Aamina Sheikh
Aamina Sheikh | |
|---|---|
Sheikh at an event in 2016 | |
| Born | 28 August 1981 |
| Alma mater | Hampshire College |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Spouse |
Omer Farooqi (m. 2020) |
| Children | 2 |
Aamina Sheikh (Urdu: آمنہ شیخ) is an American-Pakistani actress, songwriter and former fashion model. Sheikh has received critical appreciation for her acting prowess, and has won four Lux Style Awards from nine nominations.
Born in New York City and raised in Karachi and Riyadh, Sheikh studied video production at Hampshire College. After working as an assistant at Curious Pictures, she returned to Pakistan and started her career as a fashion model, during which she was a spokesperson for the French brand L'Oreal and received a Lux Style Award for Best Model nomination. She then featured as the female lead in the 2008 telefilm Baarish Mein Deewar and the Geo TV series Dil-e-Nadan. Sheikh had roles in television productions, including Daam (2010), Maat (2010), Uraan (2010), Mera Saaein (2010), Main Abdul Qadir Hoon (2010), Mera Saaein 2 (2012), Mirat Ul Uroos (2013) and Jackson Heights (2014).
Sheikh made her film debut with the 2012 acclaimed social drama Seedlings. Her performance in the film garnered critical appreciation and earned her many national and international awards, including the Lux Style Award for Best Film Actress, New York Film Festival Award and SAARC Film Festival Award. She achieved further success with her portrayal in the social drama Josh: Independence Through Unity (2014), a critical and commercial success. Sheikh was widely praised for her role and received nominations in the Best Actress category at the Lux Style Awards and the Silent River Film Festival. Her greatest commercial success came with the family drama Cake (2018). In 2015, she served as one of the committee members of the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee.
Personal life
She is an ethnic Sindhi. Sheikh married actor Mohib Mirza in Karachi in 2005.[1] Mirza and Sheikh met on the set of a show which Mirza was hosting and she was directing.[2] In an interview to Jang, Mirza revealed he had a difficult time convincing Sheikh's father to accept his plans for marriage.[2] Mirza and Sheikh have a daughter, Meissa, born in 2015. The couple announced their separation in 2018[2][3] and divorced in 2019.[4] Sheikh remarried to a businessman, Omer Farooqi, in August 2020, and the couple have a son, named Issa, born in 2021.[4]
Career
After returning to Pakistan, Sheikh landed a job with Geo Entertainment, where she directed and produced the children talk show, called Bachey Man Ke Sachey.[5] In 2007, Sheikh made her on-screen debut in Sharjil Baloch and Khalid Ahmed's telefilm, Gurmukh Singh ki Waseeyat. It was based on Saadat Hassan Manto's short story, The Will of Gurmukh Singh.[6] Centered on the events after the partition of India, Sheikh played Sughra, the member of a traumatised family who have left alone in a predominantly Sikh neighborhood.[7] She subsequently garnered international recognition as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand L'Oreal.[8][9]
In 2008, Sheikh appeared in three major telefilms: Aasmaan Chu Lay, Pachees Qadam Pe Maut and Baarish Mein Deewar.[10][11] Sheikh played a rickshaw driver who's determined to become the sole breadwinner of the family, in Syed Ali Raza Usama's "Aasmaan Chu Lay". Sheikh had to learn and drive a rickshaw on Karachi's busiest M. A. Jinnah Road and Garden Area, with a massive camera attached to it and had to attract real passengers.[12] In the same year, Sheikh made her runaway debut with Rehana Saigol's fashion show.[5][13] She has done extensive print work for fashion designers, such as Deepak Perwani, Amir Adnan, Nomi Ansari, Niche Lifestyle, Khaadi, Teejays, The Men's Store, Fahad Hussayn, Hang Ten, Maheen Khan, Umbereen Sharmeen, Chinyere, Crossroads and Limited Edition. In the following year, she did her second photoshoot for Niche Lifestyle, with Atif Aslam.[14] Her appeared in the romantic series Agar Tum Na Hote in 2009. In 2010, Sheikh returned to telefilms depicted the titular role of an enthusiastic athlete based on Naseem Hameed in the biographical-drama Bhaag Amina Bhaag.[7]
In 2012, Sheikh played the titular religiously inclined lower middle-class girl who eventually becomes a famous singer in the drama Umm-e-Kulsoom. Sheikh was praised for her performance, and received a nomination of Best TV Actress - Satellite at the 11th Lux Style Awards.[15] In 2013, she played the lead in the drama Kuch Is Tarah. The performance earned her a nomination of Best TV Actress - Terrestrial at the 13th Lux Style Awards.[16] She achieved further critical and commercial success for her role of portrayal of Zarnab, in the romance Armaan (2013), which earned her a nomination for the Tarang Housefull Award for Best Actress.[8]
In 2011, Sheikh played the role of a grieving mother in Summer Nicks-produced multi award-winning feature film Seedlings and went on to win New York Film Festival Award for Best Actress and SAARC Film Festival Award for Best Actress. She then went on to play the lead in Iram Parveen Bilal's feature art film Josh: Independence Through Unity, before taking on the role of Natasha in the high-octane action spy thriller, 021, produced by Zeba Bakhtiar and directed by Australian filmmaker, Summer Nicks.[17] In 2013, Sheikh was awarded Miss Photogenic Award at the Veet Celebration of Beauty Awards.
In 2016, she played the titular submissive painter housewife in the drama Pakeezah.[18] Due to the unoriginality of the role and the fear of typecasting, Sheikh was initially hesitant to take it and expressed feeling pressured to fulfill others' expectations rather than pursuing her own artistic aspirations.[19]
In 2018, she starred in Asim Abbasi's drama film Cake, alongside Sanam Saeed, which was a major critical and commercial success.[20][21] While praising her performance, along with Saeed's, The Guardian wrote that they, "rank first among equals in an assured ensemble.",[22] while, The Daily Times-based reviewer found that she "amalgamated Zarine’s character really well and made it look believable on screen."[23] The film earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Lux Style Awards.[24][25][26][27]
In 2025, Khan returned to television with the portrayal of an upright and talented lawyer of a rape survivor in the crime-drama Case No. 9.[28]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Love Mein Ghum | Herself | Special appearance in song "Love Mein Ghum" |
| 2013 | Seedlings | Maliha | |
| Josh: Independence Through Unity | Fatima | ||
| Armaan | Zarnab | ||
| 2014 | O21 | Natasha | |
| 2015 | Good Morning Karachi | Mehwish | Cameo appearance |
| 2018 | Cake | Zareen | |
| 2019 | Heer Maan Ja | Nida | Cameo appearance |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Partition Stories | Sughra | PTV Home | Episode "Gurmukh Singh Ki Wasiyat"[7] |
| 2008 | Wilco | Megha | ||
| Qisson Ki Chadar | Aimen | Hum TV | Episode: "Tum Aurat Mein Mard" | |
| Wapsi | ARY Digital | Telefilm | ||
| Mera Naam Hai Muhabbat | Huma | Geo TV | Episode: "Ashiq Pan Shop" | |
| Boltay Afsanay | Razia | TVOne Global | Episode: "Daayin" | |
| 2009 | Dil-e-Nadan | Seema | Geo TV | |
| Agar Tum Na Hotay | Shireen | Indus Vision | ||
| Qisson Ki Chadar | Hajra | Hum TV | Episode: "Ghutan" | |
| 2010 | Haal-e-Dil | Seerat | ARY Digital | |
| Daam | Maliha | |||
| Bhaag Amina Bhaag | Amina | Geo TV | [7] | |
| Saleena | Bushra | ATV | ||
| Tere Liye | Simran | ARY Digital | ||
| Ishq Gumshuda | Neha | Hum TV | ||
| Hum Tum | Ammal | Geo Entertainment | ||
| Uraan | Sana | |||
| Mera Saaein | Naina Wajahat | ARY Digital | ||
| Main Abdul Qadir Hoon | Nell | Hum TV | ||
| 2011 | Maat | Aiman | ||
| Umm-e-Kulsoom | Umm-e-Kulsoom | ARY Digital | ||
| Kuch Kami Si Hai | Asmee | Geo Entertainment | ||
| Mora Piya | Ujala | |||
| Ek Hatheli Pe Hina Ek Hatheli Pe Lahoo | Hijab | |||
| 2012 | Mera Saaein 2 | Naina Wajahat | ARY Digital | |
| 2013–12 | Mirat Ul Uroos | Aiza | Geo TV | |
| 2013 | Silvatein | Zaib | ARY Digital | |
| Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain | Anoushay | Hum TV | Episode: "Gunhagar Dil" | |
| Kuch Is Tarah | Alizeh | PTV Home | ||
| 2014 | Jackson Heights | Salma | Urdu 1 | |
| 2016 | Pakeezah | Pakeeza | Hum TV | |
| 2017 | Khudgarz | Ayera | ARY Digital | [11] |
| 2018 | Nibah | Sofia | ||
| 2025 | Case No. 9 | Beenish Ali | Geo Entertainment | [29] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Title | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Seedlings | New York Film Festival Awards | Best Performance by an Actress | Won |
| SAARC Film Festival Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Won | ||
| 2013 | Armaan | Tarang Housefull Awards | Best On Screen Couple with Fawad Khan | Won |
| Best Actress | Nominated | |||
| Veet Celebration of Beauty Awards | Miss Photogenic | Won | ||
| Maat | Hum Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | |
| Seedlings | Pakistan Media Awards | Best Film Actress | Nominated | |
| Josh: Independence Through Unity | Best Film Actress | Won | ||
| Josh: Independence Through Unity | Silent River Film Festival | Best Actress | Won | |
| 2014 | Seedlings | ARY Film Awards | BestActress | Nominated |
| Best Star Debut Female | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | 021 | Tribune Cine Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| Galaxy Lollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| 2017 | Pakeezah | Hum Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | Cake | Galaxy Lollywood Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role Female | Nominated |
Lux Style Awards
| Ceremony | Category | Project | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Best Emerging Talent in Fashion | N/a | Won |
| 2010[30] | Best Model of the Year (female) | N/a | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Dress Female | N/a | Won |
| Best Television Actress - Satellite | Agar Tum Na Hotay | Nominated | |
| 2012[31] | Umm-e-Kulsoom | Nominated | |
| 2014[32] | Best Television Actress - Terrestrial | Kuch Is Tarah | Nominated |
| Best Dress Female | N/a | Won | |
| Best Film Actress | Josh: Independence Through Unity | Nominated | |
| Seedlings | Won | ||
| 2019 | Cake | Nominated |
See also
References
- ^ Syed, Madeeha (6 December 2009). "Fashionfrontier: The dance of fashion". Dawn News. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b c "Marriage, celebrity style". Jang.com.pk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Aamina Sheikh and Mohib Mirza part ways". The Express Tribune. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Aamina Sheikh confirms her wedding a day after cryptic post".
- ^ a b "There's something about Aamina". The Newsline Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ^ "Gurmukh Singh ki Wasiyat". Video: Channel Unplugged. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Herald exclusive: Back story with Aamina Sheikh". Dawn.com. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Launch of L'Oreal Paris Makeup Studio". Fashion Central PK. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ^ "Profile of Amina Sheikh".
- ^ Images Staff (30 March 2019). "Lux Style Award 2019 nominations are out!". Dawn. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Aamina Sheikh and Sami Khan starrer drama serial is an intense love story - Daily Times". Daily Times. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ "Aamina Sheikh Interview". Mag4u. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- ^ Butt, Rabia. "Who will be Pakistan's next top model?". Instep Dawn. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "Atif and Aamina for Niche". desimanzil.com. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "Lux Style Awards: And the best TV show is..." The Express Tribune. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Up close and personal with the graceful and effortless Aamina Sheikh and why 'Cake' is going to be one delicious treat!". Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ "Chocolate hero's Armaan has big plans for small screen". tribune.com.pk. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ Buraq Shabbir (17 January 2016). "TV plays to watch this season". The News International.
- ^ "I thought very carefully about entering motherhood: Aamina Sheikh". The Express Tribune. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Review: Cake raises the bar for Pakistani cinema and left me wanting more". Images. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ "'Cake' takes a big bite of box office share". The Express Tribune. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Mike McCahill (29 March 2018). "Cake review – Karachi sister act ditches melodrama for real life". The Guardian.
- ^ Haider Rifaat (1 April 2018). "'Cake' is a believable drama film executed to perfection". Daily Times.
- ^ "The unstoppable Aamina Sheikh - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ "Operation 021: It's worth your patience - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ "Aamina Sheikh's first look from 'Cake The Film' is finally here - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ "Lux Style Awards 2019 nominations are out!". Images. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Eefa Khalid (30 September 2025). "Aamina Sheikh's return to TV with Case No. 9 is a case of doing the right thing at the right time". Dawn Images.
- ^ Sadiq Saleem (13 October 2025). "Pakistani actress Aamina Sheikh makes a powerful comeback with 'Case No. 9'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "9th LUX Style Awards". Fashion Central. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Lux Style Awards: A trip down memory lane". The Express Tribune. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Nominees announced for 2014 Lux Style Awards". Dailytimes. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
External links