Pakistani film actress and television presenter Irtiza Rubab (Urdu: ارتضی رباب) (born May 12, 1977), better known by her stage name Meera (Urdu: میرا), performs in Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi films.
A profession
In 1999, Meera earned critical acclaim for her performance in Khilona (1996–97). She first captured nationwide attention in 1995 with her debut in the film industry. She won a Nigar Award for her performance in Khilona, and also received major acclaim for her work. Inteha, another critical and commercial success, won her the award for Best Actress for the second time in a row for her breakthrough performance. She quickly became an important cog in the Lollywood scene following her performance in Nazar with a Pakistani film in 2004.
In 2005, she made her Bollywood debut with Nazar, in which she played the titular character. In 2010, she played the lead role in the Bollywood film Husan Ara. She then acted in a joint Indo-Pakistani production, Nazar, with Nazar, in the following year. She performed in Abba, a PTV Home drama that’s still popular.
She also appeared in A-Plus’s Bichday Toh Ahsaas Hua in 2011. She played the lead in the psychological thriller film Hotal in 2014. The following year, she was named Best Actress at the Delhi International Film Festival for her “out of the box” performance in the drama film Hotal. In 2016, she played a prominent character in Naagin, a television series. She will star in the drama film Baaji in 2019.
She has said she plans to enter politics and join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the ruling party in Pakistan.
Bollywood actress
Meera was the first Pakistani actress to work in India in Nazar, which opened the door for a peaceful India Pakistan relationship, and also initiated the India Pakistan dialogue. She also appeared in Kasak, the second Indo-Pakistani joint picture in 50 years. She spent the following years working in Bollywood.
The film Paanch Ghantey Mien Paanch Crore was an average performer at the box office. In addition to the media blackout, the director Faisal Saif wanted to show the film to the audience directly. The film debuted to 50% openings in limited release, and was listed in The Times of India’s Top 10 Bold Films category of 2012.
In 2015, she sang an item number in Bumpe RFr Draw.
Private life
In 2009, Faisalabad businessman Sheikh Attiq-ur-Rehman claimed that he and divorcee Meera were wed in 2007. Meera denied the marriage and sued him for maligning her reputation. However, a Lahore family court validated a marriage certificate and vacation photos to prove that Meera was married to Attiq-ur-Rehman in 2018.
