Zara Noor Abbas

Zara Noor Abbas Gill is a Pakistani actress who performs under her married name, Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui. She gained significant recognition for her role as Arsala in the 2017 series Khamoshi. The actress has transitioned from television to film through projects such as Chhalawa and Parey Hut Luv.

Early life and education

Abbas was born on 13 March 1991 in Lahore, Punjab. She comes from a Punjabi background and belongs to a family with artistic roots. Her mother is the actress Asma Abbas, while her maternal grandfather is Ahmad Bashir. She is also the niece of Bushra Ansari and Sumbul Shahid.

She attended Beaconhouse National University to pursue her studies. During her time there, she studied film design and dancing. She also took filmmaking as an optional subject.

Career

After participating in various dance competitions and plays, Abbas made her television debut in 2016. She starred in the series Dharkan, which was directed by Fahim Burney. In this 18-episode series, she played the lead character named Areen opposite Adeel Chaudhary and Ghana Ali. While the series received mixed reviews from critics, Shahbano Yousuf of Daily Times described it as a blend of culture and fantastical romance.

Her career reached a turning point in 2017 when she appeared in Khamoshi. She played the role of Arsala alongside Bilal Khan, Affan Waheed, and Iqra Aziz. The series became one of the most watched dramas of 2017. It also earned a nomination for Best Drama Serial at the annual Hum Awards. Buraq Shabbir of The News International reported that the series was a game changer for her. Ahmed Sarym of The Express Tribune noted that she impressed both commercially and critically within a short span of time.

In 2018, Abbas appeared in two different series. She first starred in Lamhay, a production by Momina Duraid that tells the story of reincarnated lovers. Although the ratings for this project were low, her performance received praise. She then starred in Qaid as Reham, a home teacher who faces challenges from a student. This series received average reviews from critics.

Abbas expanded her work into the film industry with two successful releases. She appeared in Parey Hut Luv, which was directed by Asim Raza and released in August 2019. Later that year, she starred in the comedy-drama Chhalawa directed by Wajahat Rauf. She worked alongside Mehwish Hayat and her husband, Asad Siddiqui. Both films performed well at the box office. She is set to appear in Karachi Se Lahore 3, which is the third installment of the film series.

Beyond acting, she engages in various public activities. In June 2018, she delivered a speech titled "Power of a Single Decision" at Government College University in Lahore for a TED Talk. She also appeared for FnkAsia during Fashion Pakistan Week. In November 2019, she joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to support refugees in Pakistan and globally.

Personal life

Abbas married fellow actor Asad Siddiqui in 2017. He is the nephew of Adnan Siddiqui. According to Abbas, the couple first met on the sets of Kis Ki Ayegi Baraat. Their Nikah ceremony took place in Karachi, Pakistan. This was the second marriage for both individuals. They have one daughter together.

Awards and recognition

The drama series Khamoshi received a nomination for Best Drama Serial at the annual Hum Awards. Her performance in this project was highly regarded by critics and audiences alike.