Zaheen Tahira

{{Short description|Pakistani film and television actress (1931–2019)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Zaheen Tahira

| honorific-suffix = TI

| image =

| alt =

| native_name = ذہین طاہرہ

| other_names = Tahira Aapa

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth year|1931}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/496144-iconic-zaheen-tahira-passes-away|title=Iconic Zaheen Tahira passes away|date=9 July 2019|website=The News}}

| birth_place = Lucknow, British India{{Cite web|url=https://jang.com.pk/news/657662-zaheen-tahira-passes-away-in-karachi|title=سینئر ترین اداکارہ ذہین طاہرہ انتقال کر گئیں|website=Jang|language=ur-PK}}

| death_date = {{death date and given age|2019|7|9|88|df=yes}}

| death_place = Karachi, Pakistan

| occupation = Television actress, Film actress

| years_active = 1956–2019

| nationality = Pakistani

| spouse =

| children =

| known_for = Khuda Ki Basti
Hajj-e-Akbar

| awards = Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (2013)

| website =

}}

Zaheen Tahira (1931 – 9 July 2019) was a Pakistani film and television actress, producer and director. She also worked for Radio Pakistan and on stage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1495290|title=IN MEMORIAM: FAREWELL TO ZAHEEN APA|date=21 July 2019|work=dawn|access-date=}}

Early life

She was born in 1931 in Lucknow, British India{{Cite web|url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2019/06/20190628492299/|title=Veteran actress Zaheen Tahira passes away|date=9 July 2019|website=Business Recorder}} (according to some sources, she was born in 1935).{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2001506/4-zaheen-tahira-passes-away-karachi/|title=Veteran TV actor Zaheen Tahira passes away in Karachi|date=9 July 2019|website=The Express Tribune}}{{Cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1183221|title=Veteran actor Zaheen Tahira passes away at 79|date=9 July 2019|website=Dawn}}

Career

She is considered to be one of the most senior and veteran actresses in Pakistan television history. She dominated the TV screens in the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by portraying strong characters mainly on Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) Karachi centre. She has appeared in over 700 drama serials in lead and supporting roles. She also produced and directed a few television series. She appeared in plays mostly on private channels. She played the lead role in Pakistan's record breaking serial Khuda Ki Basti by Shaukat Siddiqui.

In 2013, she received the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) by the President of Pakistan in recognition of her work in the Pakistani entertainment industry.

Illness and death

Tahira was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi after suffering a major cardiac arrest on 23 June 2019. On 27 June 2019 she was shifted to the CCU from ICU. Her son Kamran Khan said that "Mum is hospitalized. she is getting better now, By evening they will remove the ventilator."{{Cite web|url=https://jang.com.pk/news/653650-zaheen-tahiras-son-said-she-is-alive|title=ذہین طاہرہ زندہ ہیں، بیٹے نے موت کی افواہوں کی تردید کر دی|language=ur-PK|website=jang.com.pk}} Her grandson Danial Shahzad Khan said that "Zaheen Tahira is very much alive and is currently admitted in the coronary care unit."{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/241605-zaheen-tahiras-grandson-rubbishes-rumours-of-actors-death|title=Zaheen Tahira's grandson rubbishes rumours of actor's death|website=geo.tv}}

Zaheen Tahira died in Karachi on 9 July 2019 around 9:30 am.[https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/07/pakistani-actor-zaheen-tahira-passes-away/ Pakistani actor Zaheen Tahira passes away], Samaa Tv, 9 July 2019

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
! scope="row" \| Kaisi Hain Doorian \| \|
! scope="row" \| Rastay Dil Kay \| \|
! scope="row" \| Dil Moti Kay Mole \| \|
! scope="row" \| Masi Aur Malka \| \|
! scope="row" \| Adam Hawwa Aur Shaitan \| \|
! scope="row" \| Waqt Ka Asmaan \| \|
! scope="row" \| Kahaniyan \| \|
! scope="row" \| Zeenat \| \|
! scope="row" \| Asaawari \| \|
! scope="row" \| Sentenced for Love \| \| Film
! scope="row" \| Dowry List \| \| Film
! scope="row" \| Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai \| \|
! scope="row" \| Manto Rama - Kamra No. 17 \| \|
! scope="row" \| Aania \| \|
! scope="row" \| Khaali Ankhen \| \|
! scope="row" \| Ajaib Khana \| \|
! scope="row" \| Kaun Jaanay Kia Hona Hai \| \|
! scope="row" \| Aik Bechara \| \|
! scope="row" \| Anokha Bandhan \| \|
! scope="row" \| Show Shaa \| \|
! scope ="row" \| Shee Jee \| \|
! scope="row" \| Amawas \| \|
! scope="row" \| Adha Chehra \| \|
! scope="row" \| Ilzam \| \|
1993 ! scope="row" \| Zarb Taqseem \| \|
! scope="row" \| Flight 033 \| \|
! scope="row" \| Tumhari Bina \| \|
1969 ! scope="row" \| Khuda Ki Basti \| Widow (Maa) \| {{Cite web\|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1183226\|title=Looking back at Zaheen Tahira's most timeless characters\|date=11 July 2019\|work=Dawn Images\|access-date=4 November 2022}}
1970 ! scope="row" \| Hajj e Akbar \| \|
1976 ! scope="row" \| Shama \| Khursheed \|
1981 ! scope="row" \| Harjaee \| \|
1986 ! scope="row" \| Dastak \| Farooq's wife \|
1989 ! scope="row" \| Jangloos \| \|
1990s ! scope="row" \| Khala Khairan \| \| {{Cite web\|url=https://www.masala.com/celebrities/zaheen-tahira-the-woman-the-career-the-star-288505\|title=Zaheen Tahira: Everything You Need to Know About The Star, Her Career and Her Life\|date=10 July 2019\|work=Masala\|access-date=}}
1994 ! scope="row" \| Aroosa \| \|
1998 ! scope="row" \| Samandar Hai Darmiyan \| \|
2001 ! scope="row" \| Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein \| \|
rowspan="2"\|2002 ! scope="row" \| Chaandni Raatain \| \|
scope ="row" \| Des Pardes \| \|
2003 ! scope="row" \| Murad \| \|
2006 ! scope="row" \| Manzil \| Hani \|
2006 ! scope="row" \| Dil, Diya, Dehleez \| Khala Solah anay \|
2007 ! scope="row" \| Vanee \| \|
2008 ! scope="row" \| Tair e Lahooti \| \|
rowspan="2"\|2009 ! scope="row" \| Noorpur Ki Rani \| \|
scope="row" \| Bebak \| \|
2010 ! scope="row" \| Tujh Pay Qurban \| Dadi \|
2011–12 ! scope="row" \| Meray Qatil Meray Dildar \| \|
2011 ! scope="row" \| Umm-e-Kulsoom \| \|
rowspan="2" \| 2012 ! scope="row" \| Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare \| Badi Aapa \|
scope="row" \| Mera Yaqeen \| Bua \|
rowspan="2"\|2012–13 ! scope="row" \| Raju Rocket \| \|
scope="row" \| Baandi \| Kamala's mother \|
2013 ! scope="row" \| Gohar-e-Nayab \| Gohar's grandmother \|
rowspan="2"\|2014 ! scope="row" \| Marasim \| Durdana \|
scope="row" \| Na Maloom Afraad \| Shakeel's mother \| feature film debut; cameo
2015 ! scope="row" \| Piya Mann Bhaye \| Iffat Bee \|
2015–16 ! scope="row" \| Teri Meri Jodi \| \|
rowspan="4"\|2016 ! scope="row" \| Heer \| \|
scope="row" \| Noor Jehan \| \|
scope="row" \| Bin Roye \| Rehmat Bi \|
scope="row" \| Tum Milay \| \|
2017–18 ! scope="row" \| Mera Haq \| Sajeela “Dadi” \|
rowspan="2"\|2018 ! scope="row" \| Khalish \| Neelofar's mother-in-law \|
scope="row" \| Khuwabzaadi \| \|
2018–19 ! scope="row" \| Babban Khala Ki Betiyann \| Babban Khala \|
rowspan="2" \| 2019 ! scope="row" \| Dil Kiya Karay \| \|
scope="row" \| Barfi Laddu \| Iqbal's mother \|

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

! scope="row" | Kaisi Hain Doorian

! scope="row" | Rastay Dil Kay

! scope="row" | Dil Moti Kay Mole

! scope="row" | Masi Aur Malka

! scope="row" | Adam Hawwa Aur Shaitan

! scope="row" | Waqt Ka Asmaan

! scope="row" | Kahaniyan

! scope="row" | Zeenat

! scope="row" | Asaawari

! scope="row" | Sentenced for Love

| Film

! scope="row" | Dowry List

| Film

! scope="row" | Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai

! scope="row" | Manto Rama - Kamra No. 17

! scope="row" | Aania

! scope="row" | Khaali Ankhen

! scope="row" | Ajaib Khana

! scope="row" | Kaun Jaanay Kia Hona Hai

! scope="row" | Aik Bechara

! scope="row" | Anokha Bandhan

! scope="row" | Show Shaa

! scope ="row" | Shee Jee

! scope="row" | Amawas

! scope="row" | Adha Chehra

! scope="row" | Ilzam

1993

! scope="row" | Zarb Taqseem

! scope="row" | Flight 033

! scope="row" | Tumhari Bina

1969

! scope="row" | Khuda Ki Basti

| Widow (Maa)

| {{Cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1183226|title=Looking back at Zaheen Tahira's most timeless characters|date=11 July 2019|work=Dawn Images|access-date=4 November 2022}}

1970

! scope="row" | Hajj e Akbar

1976

! scope="row" | Shama

| Khursheed

1981

! scope="row" | Harjaee

1986

! scope="row" | Dastak

| Farooq's wife

1989

! scope="row" | Jangloos

1990s

! scope="row" | Khala Khairan

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.masala.com/celebrities/zaheen-tahira-the-woman-the-career-the-star-288505|title=Zaheen Tahira: Everything You Need to Know About The Star, Her Career and Her Life|date=10 July 2019|work=Masala|access-date=}}

1994

! scope="row" | Aroosa

1998

! scope="row" | Samandar Hai Darmiyan

2001

! scope="row" | Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein

rowspan="2"|2002

! scope="row" | Chaandni Raatain

scope ="row" | Des Pardes

2003

! scope="row" | Murad

2006

! scope="row" | Manzil

| Hani

2006

! scope="row" | Dil, Diya, Dehleez

| Khala Solah anay

2007

! scope="row" | Vanee

2008

! scope="row" | Tair e Lahooti

rowspan="2"|2009

! scope="row" | Noorpur Ki Rani

scope="row" | Bebak

2010

! scope="row" | Tujh Pay Qurban

| Dadi

2011–12

! scope="row" | Meray Qatil Meray Dildar

2011

! scope="row" | Umm-e-Kulsoom

rowspan="2" | 2012

! scope="row" | Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare

| Badi Aapa

scope="row" | Mera Yaqeen

| Bua

rowspan="2"|2012–13

! scope="row" | Raju Rocket

scope="row" | Baandi

| Kamala's mother

2013

! scope="row" | Gohar-e-Nayab

| Gohar's grandmother

rowspan="2"|2014

! scope="row" | Marasim

| Durdana

scope="row" | Na Maloom Afraad

| Shakeel's mother

| feature film debut; cameo

2015

! scope="row" | Piya Mann Bhaye

| Iffat Bee

2015–16

! scope="row" | Teri Meri Jodi

rowspan="4"|2016

! scope="row" | Heer

scope="row" | Noor Jehan

scope="row" | Bin Roye

| Rehmat Bi

scope="row" | Tum Milay

2017–18

! scope="row" | Mera Haq

| Sajeela “Dadi”

rowspan="2"|2018

! scope="row" | Khalish

| Neelofar's mother-in-law

scope="row" | Khuwabzaadi

2018–19

! scope="row" | Babban Khala Ki Betiyann

| Babban Khala

rowspan="2" | 2019

! scope="row" | Dil Kiya Karay

scope="row" | Barfi Laddu

| Iqbal's mother

Awards and recognition

Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref.
class="wikitable"
1970	1st PTV Awards	Best Actress Special Award	{{Won}}	{{Citation \|title=History of Pakistan Television -1970 to 1974\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OASA_jJWoh0\|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/OASA_jJWoh0\|archive-date=2022-01-18 \|url-status=live\|website=PTV (News)\| date=17 November 2013 \|access-date=22 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}
1998	9th PTV Awards	Best Actress	{{Nom}}	{{Citation \|title=PTV Awards 1998\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ6o5shu2Tw \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/xZ6o5shu2Tw \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|website=PTV (News)\| date=10 October 2019 \|access-date=29 June 2021}}{{cbignore}}
2013	1st Hum Awards	Lifetime Achievement Award	{{Won}}	{{cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/792549 \|title=Awards celebrate showbiz achievements (Hum Awards)\|publisher=Dawn (newspaper)\|date=14 March 2013\|access-date=27 July 2018}}
2013	Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction)	Award by the President of Pakistan	{{Won}}	[https://nation.com.pk/24-Mar-2013/president-decorates-civil-and-mily-awards-on-pakistan-day President decorates civil and military awards on Pakistan Day] The Nation (newspaper), Published 24 March 2013, Retrieved 27 July 2018

References

External links

{{IMDb name |3760478}}

Category:1931 births

Category:2019 deaths

Category:Pakistani television actresses

Category:Hum Award winners

Category:20th-century Pakistani actresses

Category:21st-century Pakistani actresses

Category:Actresses from Karachi

Category:Muhajir people

Category:PTV Award winners

Category:Recipients of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

Category:Actresses from Lucknow