Vaneeza Ahmad

{{short description|Pakistani actress and model}}

{{Use Pakistani English|date=June 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Vaneeza Ahmed Ali

| native_name = {{Nastaliq|{{lang|ur|ونیزہ احمد}}}}

| native_name_lang =

| image = Vaneeza Ahmad at the after party for the Lux Style Awards 2007.jpg

| caption = Vaneeza at an Event

| birth_name = Vaneeza Ahmed

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|06|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kamalia, Punjab, Pakistan

| other_names = Vinnie

| occupation = Actress and model

| years_active = 1994–present

| spouse = Ali Afzal Malik (m. 2010)

| height = {{convert|168|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| relatives = Bindiya (aunt)

}}

Vaneeza Ahmad ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|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.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1161872 |title=Vaneeza Ahmad: Beauty and brains |author=Sheharyar Rizwan |date=8 February 2015|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|access-date=16 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1141555 |title=In Fashion: The affair of the 'Supermodel' |author=Maliha Rehman |newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|date=2 November 2014|access-date=16 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://gulftimescommunity.com/the-undisputed-supermodel/ |title=The undisputed supermodel – Vaneeza Ahmed, Pakistani model turned actress, speaks exclusively about her two-decade long journey and career|author=Muhammad Asadullah|date=11 March 2020|newspaper=Gulf Times (newspaper)|access-date=17 June 2020}}

Biography

=Early life=

Ahmad 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.{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1320731/qandeel-baloch-can-call-model-pakistan-anyone-can-vaneeza-ahmed/ |author=Amber Liaqat|date=9 February 2017|title=All I see in models now are nakhray: Vaneeza Ahmed|newspaper=The Express Tribune (newspaper)|access-date=16 June 2020}} Ahmad returned to Pakistan at the age of 18 to attend the Kinnaird College liberal arts university in Lahore{{cite web|title=Page 3 Bollywood: Vaneeza Ahmad|date=12 April 2008 |url=http://page3bollywood.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/vaneeza-ahmed/|publisher=WordPress|access-date=16 June 2020}} and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

While at University, Ahmad started to model casually. 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 including the likes of fashion designer Nilofer Shahid.

=Modelling as a career=

When 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.

=''Vaneeza'', the brand=

Ahmad conceived the brand name Vlawn{{cite web|title=Vaneeza: Biography|url=http://www.vaneezaahmed.net/|access-date=16 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531150655/http://www.vaneezaahmed.net/|archive-date=31 May 2008|url-status=dead}} 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. In 2011, she continued with her "VLawn" brand of women's lawn suits.

=Acting and acclaim=

Ahmad 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.

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{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/2008/01/09/spt9.htm |title=Sports Update: Pakistan torch bearers for Olympics named|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|access-date=16 June 2020}} to hold the torch in the relay out of the chosen 66.{{cite web|url=http://Pakistaniat.com/2008/04/15/olympic-torch-comes-to-Pakistan-after-44-years/|title=Olympic torch comes to Pakistan after 44 years|date=15 April 2008 |publisher=All Things Pakistan website|access-date=16 June 2020}}

Personal life

She married Islamabad-based businessman Ali Afzal Malik in July 2010 and has two daughters. She also runs her own side business. Vaneeza's aunts Bindiya is an actress and Meena Pervaiz is a newscaster.{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/377849/vaneeza-ahmed-of-nap-times-and-nappy-changes/ |title=Vaneeza Ahmed: Of nap times and nappy changes|author=Hani Taha|newspaper=The Express Tribune (newspaper)|date=12 May 2012|access-date=16 June 2020}}

Filmography

= Films =

class="wikitable"

! Year!! Title!!Role!!Ref

1998

|Jinnah

|Dina Jinnah

|

= Television =

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Network

! Notes

|Tum Se Mil Kar

|

| PTV

|

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|date=November 2020}}

|Seasons 1–9

(N/A)

| Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

|

| CBS

|

2003

| Jaane Anjaane

|

| PTV

|

| Jannat

|

| PTV Home

|

2008

| Khamoshiyan

|

| Hum TV

|

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

|

rowspan="2" | 2006

| Na Tum Apnay Na Dil Mera

|

| ARY Digital

| Telefilm

Pyar Ho Jaane Do

|

| TVOne Pakistan

|

2007

| Lux Style Awards

|

|

|

rowspan="2" |2010

|No Reservations

|

|Dawn News

|

Nadia Hussain lounge

|

|AKS TV

|

rowspan="7" |2011

|Jago Pakistan Jago

|

|Hum TV

|

Morning With Hum

|

|Hum TV

|

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

|

|

rowspan="4" | 2014

| Veet Miss Supermodel

|

| Hum Sitaray and Hum TV

|

Morning With Juggun

|

| PTV Home

|

Mazaaq Raat

|

|Dunya TV

|

2nd Hum Awards

|

| Hum TV

|

2014–2018

| Tonite with HSY

|

|Hum Sitaray and Hum TV

|

rowspan="3" | 2015

| Weekend World

|

|PTV World

|

Good Morning Pakistan

|

| ARY Digital

|

The Celebrity Lounge

|

| PTV Home

|

rowspan="7" | 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

|

rowspan="6"| 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

|

2018–2019

| Marham

| Tajwar

| BOL Network

|

rowspan="3" | 2019

| Breakfeast @ Home

|

| PTV Home

|

Star Iftar

|

|Urdu 1

|

G Kay Sang

|

| GNN

|

2019–2020

| Ehd-e-Wafa

| Faryal; Saad's Mother

| Hum TV

| {{cite news|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1183699 |title=Vaneeza Ahmed is playing Ahad Raza Mir's mother in Ehd-e-Wafa |newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|date=19 September 2019|author=Irfan-ul-Haq |access-date=16 June 2020}}

2020

| Rising Pakistan

|

|PTV Home

|

rowspan="5"|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

|

rowspan="2" | 2023

| Kuch Ankahi

| Sofia Agha

| ARY Digital

| {{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2417392/villainising-phupos-double-standards-and-women-rights-vaneeza-candidly-pushes-for-change-in-dramas? |title=Villainising phupos, double standards and women rights: Vaneeza candidly pushes for change in dramas |date=18 May 2023 |work=Express Tribune |access-date=1 June 2023}}

Subah Se Aagay

|Guest

|Hum News

2024

|Hasna Mana Hai

|Guest

|Geo News

|

= TV commercials =

{{div col}}

  • (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

{{div col end}}

=Other appearances=

=Reality Shows=

==Music videos==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Song title

! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Co-singer

! scope="col" style="width:3em;"| Year

scope="row"| "Spring Blossom"

|

| 2007

scope="row"| "Yaad"

| Shehzad Roy

| 2005

scope="row"| "Na Re Na"

| Ali Azmat

| 2003

scope="row"| "Bulleya"

| Junoon (band)

| 1999

Accolades

class="wikitable style"

!Ceremony

!Category

!Result

1st Lux Style Awards{{Cite web |date=2003-07-15 |title=..::LUX Style Awards 2003::.. |url=http://www.luxstyleawards.com/winners/pastwinners.asp |access-date=2024-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030715233432/http://www.luxstyleawards.com/winners/pastwinners.asp |archive-date=15 July 2003 }}

|rowspan="2"|Best Model of the Year (female)

|rowspan="2" {{won}}

4th Lux Style Awards{{Cite web |last=khan |first=Athar |date=2003-10-14 |title=LUX Style Awards for the year 2004 |url=https://www.rewaj.pk/lux-style-awards-for-the-year-2004/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Rewaj {{!}} Women Lifestyle |language=en-US}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}