Vaneeza Ahmad (; born 24 June 1971) is a Pakistani model, actress, and occasional singer. As a model she has seen success as the face of brands in Pakistan, and is the first Pakistani model to model for Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.
Biography
Early life Ahmad reportedly said to news media that when she was a youngster, the college students those days mostly had three career options – medicine, engineering or teaching. Modelling as a career was not an option for girls back then. Ahmad returned to Pakistan at the age of 18 to attend the Kinnaird College liberal arts university in Lahore and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
While at University, Ahmad started to model casually. Although not much interested in modelling as a career option, she received offers from various fashion designers, some of whom were notable in the Pakistani fashion industry including the likes of fashion designer Nilofer Shahid.
Modelling as a career When designer Nilofer Shahid approached Ahmad, she was unsure of which career to pursue and settled for fashion modeling. In dealings with corporate heads of the entertainment industry, her business acumen was similarly praised.
Vaneeza, the brand Ahmad conceived the brand name Vlawn for her range of lawn fabrics. The collection consisted of nine different lawn prints created by designers that included Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. In March 2006, the collection sold-out in a series of exhibitions. In 2011, she continued with her "VLawn" brand of women's lawn suits.
Acting and acclaim Ahmad made her acting debut in Jamal Shah's controversial saga Kal and has since acted in Marina Khan's Tum Hi Tau Ho, Janey Anjaney and Tum Say Mil Ker; Armaan; Khayal; and Talaash (Pakistani TV series). She played the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah's daughter Dina Wadia in Jamil Dehlavi's 1998 biographical film, Jinnah.
On 16 April 2008, Vaneeza Ahmad was selected as one of the Olympic torch bearers when the torch arrived in Islamabad. She was one of the few selected celebrities to hold the torch in the relay out of the chosen 66.
Personal life She married Islamabad-based businessman Ali Afzal Malik in July 2010 and has two daughters. She also runs her own business. The actress Bindiya and the newscaster Meena Pervaiz are Vaneeza's aunts.
Filmography
Films Year TitleRoleRef1998Jinnah Dina Jinnah
Television
Year Title Role Network NotesTum Se Mil Kar PTV 2000 Tum Hi Tou Ho PTV 2002 Tere Siwa PTV & AAJ TV 2002 Phir Youn Love Hua Indus Vision, PTV & AAJ TV 2002 Sirf Tumhare Liye PTV Suraj Girhan PTV & AAJ TV Zanjeer PTV 2001 Chehrey PTV Achanak2013 Armaan Nida Geo TVTelevision film Aisa Bhi Hota Hai PTV Home Baaghi 2004 Batain Dil Ki PTV Chahatein 2006–2014 Criminal Minds: Beyond Boundaries Agent Vinnie ARY Digital, The Musik, CBS, Star Utsav and Star World IndiaSeasons 1–9 (N/A) Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders CBS 2003 Jaane Anjaane PTV Jannat PTV Home 2008 Khamoshiyan Hum TV 2008 Marina Mornings ARY Digital 2008 Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai TVOne Pakistan 2009 Nestlé Nido Young Stars Na Jaane Keya Ho Gaya PTV 2005 1st Indus Drama Awards Indus TV 2006 Na Tum Apnay Na Dil Mera ARY Digital Telefilm Pyar Ho Jaane Do TVOne Pakistan 2007 Lux Style Awards2010No ReservationsDawn NewsNadia Hussain lounge AKS TV2011Jago Pakistan JagoHum TVMorning With HumHum TV Spotlight TVOne Pakistan Aks Express News E-Tech Express News The Sahir Show Geo TV The Morning Show Express 24/7 TV show 2013 Without Shepherds Self 2014 Veet Miss Supermodel Hum Sitaray and Hum TV Morning With Juggun PTV Home Mazaaq RaatDunya TV 2nd Hum Awards Hum TV 2014–2018 Tonite with HSY Hum Sitaray and Hum TV 2015 Weekend WorldPTV World Good Morning Pakistan ARY Digital The Celebrity Lounge PTV Home 2016 Mehmaan Nawaaz See TV Episode 19 Ek Naya Subah With Farah Hussain A-Plus TV Samaa Kay Mehmaan Samaa TV Sunrise From Istanbul See TV 10 Years of Masala Hum Masala Eidi Sab Ke Liye ARY Zindagi 2017 Miss Veet Pakistan Hum TV and Hum Sitaray Pakistan Ke Liye Geo Geo TV The Morning ShowARY News Breaking Weekend ARY Zindagi 2016–2017 Salam Zindagi ARY Zindagi Pond's Miracle Journey 2018 The After Moon Show Hum TV 2018–2019 Marham Tajwar BOL Network 2019 Breakfeast @ Home PTV Home Star Iftar Urdu 1 G Kay Sang GNN 2019–2020 Ehd-e-Wafa Faryal; Saad's Mother Hum TV 2020 Rising Pakistan PTV Home2021 16 Years LIVE Telebrations Hum TV Hum Women Leaders Award Hum TV GMP Shan-e-SuhoorARY Digital Girlee Talks With Huma GMP Eid Special ARY Digital NCIS: Los Angeles CBS S.W.A.T. CBS 2023 Kuch Ankahi Sofia Agha ARY Digital Subah Se AagayGuestHum News2024Hasna Mana HaiGuestGeo News
TV commercials
(1996) | "Aisa Asar Dekhai Ke Bahar Bhi Dhoke Khai | Tibet Snow (1997) | "Kyun Ke Yeh Dil Ka Mamla Hai" | Habib Oil (2000) | "The World's Best Materess" | Master Celeste Sab Say Ghara Doodh | Haleeb Milk Pepsi Diet | Pepsi Head & Shoulders (2001) | "Express Yourself" | Instaphone Lipton by Unilever (2006) | "Ramzan Mubarak" | Olpers (2006) | "50 Years" | LUX by Unilever (2007) | Brings People Closer | Indigo by Jazz Pakistan (2007) | Subah Bakhair Zindagi | Olpers (2008) Sunsilk by Unilever (2009) Dettol (2010) | "Ghee" | Kissan Oil (2011) | "Prints" | V Lawn (2016) | "Ghizayat Bhara Har Ghoont" | Olpers (2020) | "Khulay To Dil Khulay" | Coca-Cola
Other appearances
Reality Shows
Music videos Song title Co-singer Year "Spring Blossom" 2007 "Yaad" Shehzad Roy 2005 "Na Re Na" Ali Azmat 2003 "Bulleya" Junoon (band) 1999
Accolades Ceremony Category Result 1st Lux Style AwardsBest Model of the Year (female)rowspan="2" 4th Lux Style Awards
See also List of Pakistani models List of Pakistani actresses
References
External links