Umera Ahmed

Umera Ahmed – Wikipedia Umera Ahmed is a bestselling Pakistani author of over a dozen Urdu popular fiction novels, with million copies of her works in print. She has won numerous best writer awards from some of the most prestigious media houses and organizations in Pakistan. Her most celebrated work that gave her international recognition and astounding success is Pir e Kamil (The Perfect Mentor), which she dedicated to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), and his legacy that is still mentoring lives. She is most known for her unorthodox approach towards some very sensitive issues in Pakistani society that deal with both the religion and culture of the country. Personal Life Umera Ahmed was born on December 10, 1976 in Gujranwala, Pakistan. She completed her master’s degree in English Literature from Murray College, Sialkot, the same college that produced one of the most celebrated and gifted scholars and poets of 21st century, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. She enjoys a closely guarded private life and seldom gives interviews. Her only appearance onscreen was on the stage of Indus Vision awards to collect her first Best Writer Award in 2005. Despite being active on social media, and involved in showbiz, she leads a private life. Early Career Umera Ahmed started writing from a very early age, while still at college. She describes the primary reason of writing her first novel as ‘to better [her] hand writing’ . That first novel, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, was published in a women monthly digest, Khawateen in 1998. The novel gained instant popularity within the digest readership. The female protagonist, Kashaf, was depicted as a plain looking, bright and hardworking student who is battling acute financial hardship in her personal life. The story dealt with some powerful themes and contained a message that launched Umera Ahmed as a visionary writer. Her later works cemented this early diagnosis of her talent. Before taking up writing full time, she also taught at Army Public College, Sialkot’s Cambridge wing . During that time, she continued writing for Khawateen and Shua, two of the most prominent monthly digests in Pakistan. Her stories like Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Be-Nishan, Imaan Umeed aur Mohabbat, Amarbail, Haasil, and La Haasil, gave her a distinct position among her peers. In popular fiction genre, an area dominated by female writers, Umera Ahmed emerged as the radical who had her own views on everything, and she used her writing to convey those views to the masses. Faced with initial criticism over her depictions of role of women in society, the nonconformist approach her female protagonists always take, and her own insistence of writing on some very sensitive topics in Pakistani society, she did start gaining loyal following and readership eventually. Success: Though she enjoyed success and recognition from the very start of her career, it was her 2004 bestselling novel, Peer e Kamil that launched her as one of the most successful and influential writers of this era in Pakistan. This novel is also responsible for making her a household name not only in Pakistan, but overseas too, wherever Urdu is spoken. Writing for TV: Sakina Samoo, a prominent TV actress was among the early fans of Umera Ahmed’s works. For her directorial debut in 2004, she asked Umera Ahmed to write the script for her first drama serial. Thus, Wujood e Laraib got aired on Indus Vision and earned many awards, including best writer for Umera Ahmed. She then proceeded to adapt her novel, Darbar e Dil into a telefilm, which was on aired on PTV in the same year, for channel’s drama festival . Between, 2006 and 2009, Umera continued writing many original screenplays as well as adaptations of her novels into dramas and telefilms for TV. These projects included Amar Bail, Thoda sa Aasman, Malal, La Haasil, Man o Salwa, and Doraha. Man o Salwa got Lux Style Awards’ best serial award for 2006. Her novel turned drama Thoda Sa Aasman earned her the best serial award for terrestrial network in Lux Style Award in 2007. She again received a best serial award for Malaal in 2009 and the best writer Pakistan Media Award for Malaal in 2010. She describes scriptwriting not as nearly enjoyable as writing novels . Despite this, her novel-turned-drama serial Meri Zaat Zarra e Be Nishan proved to be the most popular drama serial of the year and earned her another best writer Lux Style Award in 2011. Her 2013 project, another novel-turned-drama serial Zindagi Gulzar Hai, topped the charts with each passing episode and the finale of the drama set new rating records when it earned a whopping 9.5 TRP. After Zindagi Gulzar hai she wrote few other projects Kankar and Mohabbat Subha Ka Sitara Hai. Then she took a break for 4 years and returned to television screen with her mega project Alif in 2019.

Entrepreneurship

• 1.

UA Books:

In 2013, Umera Ahmed launched an online bookstore, UA Books, where people could place online orders for books for home delivery at discounted prices. UA Books delivers globally and also has a brick-and-mortar store in Satellite Town, Gujranwala, Pakistan and Sialkot, Pakistan.

    * 2. 

Alif Kitab Publications Pvt Ltd.:

In 2016, Umera Ahmed, along with her core-team of UA Books, ventured further into her role of an entrepreneur by launching her content-development company, Alif Kitab Publications intended as a launching platform for aspiring Urdu writers, it immediately started branching out to serve new writers with their individual publishing dreams.

• •

Alif Kitab:

The first endeavor of Alif Kitab Publications was Alif Kitab - the digital-publishing platform. It started out as a monthly digital Urdu magazine where new writers could get their works published. It has now developed into Pakistan’s first digital Urdu self-publishing platform where writers can take control of their own publishing needs.

Since its inception in 2016, it has published more than 200 new writers, held regular annual writing competitions, introduced a number of screenplay writers, and works as a training ground for up and coming Urdu writers.

• Bulleted list item

Alif Nagar:

Under the umbrella of Alif Kitab Publications, Alif Nagar is a publishing enterprise where ‘we create and develop interactive Urdu content for kids, along the lines of ‘edu-tainment’.(https://web.facebook.com/pg/alifnagarofficial/about/?ref=page_internal) Alif Nagar was launched a year after Alif Kitab and works under direct supervision of Umera Ahmed. She has also contributed to Alif Nagar as an author. Her collection of books, titled ‘Harf Series’, is a series of fables where each story represents a different letter of Urdu alphabet, so 37 stories for each letter.

Alif Nagar also publishes a monthly magazine of the same name directed for the kids between ages 7-14 years. In addition to publishing a variety of entertainment and eductional books for children, Alif Nagar has also published a training and awareness text, titled ‘Shaoor’ series, aimed at preventing and combating child sexual abuse.

Script Consultancy Umera Ahmed has also been working as a script consultant for many years. She has worked with all major TV channels and production houses in Pakistan. TV serials and plays written under her guidance have gone on to win awards, achieve critical acclaim, and accomplish commercial success. She has helped launch TV careers for many new screenwriters. Following are the projects that was written under consultancy of Umera Ahmed:

• • Daraar – Ary Digital
• • Digest Writer – Hum TV
• • Dooriyan – Hum Sitaray
• • Jhoot – Hum TV
• • Naulakha – TV One
• • Khoat – Ary Digital
• • Abroo – Hum TV
• • Baby – Express Entertainment
• • Amrat aur Maya – Express Entertainment
• • Saanp Seerhi – Express Entertainment
• • Baji Irshaad – Express Entertainment
• • Ishq Main Kaafir – A Plus
• • Gul-o-Gulzar – Ary Digital

Novels:

• 1. La Haasil (2000)
• 2. Imaan, Umeed aur Mohabbat (2001)
• 3. Haasil (2001)
• 4. Amar Bail (2004)
• 5. Peer e Kamil (2004)
• 6. Darbar e Dil (2005)
• 7. Thoda Sa Aasman (2006)
• 8. Man o Salwa (2007)
• 9. Aks (2013)
• 10. Aab-e-Hayat (Sequel to Pir-e-Kamil)
• 11. Alif (2019)

Compilations of Novelettes and Short Stories: 1. Meri Zaat Zarra e BeNishan (2000) 2. Sehar Ik Ista’ara Hai (2001) 3. Main ne Khawabon ka Shajar Dekha Hai (2002) 4. Hum Kahan K Sache The (2003) 5. Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2004) 6. Husna aur Husn Ara (2005) 7. Kankar (2017) 8. Harf se Lafz Tak 9. Mere 50 Pasandeeda Scene Books for Children

• 1. Harf Kahani Series (An Illustrated Series for Children)
• • Aik Tha Ullu Ainak Wala
• • Bibi Batkho
• • Popo Panda
• • Taani Teetar
• • Tiddi aur Tidda
• • Samar ki Guriya Saani
• • Jojo Jugnoo
• • Cheeni Chirya
• • Haasilpur ka Halwayi
• • Khairoo Khargosh
• • Dodo Dumba
• • Dhol Wala Maindak
• • Zaheen Zaal
• • Raju Reech
• • Akkhar Pahar
• • Zalmi Zarafa
• • Zhoyi Azhdaha

Compilations of Plays:

• 1. Wapsi (2006)
• 2. Doraha (2009)
• 3. Uraan (2010)
• 4. Qaid e Tanhai (2010)
• 5. Maat (2012)
• 6. Chaand se Pehle (2012)
• 7. Mira’t ul Uroos

Translations in English:

• 1. The Perfect Mentor
• 2. Hollow Pursuits
• 3. Man-o-Salwa
• 4. Amarbail
• 5. Aks

Translaion in Arabic

• 1. القائد المثالی – Translation of Pir-e-Kamil
• Translations Published in India:
• 1. Nowhere Girl (Translation of Meri Zaat Zarra Benishaan) - 2016
• 2. Love Lasts Forever (Translation of Amarbail) - 2016
• 3. For Love (Translation of Man-o-Salwa) - 2016

TV Serials: Sr. No. Name of the Serial Directed By Channel Year 1. Wujood e Laraib Sakina Samoo Indus Vision 2004 2. Amar Bail Sakina Samoo TV One 2005 3. La Haasil Angeline Malik Hum TV 2006 4. Husna aur Husn Ara Seema Tahir TV One 2007 5. Man o Salwa Babar Javed Hum TV 2007 6. Thoda Sa Aasman Kazim Pasha PTV Karachi 2008 7. The Ghost Babar Javed Hum TV 2008 8. Doraha Mehreen Jabbar Geo Entertainment 2008 9. Malaal Mehreen Jabbar Hum TV 2009 10. Meri Zaat Zarra e Benishaan Babar Javed Geo Entertainment 2009 11. Daam Mehreen Jabbar ARY Digital 2010 12. Qaid e Tanhai Babar Javed Hum TV 2010 13. Uraan Yasir Nawaz Geo Entertainment 2010 14. Maat Amna Nawaz Khan Hum TV 2011 15. Durr e Shehwar Haissam Hussain Hum TV 2012 16. Shehr e Zaat Sarmad Khoosat Hum TV 2012 17. Zindagi Gulzar Hai Sultana Siddiqui Hum TV 2012 18. Kankar Aabis Raza Hum TV 2013 19. Mohabbat Subha Ka Sitara Hai Sakina Samoo Hum TV 2014 20. Alif Haseeb Hasan Geo Entertainment 2019

Single Plays: Sr. No. Name of the Play Directed By Channel Year 1. Darbar e Dil Sakina Samoo PTV 2004 2. Muskura K Geo Arshi Geo Entertainment 2006 3. Bus Ek Love Marriage Sakina Samoo Geo Entertainment 2006 4. Hazar Ka Note Atif Hussain ARY Digital 2010 5. Hai Lau Zindagi Sina Ali Saim Geo Entertainment 2007 6. Daam-e-Mohabbat Nain Maniar TV One 2006/2007 7. Shrine Seema Tahir TV One 2005 8. Sauda Seema Tahir Khan TV One 2005 9. Libaas Mazhar Moin Hum TV 2005 10. Pari Kahani Haissam Hussain Hum TV 2009 11. Aakhri Parinda Haissam Hussain Hum TV 2009 12. Mutthi Bhar Matti Haissam Hussain Hum TV 2008 13. Behadd Asim Raza Hum TV 2012 14. Ek Thi Marium Sarmad Khoosat Urdu One 2017 15. Noor Misbah Khalid Urdu One 2017 16. Laal Haseeb Hasan Geo Entertainment 2019

Radio Plays: • Noor Ka Maskan FM 101 Islamabad, 2002 Films • 5 Rupees (Indian Film Festival) 2016 Upcoming Feature Film • Aan Upcoming Web-Series • Dhoop Ki Deewar • Aik Jhooti Love Story • Jeewan Saathi

Awards Received: Sr. No Category Production Award Year Best Writer Wujood e Laraib Indus Vision Drama Awards 2005

1. Best Young Talent in Scriptwriting Sauda TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006 2. Best Telefilm Sauda TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006 3. Best Serial Amar Bail TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006 4. Best Serial Man o Salwa Lux Style Awards 2007 5. Cash Prize of Rs. 50, 000 Telefilm: Hai Lahu Zindagi Geo Telefilm Festival 2007 6. Best Serial Thoda Sa Aasman Lux Style Awards 2009 7. Best Serial Malaal Pakistan Media Awards 2010 8. Best Writer Malaal Pakistan Media Awards 2010 9. Best Writer Meri Zaat Zarra e Benishan Lux Style Awards 2011 10. Best Serial Shehrezaat Hum TV Awards 2013 11. Best Writer Maat Hum TV Awards 2013 12. Best Writer Zindagi Gulzar Hai Hum TV Awards 2014

Audio Books

• Umera Ahmed published her latest novel AIF as an Audio Book before getting it published in Book form, this becomes Pakistan's first ever popular fiction novel which was published in Audio Book form officially
• This was followed by Audio Book of her Bestseller Novel - Peer-e-Kamil

Both were very well received Awards Nominations: Sr. No Category Production Award Year 1. Best Telefilm Darbar e Dil PTV 786 Festival 2004 2. Best Serial and Best Director Wujood e Laraib Lux Style Awards 2005 3. Best Serial, Best Director, Best Actress La Haasil Lux Style Awards 2006 4. Best Writer Amar Bail TV One Popular Choice Awards 2007 5. Best Serial, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor Man o Salwa Lux Style Awards 2008 6. Best Serial, Best Director, Best Actress Thoda Sa Aasman Lux Style Awards 2009 7. Best Serial, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress Doraha Lux Style Awards 2010 8. Best Serial, Best Director Malaal Lux Style Awards 2011 9. Best Serial, Best Director Daam Lux Style Awards 2011 10. Best Writer, Best Serial Shehrezaat Hum TV Awards 2013 11. Best Writer, Best Serial Maat Hum TV Awards 2013 12. Best Writer Zindagi Gulzar Hai Hum TV Awards 2013

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