teasers and OST of Safar Tamam Hua starring Madiha Imam & Ali Rehman are out". Something Haute. 4 March 2021.
18. ^ "Saba Faisal, Samina Ahmed, Zara Noor team up for a project". Minute Mirror. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
19. ^ "Two new drama serials, 'Khush Naseebi' and 'Rang De', to premiere today on Geo". The News International. March 25, 2026.
20. ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards.". The Hot Spot Online Film Reviews website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
21. ^ "PTV World Awards", PTV (News), 3 April 2021, archived 2022-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 22 February 2022

External links

• Samina Ahmad at IMDb