Neelofar Abbasi (née Aleem) is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in dramas ''Happy Eid Mubarak'', ''Khumaar Zeher Alood'', ''

Aroosa Aroosa ( ur, , lit=Bride) is a 1994 Pakistani television series that aired on PTV written by Fatima Surayya Bajia based on the novel ''Aroosa'' which was written by Zubaida Khatoon and directed by Qasim Jalali. It was the debut serial of Adnan S ...

'', ''Naya Raasta'' and ''Eid Ka Jora''. Neelofar is best known for her role in drama ''

Shehzori ''Shehzori'' (Urdu: شہزوری) is a Pakistani Urdu-language television series that aired in 1974. It was the debut serial of Haseena Moin, who later went on to become the most famous and successful drama writer of Pakistan, and to this day n ...

'' as Tara.

Early life

Neelofar was born on 1955, August 9th in

Karachi Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former cap ...

, Pakistan. Neelofar was interested in arts and literature from a young age. Neelofar's father Aleemuddin was a writer for newspapers and her mother Noon was a radio artist. In first grade she used to read

Shaukat Siddiqui Shaukat Siddiqi ( ur, شوکت صدیقی; 20 March 1923 – 18 December 2006) was a Pakistani writer of fiction who wrote in Urdu language. He is best known for his novels '' Khuda Ki Basti'' (''God's Village'') and '' Jangloos''. Early ...

's books including the famous book Khuda Ki Basti and soon after she began to read books of

Krishan Chander Krishan Chander (23 November 1914 – 8 March 1977) was an Indian Urdu and Hindi writer of short stories and novels. Some of his works have also been translated in English. He was a prolific writer, penning over 20 novels, 30 collections o ...

and

Ismat Chughtai Ismat Chughtai (21 August 1915 – 24 October 1991) was an Indian Urdu novelist, short story writer, liberal humanist and filmmaker. Beginning in the 1930s, she wrote extensively on themes including female sexuality and femininity, middle-class ...

. Neelofar got interested in Radio Shows and wanted to host her own shows. Neelofar's mother was a radio artist tried to enter into Radio through her mother but her mother opposed it and wanted Neelofar to give audition. Neelofar studied science subjects at D.J Science college and went to University of Karachi there she completed her studies from University of Karachi and graduated with masters in mircrobiology.

Career

Neelofar was fourteen and she was taking a class of Hashim Jalali the elder brother of Qasim Jalil, he realized her potential towards radio and acting. He encouraged Neelofar towards radio and he insisted Neelofar to audition for a Radio Show. Neelofar didn't want to miss her chance and she auditioned for the position for which she was selected by the judges. Neelofar first drama was on Radio. Neelofar was in school and also doing radio work at that time she got inspired by radio artists Talat Hussain and

Sajida Syed Sajida Syed is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in dramas ''Mere Khudaya'', '' Darr Khuda Say'', ''Khaas'', ''Ab Dekh Khuda Kya Karta Hai'', '' Saas Bahu'', ''Jalan'' and ''Munafiq''. Early life Sajida was born on November 4, 1960 ...

. Then Neelofar did Radio for Karachi and stage plays which were written by her parents. While still in College Neelofar did an audition for ''Jashn-e-talaba'' and she was selected by the judges and earned her a fame there radio director Yawar Mehdi trained Neelofar on various radio programs, including voiceover. Neelofar was noted for friendly face, appearances and highly refined etiquette. In 1970 Neelofar was awarded ''Tyfon Award'' by cricketer

Hanif Mohammad Hanif Mohammad PP ( ur, , 21 December 1934 – 11 August 2016) was a Pakistani cricketer. He played for the Pakistani cricket team in 55 Test matches between the 1952–53 season and the 1969–70 season. He averaged 43.98 scoring twelve ...

for her contribution towards radio and television. During 1970s Neelofar begin to host Subah-e-Nau a Daily Morning Show on Radio Pakistan, she interviewed various actors and singers including

Jamiluddin Aali Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmed Khan PP, HI (20 January 1925 – 23 November 2015), also known as Jamiluddin Aali or Aaliji, was a Pakistani poet, critic, playwright, essayist, columnist, and scholar. Early life and career Nawabzada Mir ...

and

Nanha Rafi Khawar ( Punjabi, ur, رفیع خاور) (4 August 1942 – 2 June 1986), popularly known as Nanha (Urdu: ننھا), was a Pakistani actor and comedian. He started his film career in 1966 and earned several awards including 3 Nigar ...

the show was a success and ran for almost two decades from 1970s to 1980s. In 1974 Neelofar became popular when she portrayed the role of Tara in drama ''

'' which was written by

Haseena Moin Haseena Moin (20 November 1941 – 26 March 2021) was a Pakistani dramatist, playwright and scriptwriter. She wrote several plays for stage, radio, and television. She was the recipient of the Pride of Performance award for her services to the ...

. Neelofar's acting was praised by actor

Shakeel Yousuf Kamal (born 29 May 1938), better known as Shakeel Yousuf, is a Pakistani actor best known for his roles in PTV drama serial Uncle Urfi (1972), as 'Mehboob Ahmed' in PTV's Aangan Terha (1984) and as ''Taimoor Ahmad'' in Ankahi (1982). H ...

with whom she worked in many dramas. The role of Tara was breakthrough for Neelofar and she became popular in the country and that attracted the attention of politician

Nusrat Bhutto ''Begum'' Nusrat Bhutto (; sd, نصرت ڀٽو; ur, ; born as Nusrat Ispahani; 23 March 1929 – 23 October 2011) was an Iranian-Pakistani public figure of Kurdish origin, who served as spouse of the Prime Minister of Pakistan between 1971 unti ...

who loved Neelofar's acting in ''

'' and became fond of Neelofar. In 1991 Neelofar left acting for a brief time and she moved abroad to

America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

with her husband Qamar. There she began to write for ''Good Morning Pakistan''. In 1992 she returned to acting and appeared in some dramas and in 1994 she appeared in drama ''

'' which was written by

Fatima Surayya Bajia Fatima Surayya Bajia (; 1 September 1930 – 10 February 2016) was an Urdu novelist, playwright and drama writer from Pakistan. She was awarded various awards at home and abroad including Japan's highest civil award in recognition of her works. ...

on PTV. In 2014 she appeared in drama '' Jackson Heights'' on

Urdu 1 Urdu 1 ( ur, ) is a 24-hour Urdu language television network, owned by Alliance Media FZ LLC, which is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The channel's transmission became available in Pakistan on 12 June 2012, with regular transmission begi ...

and the same year she got ''Lifetime Achievement Award'' by

Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi is a council for the promotion of arts and culture in Pakistan, and one of the busiest in terms of organizing events. It is the country's oldest NGO (non-government organization) for the promotion and develop ...

for her contribution towards the television industry. The following year in 2015 Neelofar received the ''Women of Inspiration Award'' from Minister

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Tariq Fazal Chaudhry (; born 7 June 1969) is a Pakistani politician who served as Cabinet Secretariat of Pakistan, Federal Minister for Capital Administration and Development, in Abbasi cabinet from August 2017 to May 2018. Previously he served ...

presented by Wonder Women Association of Pakistan for her contribution towards the radio and television industry.

Personal life

Neelofar married writer and producer Qamar Ali Abbasi in 1975 and

was a guest at their wedding. Later Nurast Bhutto invited Neelofar and her husband Qamar for dinner at the PM House. They had three children a son named Wajahat and two daughters named Maria and Sobia. Qamar Abbasi died in June 1, 2013.

Filmography

Television

Telefilm

Awards and recognition

Bibliography

Neelofar authored a critically book titled ''Kahi Ankahi'' also a memoir about her life and in memory of her parents. She wrote about her experience as a radio artist and television actress. Neelofar also wrote about actors and actresses with whom she had worked.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Abbasi, Neelofar 1955 births Living people 20th-century Pakistani actresses Pakistani television actresses 21st-century Pakistani actresses Pakistani film actresses