Kubra Khan
{{short description| Pakistani born British actress (born 1993)}}
{{Distinguish|Kobra Khan}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kubra Khan
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Rabia Iqbal Khan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|6|16}}
| birth_place = Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, Pakistan
| citizenship = British, Pakistani{{cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1643611/4-ive-lost-will-going-bollywood-kubra-khan |last=Sarym |first=Ahmed |title=I've lost the will of going to Bollywood: Kubra Khan |date=24 February 2018 |newspaper=The Express Tribune |location=Karachi |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713204357/https://www.hum.tv/did-you-know-kubra-khan-was-offered-the-lead-role-in-verna/ |archive-date=13 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}
| other_names =
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2013–present
| height = 1.71m
| known_for =
| spouse = {{Marriage|Gohar Rasheed|2025}}
}}
Rabia Iqbal Khan ({{Langx|ur|{{nq|کبرٰی خان}}}}) known by her stage name Kubra Khan (born 16 June 1993), is a British-Pakistani actress who works in Urdu television and films. She made her debut in 2014 with the film Na Maloom Afraad. Khan is described among the nation's highest-paid actresses by the media.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/web-stories/entertainment/highest-paid-pakistani-actresses-kubra-khan-mehwish-hayat-mahira-khan-saba-qamar-hania-amir-1692720884774 |title=From Mahira Khan to Kubra Khan: Highest paid Pakistani actresses |work=DNA India |access-date=2022-11-22 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/web-stories/entertainment/9-highest-paid-pakistani-actresses-434133/ |title=Check out the list of the 9 Highest paid Pakistani actresses |work=News18 India |access-date=2022-12-21 |language=en-US}} oo
Khan has appeared in successful films such as Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Parwaaz Hai Junoon both (2018), and London Nahi Jaunga (2022).{{Cite news |url=http://cn.thenews.com.pk/magazine/you/208750-Watch-out-for-the-Show-Queens |title=Watch out for the 'Show Queens' |last=Zakir |first=Fatima |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=29 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113851/http://cn.thenews.com.pk/magazine/you/208750-Watch-out-for-the-Show-Queens |archive-date=30 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |title=Na Maloom Afraad's actress will make Bollywood debut |url=http://nation.com.pk/entertainment/10-Nov-2014/na-maloom-afraad-s-actress-will-make-bollywood-debut |publisher=the Nation |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=26 July 2015}} Her television work includes the hit dramas, Sang-e-Mar Mar (2016), Alif Allah Aur Insaan (2017), Alif (2019), Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay and Sinf-e-Aahan, both in 2021, and Jannat Se Aagay (2023).{{Cite web |url=https://www.mangobaaz.com/this-contestant-dragged-judge-kubra-khan-for-critiquing-his-singing-when-she-cant-sing-herself-and-it-got-awkward-real-fast |title=This Contestant Dragged Judge Kubra Khan For Critiquing His Singing When She Can't Sing Herself And It Got Awkward Real Fast |last=Zia |first=Iman |date=20 June 2019 |website=MangoBaaz |access-date=7 July 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/266012-catching-up-with-kubra-khan |title=Catching up with Kubra Khan |last=Saeed |first=Mehek |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=29 April 2018}}
Early life
Born near Multan, Punjab on 16 June 1993, her family moved to the United Kingdom when she was 6 months, and initially was a model, having been spotted by Ahmed Ali Butt's future wife Fatima Khan and later by Butt's brother, before becoming an actress.{{cite web |url=http://www.hum.tv/did-you-know-kubra-khan-was-offered-the-lead-role-in-verna |last=Alavi |first=Omair |title=Did you know: Kubra Khan was offered the lead role in 'Verna' |date=12 March 2018 |website=GLAM Magazine |archive-date=17 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517235459/https://www.hum.tv/did-you-know-kubra-khan-was-offered-the-lead-role-in-verna/ |url-status=dead |access-date=16 October 2019}}
Career
Khan's acting debut as well as cinematic debut was marked in 2013 by action-comedy Na Maloom Afraad, where she portrayed Hina, a bank-worker and love interest of the film's main lead, Mohsin Abbas Haider.{{Cite news |title=From Na Maloom To Being Somebody!-Nabeel Qureshi talks about his successful journey into films |url=http://tns.thenews.com.pk/nabeel-qureshi-about-his-success/ |publisher=The News Sunday |date=21 December 2014 |access-date=25 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404055455/http://tns.thenews.com.pk/nabeel-qureshi-about-his-success/ |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead}} A reviewer from the Gulf Times found her presence as "almost angel-like" but criticised her unfit and preachy monologue.{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/411043/Pakistani-film-Na-Maloom-Afraad-a-possible-game-ch |title=Pakistani film Na Maloom Afraad a possible game-changer |date=October 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |work=Gulf Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307160149/https://www.gulf-times.com/story/411043/Pakistani-film-Na-Maloom-Afraad-a-possible-game-ch}} In 2015, Khan appeared in the Bollywood movie Welcome 2 Karachi.{{cite news |title=Na Maloom Afraad's Kubra Khan to make Bollywood debut with 'Welcome to Karachi' |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1143510/na-maloom-afraads-kubra-khan-to-make-bollywood-debut-with-welcome-to-karachi |newspaper=Dawn |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=26 July 2015}}{{Cite news |title=Rabia Khan reason behind Irrfan's exit from Vashu's film |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rabia-Khan-reason-behind-Irrfans-exit-from-Vashus-film/articleshow/45001791.cms |work=The Times of India |date=1 November 2014 |access-date=26 July 2015}}{{Cite news |title=Na Maloom Afraad se Welcom to Karachi! |url=http://www.dawnnews.tv/news/1012130/ |publisher=Dawn News |date=25 November 2014 |access-date=26 July 2015}}
She made her television debut in Sang-e-Mar Mar, which aired on Hum TV in 2016. Sadaf Haider of the DAWN Images termed her as one of the breakout star of the serial, noting her "beautifully controlled performance as Shireen".{{cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1177229 |title=TV drama Sang-e-Marmar is a necessary critique of Pakistan's obsession with 'ghairat' |date=March 10, 2017 |author=Sadaf Haider |work=DAWN Images}} She next appeared in the spiritual-romance Khuda Aur Muhabbat season 2 as a materialistic girl who later develops spiritualism.{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2357145/kubra-khan-talks-about-her-characters-never-finding-love-in-projects? |title=Kubra Khan talks about her characters never finding love in projects |date=May 18, 2022 |work=The Express Tribune}} Khan then essayed the justice seeking marital rape victim in the drama Andaaz-e-Sitam.{{cite news|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/15351/the-changing-face-of-pakistani-dramas/ |title=The changing face of Pakistani dramas |date=April 24, 2017 |author=Mahwash Ajaz |work=Daily Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316235322/https://dailytimes.com.pk/15351/the-changing-face-of-pakistani-dramas/ |archive-date=March 16, 2018}} She concluded the year with a similar role of a rape victim in social drama Muqabil, for which she received Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress nomination at the 17th Lux Style Awards.{{Cite web|date=2018-01-13|title=Lux Style Awards 2018: And the nominations are...|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1607894/lux-style-awards-2018-nominations|access-date=2021-07-08|work=The Express Tribune|language=en}}
She had her first appearance in 2017 in spiritual drama Alif Allah Aur Insaan as a arrogant and pride daughter of a feudal family. She expressed dissatisfaction with her performance.{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2427800/no-regard-for-mental-health-kubra-says-pakistani-people-have-trend-of-belittling-trolling-people? |title=No regard for mental health: Kubra says Pakistani people have trend of belittling, trolling people |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |work=The Express Tribune}} She then played a girl next door in romantic-comedy Shadi Mubarak Ho. Her next portrayal was a brief appearance as a ballsy London-based punjabi window in social drama Daldal.
In 2018, she appeared in the Pakistani films Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 and Parwaaz Hai Junoon, both of which released on 22 August Eid-al-Adha. While reviewing her performance in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn opined that her "cutesy aura befitting her role".{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1430117/the-icon-review-the-power-of-three |title=The Icon Review: The Power Of Three |author=Mohammad Kamran Jawaid |date=September 2, 2018}}
She returned to television in 2019 with spiritual-romance Alif, portraying Husn-e-Jahan, a renowned Pakistani cinema actress who abandones her career to marry a calligrapher's son. Describing the project as "most memorable" for her, Khan reflected that she gave "heart and soul to Alif."{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2472571/i-gave-it-my-heart-and-soul-kubra-khan-declares-alif-her-most-memorable-project?a |title=I gave it my heart and soul: Kubra Khan declares 'Alif' her most memorable project |date=June 20, 2024 |work=The Express Tribune}}
In 2022, she portrayed Mashal Tahir, an emotionally fragile and insecure university student in psychological-drama Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay based on the eponymous novel by Umera Ahmad. Maria Kari of the DAWN Images found that as Mashal, Khan "packs a punch".{{cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1189166|title=Review: Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay was a total disappointment|date=5 January 2022|work=DAWN Images}} Khan then depicted a journalist with her childhood trauma in mystery-drama Sang-e-Mah, pairing opposite Atif Aslam. Her on-screen chemistry with Aslam was praised critically,{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341594/atif-aslam-and-kubra-khan-the-new-onscreen-couple-in-town|title=Atif Aslam and Kubra Khan: The new onscreen couple in town|date=2 February 2022|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/best-of-2022-on-screen-couples-that-won-our-hearts/|title=Best of 2022: On screen couples that won our hearts|date=22 December 2022|author=Syeda Zehra|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222103202/https://www.somethinghaute.com/best-of-2022-on-screen-couples-that-won-our-hearts/|archive-date=22 December 2022}} despite her performance being overlooked. The same year, she returned to cinema screens, starring alongside Humayun Saeed in romantic-comedy London Nahi Jaunga as an educated rural Punjabi girl.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/586570-5-of-the-most-anticipated-films-of-2020 |title=5 of the most anticipated films of 2020 |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=28 December 2019}} Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune found her as a "a real surprise package" who "ruled the screen and camera, equally".{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2366856/review-london-nahi-jaunga-is-a-thoroughly-entertaining-apology-by-khalil-ur-rehman-qamar |title=Review: 'London Nahi Jaunga' is a thoroughly entertaining apology by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar |author=Rafay Mahmood |date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=November 9, 2024}} The performance earned her a nomination of Best Film Actress at the 22nd Lux Style Awards
In 2023, Khan starred as Jannat Ali Khan in ontology drama Jannat Se Aagay as a TV show host whose personal life gets affected due to her stardom, earning decent reviews; Gaitee Ara Siddiqi of The News International stated that she has done "a commendable job" suggesting improvement in dialogue delivery.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1101783-the-ratings-challenge |title=The 'ratings' challenge |author=Gaitee Ara Siddiqi |date=August 20, 2023 |work=The News International |access-date=November 10, 2024}}
In 2024, she appeared in television series Noor Jahan as Noor Bano Shah.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-11 |title=I got irritated in the first 15 minutes: Kubra |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1200702/i-got-irritated-in-the-first-15-minutes-kubra/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}
Controversy
In 2023, reports emerged alleging that the Pakistan Army, under the direction of former COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa and former DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed, employed actresses to entrap and blackmail politicians in the country. These claims were made by retired Major Adil Raja, who suggested that actresses were used to produce compromising videos and were housed in safe houses connected to the ISI. One of the actresses named in the allegations was Kubra Khan who denied these claims, describing them as unfounded.{{cite news |title=Kubra, Sajal, Mehwish break silence on allegations by Adil Raja |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393965/enough-is-enough-kubra-sajal-and-mehwish-hayat-wont-let-anyone-drag-their-names-through-the-mud |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=The Express Tribune |date=3 January 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Sex and Spies: Has Pakistan army been using actors to honey trap politicians? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/sex-and-spies-has-pakistan-army-been-using-actors-to-honey-trap-politicians-11925792.html |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=Firstpost |date=4 January 2023 |language=en-us}}
In response to the allegations, Khan, also threatened legal action against Adil Raja for defamation.{{cite news |author=Images Staff |title=Kubra Khan threatens to sue YouTuber Adil Raja for defamation |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1191350 |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=Images |date=3 January 2023 |language=en}} Raja subsequently issued an apology to Khan, clarifying that his intention was not to target women but to highlight broader systemic issues.{{cite news |title=Adil Raja apologizes to Kubra Khan for distress caused by his allegations |url=https://thefrontierpost.com/adil-raja-apologizes-to-kubra-khan-for-distress-caused-by-his-allegations/ |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=thefrontierpost}}
Personal life
In January 2025, Khan and her longtime partner Gohar Rasheed announced their upcoming wedding.{{cite web |title=Did Kubra Khan and Mirza Gohar Rasheed just announce they're getting married?! |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1193174/did-kubra-khan-and-mirza-gohar-rasheed-just-announce-theyre-getting-married |website=Images |access-date=27 January 2025 |language=en |date=25 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Did Kubra and Gohar just soft-launch some big news? |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2524677/did-kubra-and-gohar-just-soft-launch-some-big-news |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |date=26 January 2025}}
Filmography
=Films=
{{Pending films key}}
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" | ||
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Year ! scope="col"|Title ! scope="col"|Role ! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Notes ! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Ref. | ||
| 2016
! scope="row"|Sang-e-Mar Mar | Shireen | {{no wrap|Debut}} | |
| 2016
! scope="row"|Khuda Aur Muhabbat | Sarah | ||
| 2016
! scope="row"|Muqabil | Parisa | ||
| 2017
! scope="row"|Andaaz-e-Sitam |Aayat | ||
| 2017-2018
! scope="row"|Alif Allah Aur Insaan | Nazneen | ||
| 2017
! scope="row"|Shaadi {{no wrap|Mubarak Ho}} | Zoya | ||
| 2019
! scope="row"|Alif |Husn e Jahan | | ||
| 2021
! scope="row"|Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay | Mashal | | ||
| 2021-2022
! scope="row" | Sinf-e-Aahan | Mahjabeen Mastan | | ||
| 2022
! scope="row" | Sang-e-Mah | Sheherzaad | |{{cite news |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1189149 |title=Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir and Kubra Khan's drama Sang-e-Mah to premiere first episode in cinemas |date=3 January 2022 |work=Images by Dawn |access-date=16 January 2022}} | ||
| 2023
! scope="row" | Jannat Se Aagay | Jannat Ali Khan | | ||
| 2024
! scope="row" |Noor Jahan | Noor Bano Shah | | ||
| 2025
! scope="row" |Meri Tanhai | Maryam | |
= Telefilm =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Year ! scope="col"|Title ! scope="col"|Role ! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Notes |
| 2019
! scope="row"|Laal |Samira |
| 2019
! scope="row"|Raja Ki Chandni |Chandni |
| 2021
! scope="row"| Absolutely Knot |Aania |Telefilm |
| 2022
!scope="row"| Afrah Tafreeh |Khushi |Telefilm |
= Music videos =
- Hamesha by Soch Band. (2013)
- Ki Kenda Dil by Rajveer (2013)
= Other appearances =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" | |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Year ! scope="col"|Title ! scope="col"|Role ! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Notes | |
| 2017-2018
! scope="row"|Daldal | Preet | Guest appearance |
| 2019
! scope="row"|Choti Choti Batain |Sana |Episode 4 | |
| 2019
! scope="row"|Pakistan Star |Judge |Reality Show |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! width=4%|Year ! width=20%|Work ! width=29%|Award ! width=10%|Result ! width=3%|Ref |
| style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="5"|Lux Style Awards |
|---|
| 2018
| Muqabil | Best Television Actress |{{nom}} |
| 2022
|Best TV Actress {{no wrap|(Critics' Choice)}} |{{nom}} |
| 2023
|Best Film Actress {{no wrap|(Viewers' Choice)}} |{{nom}} |
| style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="5"|ARY Viewer's Choice Awards |
| 2017
| Muqabil | Best Newcomer Female |{{won}} | |
| style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="5"|Hum Awards |
| rowspan="3" | 2017
| rowspan="3" | Sang-e-Mar Mar | Best On-screen Couple Jury |{{nom}} |
| Best Onscreen Couple Popular
|{{nom}} |
| Best New Sensation - Female
|{{won}} |
| rowspan="4" | 2018
| rowspan="4" | Alif Allah Aur Insaan | Best Actor Female Jury |{{nom}} |
| Best Actor Female Popular
|{{nom}} |
| Best On-screen Couple Jury
|{{nom}} |
| Best On-screen Couple Popular
|{{nom}} |
| style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="5"|International Pakistan Prestige Awards |
| 2017
| Best Actress (Television) |{{nom}} |
| 2018
|{{no wrap|Best TV Actress}} |{{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm6567542|Kubra Khan}}
{{Hum Award Best Television Sensation Female}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Kubra}}
Category:Pakistani film actresses
Category:Pakistani television actresses
Category:Pakistani female models
Category:British film actresses
Category:British television actresses
Category:British female models
Category:Pakistani emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:British people of Pakistani descent
Category:British actors of Pakistani descent
Category:Actresses in Urdu cinema
Category:Actresses in Urdu television
Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema
Category:Pakistani expatriate actresses in India
Category:British expatriate actresses in India