Vaneeza Ahmad (Urdu: ونیزہ احمد; born 24 June 1971) is a Pakistani model and actress, and occasional singer. As a model she has seen success as the face of brands in Pakistan, and is the first Pakistani model to model for Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.[3][4][2][1]
Vaneeza Ahmed Ali | |
|---|---|
| ونیزہ احمد | |
 Vaneeza at an Event | |
| Born | Vaneeza Ahmed 24 June 1971 |
| Other names | Vinnie[1][2] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress and model |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Height | 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Spouse | Ali Afzal Malik (m. 2010) |
| Relatives | Bindiya (aunt) |
Biography
editEarly life
editAhmad reportedly said to news media that when she was a youngster, the college students those days mostly had three career options – medicine, engineering or teaching. Modelling as a career was not an option for girls back then.[2] Ahmad returned to Pakistan at the age of 18 to attend the Kinnaird College liberal arts university in Lahore[5] and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
While at University, Ahmad started to model casually.[5] Although not much interested in modelling as a career option, she received offers from various fashion designers, some of whom were notable in the Pakistani fashion industry[5] including the likes of fashion designer Nilofer Shahid.[1]
Modelling as a career
editWhen designer Nilofer Shahid approached Ahmad, she was unsure of which career to pursue and settled for fashion modeling. In dealings with corporate heads of the entertainment industry, her business acumen was similarly praised.[5]
Vaneeza, the brand
editAhmad conceived the brand name Vlawn[6] for her range of lawn fabrics. The collection consisted of nine different lawn prints created by designers that included Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. In March 2006, the collection sold-out in a series of exhibitions.[6] In 2011, she continued with her "VLawn" brand of women's lawn suits.[2]
Acting and acclaim
editAhmad made her acting debut in Jamal Shah's controversial saga Kal and has since acted in Marina Khan's Tum Hi Tau Ho, Janey Anjaney and Tum Say Mil Ker; Armaan; Khayal; and Talaash (Pakistani TV series). She played the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah's daughter Dina Wadia in Jamil Dehlavi's 1998 biographical film, Jinnah.[1]
On 16 April 2008, Vaneeza Ahmad was selected as one of the Olympic torch bearers when the torch arrived in Islamabad. She was one of the few selected celebrities[7] to hold the torch in the relay out of the chosen 66.[8]
Personal life
editShe married Islamabad-based businessman Ali Afzal Malik in July 2010 and has two daughters. She also runs her own side business.[3] Vaneeza's aunts Bindiya is an actress and Meena Pervaiz is a newscaster.[9][1]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Jinnah | Dina Jinnah | [1] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tum Se Mil Kar | PTV | [1] | ||
| 2000 | Tum Hi Tou Ho | PTV | ||
| 2002 | Tere Siwa | PTV & AAJ TV | ||
| 2002 | Phir Youn Love Hua | Indus Vision, PTV & AAJ TV | ||
| 2002 | Sirf Tumhare Liye | PTV | ||
| Suraj Girhan | PTV & AAJ TV | |||
| Zanjeer | PTV | |||
| 2001 | Chehrey | PTV | ||
| Achanak | ||||
| 2013 | Armaan | Nida | Geo TV | Television film |
| Aisa Bhi Hota Hai | PTV Home | |||
| Baaghi | ||||
| 2004 | Batain Dil Ki | PTV | ||
| Chahatein | ||||
| 2006–2014 | Criminal Minds: Beyond Boundaries | Agent Vinnie | ARY Digital, The Musik, CBS, Star Utsav and Star World India[citation needed] | Seasons 1–9 |
| (N/A) | Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders | CBS | ||
| 2003 | Jaane Anjaane | PTV | ||
| Jannat | PTV Home | |||
| 2008 | Khamoshiyan | Hum TV | [9][1] | |
| 2008 | Marina Mornings | ARY Digital | ||
| 2008 | Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai | TVOne Pakistan | ||
| 2009 | Nestlé Nido Young Stars | |||
| Na Jaane Keya Ho Gaya | PTV | |||
| 2005 | 1st Indus Drama Awards | Indus TV | ||
| 2006 | Na Tum Apnay Na Dil Mera | ARY Digital | Telefilm | |
| Pyar Ho Jaane Do | TVOne Pakistan | |||
| 2007 | Lux Style Awards | |||
| 2010 | No Reservations | Dawn News | ||
| Nadia Hussain lounge | AKS TV | |||
| 2011 | Jago Pakistan Jago | Hum TV | ||
| Morning With Hum | Hum TV | [9] | ||
| Spotlight | TVOne Pakistan | |||
| Aks | Express News | |||
| E-Tech | Express News | |||
| The Sahir Show | Geo TV | |||
| The Morning Show | Express 24/7 TV show | |||
| 2013 | Without Shepherds | Self | ||
| 2014 | Veet Miss Supermodel | Hum Sitaray and Hum TV | [9] | |
| Morning With Juggun | PTV Home | |||
| Mazaaq Raat | Dunya TV | |||
| 2nd Hum Awards | Hum TV | [9] | ||
| 2014–2018 | Tonite with HSY | Hum Sitaray and Hum TV | [9] | |
| 2015 | Weekend World | PTV World | ||
| Good Morning Pakistan | ARY Digital | |||
| The Celebrity Lounge | PTV Home | |||
| 2016 | Mehmaan Nawaaz | See TV | Episode 19 | |
| Ek Naya Subah With Farah Hussain | A-Plus TV | |||
| Samaa Kay Mehmaan | Samaa TV | |||
| Sunrise From Istanbul | See TV | |||
| 10 Years of Masala | Hum Masala | |||
| Eidi Sab Ke Liye | ARY Zindagi | |||
| 2017 | Miss Veet Pakistan | Hum TV and Hum Sitaray | ||
| Pakistan Ke Liye Geo | Geo TV | |||
| The Morning Show | ARY News | |||
| Breaking Weekend | ARY Zindagi | |||
| 2016–2017 | Salam Zindagi | ARY Zindagi | ||
| Pond's Miracle Journey | ||||
| 2018 | The After Moon Show | Hum TV | [9] | |
| 2018–2019 | Marham | Tajwar | BOL Network | |
| 2019 | Breakfeast @ Home | PTV Home | ||
| Star Iftar | Urdu 1 | |||
| G Kay Sang | GNN | |||
| 2019–2020 | Ehd-e-Wafa | Faryal; Saad's Mother | Hum TV | [10][1] |
| 2020 | Rising Pakistan | PTV Home | ||
| 2021 | 16 Years LIVE Telebrations | Hum TV | ||
| Hum Women Leaders Award | Hum TV | |||
| GMP Shan-e-Suhoor | ARY Digital | |||
| Girlee Talks With Huma | ||||
| GMP Eid Special | ARY Digital | |||
| NCIS: Los Angeles | CBS | |||
| S.W.A.T. | CBS | |||
| 2023 | Kuch Ankahi | Sofia Agha | ARY Digital | [11] |
| Subah Se Aagay | Guest | Hum News | ||
| 2024 | Hasna Mana Hai | Guest | Geo News |
TV commercials
edit- (1996) | "Aisa Asar Dekhai Ke Bahar Bhi Dhoke Khai | Tibet Snow
- (1997) | "Kyun Ke Yeh Dil Ka Mamla Hai" | Habib Oil
- (2000) | "The World's Best Materess" | Master Celeste
- Sab Say Ghara Doodh | Haleeb Milk
- Pepsi Diet | Pepsi
- Head & Shoulders
- (2001) | "Express Yourself" | Instaphone
- Lipton by Unilever
- (2006) | "Ramzan Mubarak" | Olpers
- (2006) | "50 Years" | LUX by Unilever
- (2007) | Brings People Closer | Indigo by Jazz Pakistan
- (2007) | Subah Bakhair Zindagi | Olpers
- (2008) Sunsilk by Unilever
- (2009) Dettol
- (2010) | "Ghee" | Kissan Oil
- (2011) | "Prints" | V Lawn
- (2016) | "Ghizayat Bhara Har Ghoont" | Olpers
- (2020) | "Khulay To Dil Khulay" | Coca-Cola
Other appearances
editReality Shows
editMusic videos
edit| Song title | Co-singer | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Spring Blossom" | 2007 | |
| "Yaad" | Shehzad Roy | 2005 |
| "Na Re Na" | Ali Azmat | 2003 |
| "Bulleya" | Junoon (band) | 1999 |
Accolades
edit| Ceremony | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Lux Style Awards[12] | Best Model of the Year (female) | Won |
| 4th Lux Style Awards[13] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Muhammad Asadullah (11 March 2020). "The undisputed supermodel – Vaneeza Ahmed, Pakistani model turned actress, speaks exclusively about her two-decade long journey and career". Gulf Times (newspaper). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d Amber Liaqat (9 February 2017). "All I see in models now are nakhray: Vaneeza Ahmed". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b Sheharyar Rizwan (8 February 2015). "Vaneeza Ahmad: Beauty and brains". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ Maliha Rehman (2 November 2014). "In Fashion: The affair of the 'Supermodel'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Page 3 Bollywood: Vaneeza Ahmad". WordPress. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Vaneeza: Biography". Archived from the original on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Sports Update: Pakistan torch bearers for Olympics named". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Olympic torch comes to Pakistan after 44 years". All Things Pakistan website. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hani Taha (12 May 2012). "Vaneeza Ahmed: Of nap times and nappy changes". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ Irfan-ul-Haq (19 September 2019). "Vaneeza Ahmed is playing Ahad Raza Mir's mother in Ehd-e-Wafa". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Villainising phupos, double standards and women rights: Vaneeza candidly pushes for change in dramas". Express Tribune. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "..::LUX Style Awards 2003::." 15 July 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ khan, Athar (14 October 2003). "LUX Style Awards for the year 2004". Rewaj | Women Lifestyle. Retrieved 26 March 2024.