Yumna Zaidi: The Most-Awarded Actress of Her Generation

Few actresses in Pakistani television have built a résumé quite like Yumna Zaidi's. In just over a decade she has collected seven Lux Style Awards and two Hum Awards, more Lux wins than any other actress in the country's history, and she has done it by choosing characters that live in uncomfortable places.

Quick facts

• Born: 1989
• Profession: Actress
• Known for: Pyaar Ke Sadqay, Parizaad, Tere Bin, Bakhtawar
• Awards: Seven Lux Style Awards, two Hum Awards

From supporting roles to leading lady

Zaidi first appeared on screen in a supporting role in ARY Digital's domestic drama Thakan (2012), and spent the following seasons playing leads in serials such as the family drama Meri Dulari and the revenge-themed Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi. Each one widened her range: social drama, romantic drama, and the kind of roles that require holding a quiet frame.

The roles that defined a generation

Pyaar Ke Sadqay (2020) paired her with Bilal Abbas Khan in a story about two young people navigating marriage, loss and self-discovery, and became one of the most discussed dramas of its year. Parizaad (2021) turned her into a national name all over again, and Tere Bin (2022) became a cross-border phenomenon that cemented her as one of the most bankable stars of Urdu television. A later turn in the title role of Bakhtawar showed a darker register as well.

Awards and honours

Zaidi's seven Lux Style Award wins include Best Television Actress honours that TV critics cite as some of the finest performances of the past decade, and her two Hum Awards round out one of the most decorated shelves in the industry.

What's next

She remains one of the most sought-after leads in the country, and her next choices are among the most watched casting decisions in Pakistani television.

Regular viewers do not simply watch a Yumna Zaidi drama. They come to it, and stay, because of her.