Zara Noor Abbas

Abbas was born on 13 March 1991 in Lahore, Punjab.{{Cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1182042 |title=Zara Noor Abbas celebrates 28th birthday with an intimate house party |author=Images Staff |date=13 March 2019 |website=DAWN |language=en |access-date=14 March 2019}} She is the daughter of actress Asma Abbas, niece of Bushra Ansari and Sumbul Shahid and maternal granddaughter of Ahmad Bashir. She is from a Punjabi background.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brecorder.com/2018/04/21/413357/pakistani-mother-daughter-celebrities-who-are-too-good-to-be-ignored/ |title=Pakistani mother-daughter celebrities who are too good to be ignored |last=says |first=Abdul salam |date=21 April 2018 |website=Business Recorder |language=en-US |access-date=22 December 2018}}

A graduate from Beaconhouse National University, Abbas has studied film design, dancing, theatre and film making as an optional subject too.{{Cite web |url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/asad-and-i-discovered-new-sides-of-each-other-zara-noor-abbas-on-working-with-her-husband/ |title='Asad and I discovered new sides of each other': Zara Noor Abbas on working with her husband |date=19 February 2019 |website=Something Haute |language=en-US |access-date=14 May 2019}} After participating in various plays and dance competitions, she made her television debut in the Fahim Burney's directed 2016 series Dharkan, where she played the lead character of Areen opposite Adeel Chaudhary and Ghana Ali.{{Cite web |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/363368/zara-noor-abbas-tells-women-to-realise-their-self-worth-on-womens-day/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas tells women to realise their self worth on Women's Day |date=9 March 2019 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US |access-date=11 March 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1755078/4-ive-always-opinionated-staunch-words-zara-noor-abbas/ |title=I've always been very opinionated and staunch with my words: Zara Noor Abbas {{!}} The Express Tribune |date=11 July 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}} The series ran for 18 episodes and aired weekly.{{Cite news |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/68163/dharkan-romance-that-everyone-yearns-to-watch/ |title=Dharkan: Romance that everyone yearns to watch - Daily Times |date=24 July 2016 |work=Daily Times |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}} The series received mixed reviews from critics. Shahbano Yousuf of Daily Times stated, "We see this drama as a great blend of our culture, its norms and value mixed with fantastical romance".

In 2017 she appeared in another project with the lead role of Arsala in the critically acclaimed series Khamoshi opposite Bilal Khan, Affan Waheed and Iqra Aziz.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/303988-zara-noor-abbas-confronts-ridiculing-models-at-fashion-week-with-instagram-post |title=Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=22 December 2018}} Upon release, Khamoshi has become one of the most watched drama series of 2017 and also nominated for Best Drama Serial category at annual Hum Awards.{{Cite news |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/exciting-hum-awards-has-revealed-their-viewers-choice-nominations-list/ |title=Exciting: Hum Awards has revealed their viewers choice nominations list |work=Daily Pakistan Global |access-date=23 July 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/295549-top-rated-tv-plays-currently-on-air |title=Top rated TV plays currently on air |last= |first= |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=22 December 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/440934-zara-noor-abbas-targets-on-screen-portrayal-of-women-in-new-instagram-post |title=Zara Noor Abbas targets on-screen portrayal of women in new Instagram post |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=11 March 2019}} Her on-screen chemistry with Bilal Khan was praised.{{Cite web |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/zara-noor-abbas-know-self-worth-and-remind-yourself-of-who-you-are/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas: Know your self-worth and remind yourself of who you are |website=Daily Pakistan Global |language=en-US |access-date=11 March 2019}} According to Buraq Shabbir of The News International, the series turned out to be a game changer for her.{{Cite web |url=http://tns.thenews.com.pk/conversation-zara-noor-abbas/ |title=In conversation with Zara Noor Abbas |last=Instep |date=27 January 2019 |website=TNS - The News on Sunday |language=en-US |access-date=11 March 2019}} Ahmed Sarym of The Express Tribune praised her saying, "Within a short span of time, she’s not only been able to mark a niche but also impress both commercially and critically alike".

Abbas appeared in two series in 2018. She first starred alongside Shaz Khan in Amna Nawaz Khan's directorial Lamhay which tells the story of star-crossed lovers who are reincarnated.{{Cite news |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1179962 |title=Shaz Khan and Zara Noor Abbas are set to star in upcoming drama Lamhe |last=Haq |first=Irfan Ul |date=30 April 2018 |work=Dawn |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}} It is her third consecutive appearance in Momina Duraid's production after Dharkan and Khamoshi. The series did not do well in terms of ratings but her performance was praised.{{Cite web |url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/zara-noor-abbas-is-the-only-thing-that-makes-lamhay-worth-watching/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas is the only thing that makes Lamhay worth watching |date=22 September 2018 |website=Something Haute |language=en-US |access-date=22 December 2018}} Her next series was Qaid. She starred opposite Syed Jibran and played the role of a Reham, a Home teacher who faces difficulties when one of her students is attracted to her.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/396311-qaid-is-about-juvenile-obsession-says-zara-noor-abbas |title=Qaid is about juvenile obsession, says Zara Noor Abbas |last=Shabbir |first=Buraq |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=22 December 2018}} The series received average reviews.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Besides television Abbas was signed to her first film, Parey Hut Luv, directed by Asim Raza, also starring Maya Ali, Mahira Khan and Shehryar Munawar Siddiqui.{{Cite news |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/zara-noor-abbas-to-make-film-debut-alongside-mahira-khan-in-parey-hat-lav/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas to make film debut alongside Mahira Khan in 'Parey Hat Lav' |work=Daily Pakistan Global |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1179746 |title=Zara Noor Abbas will make her film debut with Mahira Khan-starrer Paray Hat Love |last=Haq |first=Irfan Ul |date=30 March 2018 |website=Images |language=en |access-date=24 December 2018}} The film was released in August 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1181504 |title=Parey Hut Love's shoot concludes with a star-studded wrap-up party |last=Rehman |first=Maliha |date=18 December 2018 |website=Dawn |language=en |access-date=22 December 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/03/30/mahira-khan-sheheryar-munawar-zara-noor-abbas-to-star-in-asim-razas-next/ |title=Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Zara Noor Abbas to star in Asim Raza's next |website=Pakistan Today |language=en-GB |access-date=30 August 2018}} In the same year, she was signed to Wajahat Rauf's comedy-drama Chhalawa opposite Mehwish Hayat and Azfar Rehman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/588602-highest-grossing-pakistani-films-of-2019|title=Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}} She was paired with her husband Asad Siddiqui in the project.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/431949-zara-noor-abbas-and-asad-siddiqui-will-feature-in-wajahat-raufs-next |title=Zara Noor Abbas and Asad Siddiqui will feature in Wajahat Rauf's next |last=NewsBytes |website=The News International |language=en |access-date=12 March 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/371848/zara-noor-abbas-character-in-chhalawa-is-like-a-breath-of-fresh-air/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas' character in 'Chhalawa' is like a breath of fresh air |date=31 March 2019 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US |access-date=1 April 2019}} Both films performed well at the box-office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/588602-highest-grossing-pakistani-films-of-2019|title=Highest grossing Pakistani films of 2019|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}} She will also be part of upcoming Wajahat Rauf's venture Karachi Se Lahore 3 which will be the third installment in Karachi Lahore (film series).{{Cite web |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/08/04/third-installment-of-karachi-se-lahore-in-the-works/ |title=Third installment of 'Karachi Se Lahore' in the works |website=Pakistan Today |language=en-GB |access-date=30 August 2018}}

In 2017, she married fellow actor Asad Siddiqui, the nephew of Adnan Siddiqui. According to Abbas, they first met on the sets of Kis Ki Ayegi Baraat. The marriage ceremony was held in Karachi, Pakistan.{{Cite news |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/this-couple-is-breaking-wedding-stereotypes/ |title=This couple is breaking wedding stereotypes! |work=Daily Pakistan Global |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/congratulations-zara-noor-abbas-has-gotten-engaged-to-asad-siddiqui/ |title=Congratulations: Zara Noor Abbas has gotten engaged to Asad Siddiqui! |work=Daily Pakistan Global |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/zara-noor-abbas-shared-a-picture-with-husband-asad-siddiqui-too-vile-for-internet/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas shared a picture with husband Asad Siddiqui 'too vile' for Internet |work=Daily Pakistan Global |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}} They later worked together in the feature film Chhalawa and Zebaish.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/440507-wajahat-rauf-unveils-title-of-his-eid-ul-fitr-release-chhalawa |title=Wajahat Rauf unveils title of his Eid ul Fitr release, Chhalawa |last=NewsBytes |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en |access-date=6 March 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1158340|title=Asma Abbas and Bushra Ansari To Play Sisters On Screen In New Drama|last=Khan|first=Saira|date=2019-08-16|website=HIP|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}} They have one daughter.{{cite news |title=Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui welcome their first baby |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/536759-zara-noor-abbas-asad-siddiqui-welcome-their-first-baby |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=Geo News |language=en}}

Abbas frequently criticises body-shaming in the media industry.{{Cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1183343|title=Body-shaming has never stopped Zara Noor Abbas from being who she is|author=Images Staff|date=2019-07-25|website=Images|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/24-Jul-2019/my-talent-isn-t-going-to-suffer-because-of-what-size-i-am-zara-noor-abbas|title=My talent isn't going to suffer because of what size I am: Zara Noor Abbas|date=2019-07-24|website=The Nation|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}} In June 2018, Abbas delivered a speech on "Power of a Single Decision" at Government College University in Lahore organized by TED Talk.{{Citation |last=TEDx Talks |title=Power of a single decision {{!}} Zara Noor Abbas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdInEBhUAKU&app=desktop |work=TED |access-date=22 December 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1826947/4-first-marriage-wrong-reasons-zara-noor-abbas/ |title=My first marriage was for all the wrong reasons: Zara Noor Abbas |date=16 October 2018 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=22 December 2018}} She appeared for FnkAsia at Fashion Pakistan Week.{{Cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1179844 |title=Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week |author=Images Staff |date=12 April 2018 |website=DAWN |language=en |access-date=24 December 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1179855 |title=Areeba Habib apologises to Zara Noor Abbas for mocking her runway walk |author=Images Staff |date=14 April 2018 |website=DAWN |language=en |access-date=24 December 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/227151/zara-noor-abbass-runway-walk-and-the-case-of-the-mocking-trolls/ |title=Zara Noor Abbas's runway walk, and the case of the mocking trolls |date=12 April 2018 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US |access-date=24 December 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/303988-zara-noor-abbas-confronts-ridiculing-models-at-fashion-week-with-instagram-post |title=Zara Noor Abbas confronts ridiculing models at Fashion Week with Instagram post |work=The News International |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1179844 |title=Actor Zara Noor Abbas calls out models for mocking her at fashion week |author=Images Staff |date=12 April 2018 |work=Dawn |access-date=30 August 2018 |language=en-US}} In November 2019, Abbas joined hands with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to empower refugees in Pakistan and across the world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/lifeandstyle/2019/11/zara-noor-abbas-joins-hands-with-unhcr-to-empower-refugees/|title=Zara Noor Abbas joins hands with UNHCR to empower refugees {{!}} Samaa Digital|website=Samaa TV|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-23}}

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• {{IMDb name|9469072}}
• {{Instagram|zaranoorabbas.official}}

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Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Pakistani actresses

Category:People from Lahore

Category:Pakistani Muslims

Category:Pakistani television actresses

Category:Beaconhouse National University alumni