Zaheen Tahira

TI
Born1931 (1931)[1]
Lucknow, British India[2]
Died (aged 88)
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Other namesTahira Aapa
Occupation(s)Television actress, Film actress
Years active1956–2019
Known forKhuda Ki Basti
Hajj-e-Akbar
AwardsTamgha-e-Imtiaz (2013)

Zaheen Tahira (1931 – 9 July 2019) was a Pakistani film and television actress, producer and director. She also worked for Radio Pakistan and on stage.[3][4]

Early life

She was born in 1931 in Lucknow, British India[2][1][5] (according to some sources, she was born in 1935 in Lucknow, British India).[6][7]

Career

She is considered to be one of the most senior and veteran actresses in Pakistan television history.[4] She dominated the TV screens in the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by portraying strong characters mainly on Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) Karachi centre. She has appeared in over 700 drama serials in lead and supporting roles. She also produced and directed a few television series. She appeared in plays mostly on private channels. She played the lead role in Pakistan's record breaking serial Khuda Ki Basti by Shaukat Siddiqui.

In 2013, she received the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) by the President of Pakistan in recognition of her work in the Pakistani entertainment industry.[8]

Illness and death

Tahira was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi after suffering a major cardiac arrest on 23 June 2019. On 27 June 2019 she was shifted to the CCU from ICU. Her son Kamran Khan said that "Mum is hospitalized. she is getting better now, By evening they will remove the ventilator."[9] Her grandson Danial Shahzad Khan said that "Zaheen Tahira is very much alive and is currently admitted in the coronary care unit."[10]

Zaheen Tahira died in Karachi on 9 July 2019 around 9:30 am.[11]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
Kaisi Hain Doorian
Rastay Dil Kay
Dil Moti Kay Mole
Masi Aur Malka
Adam Hawwa Aur Shaitan
Waqt Ka Asmaan
Kahaniyan
Zeenat
Asaawari
Sentenced for Love Film
Dowry List Film
Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai
Manto Rama - Kamra No. 17
Aania
Khaali Ankhen
Ajaib Khana
Kaun Jaanay Kia Hona Hai
Aik Bechara
Anokha Bandhan
Show Shaa
Shee Jee
Amawas
Adha Chehra
Ilzam
1993 Zarb Taqseem
Flight 033
Tumhari Bina
1969 Khuda Ki Basti Widow (Maa) [12]
1970 Hajj e Akbar
1976 Shama Khursheed
1981 Harjaee
1986 Dastak Farooq's wife [12]
1989 Jangloos
1990s Khala Khairan [13]
1994 Aroosa [12]
1998 Samandar Hai Darmiyan
2001 Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar Mein
2002 Chaandni Raatain
Des Pardes
2003 Murad
2006 Manzil Hani
2006 Dil, Diya, Dehleez Khala Solah anay [13]
2007 Vanee
2008 Tair e Lahooti
2009 Noorpur Ki Rani
Bebak
2010 Tujh Pay Qurban Dadi
2011–12 Meray Qatil Meray Dildar
2011 Umm-e-Kulsoom
2012 Nikhar Gaye Gulab Sare Badi Aapa
Mera Yaqeen Bua
2012–13 Raju Rocket
Baandi Kamala's mother
2013 Gohar-e-Nayab Gohar's grandmother [4]
2014 Marasim Durdana
Na Maloom Afraad Shakeel's mother feature film debut; cameo
2015 Piya Mann Bhaye Iffat Bee
2015–16 Teri Meri Jodi
2016 Heer
Noor Jehan
Bin Roye Rehmat Bi
Tum Milay
2017–18 Mera Haq Sajeela “Dadi”
2018 Khalish Neelofar's mother-in-law
Khuwabzaadi
2018–19 Babban Khala Ki Betiyann Babban Khala [12]
2019 Dil Kiya Karay [13]
Barfi Laddu Iqbal's mother [12]

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Result Ref.
1970 1st PTV Awards Best Actress Special Award Won [14]
1998 9th PTV Awards Best Actress Nominated [15]
2013 1st Hum Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won [3]
2013 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) Award by the President of Pakistan Won [8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Iconic Zaheen Tahira passes away". The News. 9 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b "سینئر ترین اداکارہ ذہین طاہرہ انتقال کر گئیں". Jang (in Urdu).
  3. ^ a b "Awards celebrate showbiz achievements (Hum Awards)". Dawn (newspaper). 14 March 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "IN MEMORIAM: FAREWELL TO ZAHEEN APA". dawn. 21 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Veteran actress Zaheen Tahira passes away". Business Recorder. 9 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Veteran TV actor Zaheen Tahira passes away in Karachi". The Express Tribune. 9 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Veteran actor Zaheen Tahira passes away at 79". Dawn. 9 July 2019.
  8. ^ a b President decorates civil and military awards on Pakistan Day The Nation (newspaper), Published 24 March 2013, Retrieved 27 July 2018
  9. ^ "ذہین طاہرہ زندہ ہیں، بیٹے نے موت کی افواہوں کی تردید کر دی". jang.com.pk (in Urdu).
  10. ^ "Zaheen Tahira's grandson rubbishes rumours of actor's death". geo.tv.
  11. ^ Pakistani actor Zaheen Tahira passes away, Samaa Tv, 9 July 2019
  12. ^ a b c d e "Looking back at Zaheen Tahira's most timeless characters". Dawn Images. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Zaheen Tahira: Everything You Need to Know About The Star, Her Career and Her Life". Masala. 10 July 2019.
  14. ^ "History of Pakistan Television -1970 to 1974", PTV (News), archived from the original on 18 January 2022, retrieved 22 February 2022
  15. ^ "PTV Awards 1998", PTV (News), archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 29 June 2021

External links

PTV programs
Categories