Veena Malik

Zahida Malik, professionally known as Veena Malik, is a Pakistani actress, TV host, and reality television personality. She has performed in both Pakistani and Bollywood films throughout her career. Malik also works as a model, presenter, and singer.

Early life and education

Malik was born as Zahida Malik on 26 February 1984 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Her father is Malik Mohammad Aslam and her mother is Zeenat Malik.

Career

She made her film debut in 2000 with the movie Tere Pyar Mein, which was directed by Sajjad Gul. In this production, she played a supporting role alongside Shaan and Zara Sheikh. While she was barely acknowledged for this initial performance, she continued to work in the industry. By 2002, she appeared in Javed Sheikh's Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa and starred in Sassi Punno.

Malik transitioned into television hosting in 2002 when she hosted the Prime TV series, Prime Gupshup. She used this hour-long show to demonstrate her comedic skills through occasional actor mimicry. Later, she hosted the Geo TV program Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain, where she received praise for her comedic parodies.

Her film career saw a breakthrough with the movie Koi Tujh Sa Kahan in 2005. She also played the parallel lead role of Farwa in the fantasy film Naag aur Nagin during that same year. In 2007, she appeared in the Punjabi film Mohabbatan Sachiyan, which became a commercial success. She also held a supporting role in the film Kabhi Pyar Na Karna.

In 2010, Malik entered the Indian reality television circuit as a contestant on Bigg Boss Season 4. She remained in the competition until two weeks before the finals, finishing as one of the final six contestants from the original group of fourteen. Following her time on the show, various media outlets like Daily Times and Express Tribune referred to her as a voice for liberal Muslims. In February 2011, she participated in the Delhi-based reality game show Big Toss, where she served as a team captain.

Malik expanded her reach into Bollywood in 2012 by performing the item song "Chhanno" in Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai. She performed another song, "Fann Ban Gayi," in the film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya during the same month. Her acting roles in India included the social drama Zindagi 50 50 in 2013 and a special appearance in the Punjabi film Jatts in Golmaal. She also made her debut in Kannada cinema with Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Hot, where she portrayed the life of actress Silk Smitha. Her final Bollywood appearance was in the 2014 film Mumbai 125 KM 3D.

A planned television project titled Veena Malik – Veena Ka Vivah was cancelled when Imagine TV shut down. Although the show did not air, Malik collected almost 71,000 entries from around the world for the production. She also faced legal challenges in November 2014 when a Gilgit court sentenced her and her husband to 26 years in prison. This ruling concerned an allegedly blasphemous program aired on Geo TV in May, but the sentence was not enforceable outside of Gilgit.

Personal life

In 2013, it was reported that Malik was engaged to a businessman named Umar Farooq Zahoor. She married Asad Bashir Khan Khattak on 25 December 2013 in Dubai. The couple has two children together, but they eventually divorced in 2018.

Malik is a Muslim and has stated that she visited the Kaaba three times. She also engages in philanthropic work as a representative for the World Health Organization for two years. Additionally, she sponsors a child at the SOS Children's Village in Pakistan.

Awards and recognition

During the 2007 Lux Style Awards, Malik was recognized as the most stylish celebrity on the carpet. In 2012, FHM India ranked her at number 26 on their list of 100 sexiest women. She has also been associated with the Nigar Awards.