Atiqa Odho

Atiqa Odho is a Pakistani television and film actress, television host, and the founder of the cosmetics brand Odho Cosmetics. She maintains active roles as the CEO of Odho Productions and Odho Cosmetics. Her career spans decades of work in acting, social work, and political involvement.

Early life and education

Atiqa Odho was born on 12 February 1968 into a Sindhi family. She is the granddaughter of the Sardar of Jacobabad. In 1989, she began her professional journey as a hairstylist and make-up artist.

Career

While she worked as a make-up artist for various advertising agencies in Karachi, television personality Anwar Maqsood discovered her. She starred in his 1992 play Sitara Aur Mehrunissa. Her film debut occurred in 1995 with the movie Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya.

Odho's acting credits include various dramas such as Dasht, Nijaat, Harjaee, and Humsafar. She also appeared in films like Mummy and Mujhe Chand Chahiye. In 2008, she produced and acted in the telefilm Chalo Phir Se Jee Lain, which focused on breast cancer awareness.

Her international career expanded when she joined the Turkish drama Koyu Beyaz in 2022. This role marks her debut on the world stage.

Beyond acting, she has engaged in political and social sectors. She served as the secretary information of the All Pakistan Muslim League, a party associated with the late Pervez Musharraf. Since 2016, she has participated in philanthropic activities for the Fatmeed Foundation and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. She also works as a social worker for Hamara Mulk, Hamaray Log.

In June 2021, she was elected chairperson of the Actors Collective Trust. This organization focuses on the betterment of the artist community. She also serves as an ambassador for a breast cancer awareness campaign in Pakistan.

Personal life

Odho married for the first time at age 15. She had a daughter at 16 and a son at 19 before her first marriage ended after six years. At age 21, she married Javed Akhund, with whom she had one daughter and one son. She gave birth to her son during this second marriage when she was 29. They eventually divorced.

In July 2012, she married Samar Ali Khan. Her personal life also involved a legal matter at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in June 2011. The Airport Security Force detained her for allegedly carrying two liquor bottles in her luggage. Following a court trial that lasted 9 years, a Rawalpindi civil court acquitted her in August 2020.

Awards and recognition

Atiqa Odho has received Nigar Awards for her work.