Saba Qamar: Fearless Choices and National Honours

Saba Qamar has built a career out of roles other actresses might hesitate to touch. Over more than a decade she has played women on the edge of society's tolerance, and in the process collected the kind of honours that usually go to safer choices.

Quick facts

• Born: 5 April 1984
• Profession: Actress
• Known for: Baaghi, Cheekh, Fraud, and her Hindi film debut Hindi Medium (2017)
• Awards: Two Lux Style Awards, three PTV Awards, a Filmfare nomination, plus the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (2012) and the Pride of Performance (2016)

Against the grain

Qamar's work in Baaghi, a drama about a controversial television host, and Cheekh, a story of revenge and justice, made her one of the most discussed actresses in the country. Fraud (2022) added another sharp turn, mixing family drama with a con artist's game of wits, and her range has kept her among Pakistan's most popular and highest-paid actresses.

Crossing borders

Her Hindi film debut in Hindi Medium (2017) earned her a Filmfare nomination and introduced her to audiences across the border, a rare feat for a Pakistani actress of her generation.

National recognition

The Government of Pakistan honoured her with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2012 and the Pride of Performance in 2016, recognising a body of work that has consistently chosen substance over safety.

Her reputation rests on fearless choices, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.

Where to follow

• Instagram: @sabaqamarzaman
• X: @sabaqamar