Noor Bukhari

Noor Bukhari is a Pakistani former actress, director, model and television host. She has appeared in 44 Urdu films and 20 Punjabi films throughout her career.

Early life and education

Bukhari was born on 3 July 1974 in Lahore. She began her journey in the entertainment industry as a child actor during the mid-1990s.

Career

Her initial film roles included Pyar karan toh nai darna in 1992, followed by Uroosa and Jannat in 1993. She eventually transitioned into lead heroine roles with films such as Jan Jan Pakistan in 1999 and Mujhe Chand Chahye in 2000. In the latter production, she worked alongside Shaan Shahid, Reema Khan, Javed Sheikh, Babar Ali and Atiqa Odho.

The year 2000 proved highly productive for her career. She starred in Ghar Kab Ao Gay with Ahsan Khan, Meera, Shaan Shahid, Jawed Sheikh and Babar Ali. During this same period, she appeared in Aag Ka Darya, Tere Pyar Mein, No Paisa No Problem, Wadaa and Sohni Kuri.

Bukhari continued her prolific streak through the early 2000s. She acted in Badmash, Moosa Khan, Billi, Sangram, Janwar and Toofan Mail in 2001. Her filmography also includes Daku and Wehshi Jutt in 2002, as well as Ghazi Ilmuddin Shaheed in 2002 and Dosa in 2003. She later appeared in Ultimatum in 2004 and Zill-e-Shah in 2008 alongside Shaan Shahid and Saima Noor.

After leaving the film industry, she made a comeback with Bhai Log in 2011. Her subsequent film roles included Revenge Of Worthless and Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal in 2016. She performed in her final film, Ishq Positive in 2016, which featured Wali Hamid Ali Khan, Saud and Faria Bukhari.

Her television work spans various formats including telefilms and drama serials. She appeared in the telefilms Zainaby in 2010, Oper Ghori Ka Makaan in 2015 and Salman Siddiquie Film in 2016. Her drama credits include Uff yeh Larkiyan in 2001, Mein Noor Ka Paristaar Hoon in 2002 and Mere Angnay Mein in 2008. Other serials include Phir Tanha in 2011, Meri Wife ke Liye in 2016, Ye Junoon in 2016 and Kitni Girihan Baqi hai in 2017.

Bukhari has also hosted numerous television shows. These include Pakistan Family Show and Colours in 2007, as well as Morning With Hum in 2010 and 2011. She hosted Noor Morning from 2012 to 2013 and Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain between 2013 and 2015. Other hosting credits include Tea@5 With Noor in 2014, Samaa k Mehman in 2015 and Good Morning Zindagi from 2014 to 2016. She served as a judge on Salam Zindagi in 2017 and hosted Good Morning Pakistan alongside Nida Yasir in 2017.

Personal life

In 2008, Bukhari married Vikram Sood, a Dubai-based Hindu businessman. They separated shortly after the wedding. She and her father later accused him of attempting to kidnap her and convert her to Hinduism. The marriage was dissolved in 2010.

Bukhari remarried her third husband, Aun Chaudhry. They have four children together. In October 2017, she stated that she would be retiring from entertainment indefinitely. She is a practicing Muslim who observes hijab.

Awards and recognition

She won the Best Actress (Popular) award at the Hum Telefilm Awards for Zainaby in 2010. In 2017, she received the Women Of The Year award from the Leo Awards. She also earned the Women of The Year title from the Sukh Chain Club Awards in 2017.

Her professional achievements include a nomination for Best Director at the Ippa Awards in 2017 for Ishq Positive. She was also honored with the Legend Award at the 9th Pakistani Achievement Awards in 2017.