Veena Malik (born Zahida Malik on 26 February 1978) is a Pakistani actress, model and comedian. She has established herself as one of the leading women in the Pakistani television and film industry with her abilities to mimic others and improvise.
Malik has also worked as a representative at the World Health Organisation for two years and sponsors a child at the SOS Children's Village, an NGO based in Pakistan working with orphaned children. She also featured as a housemate in the Indian reality television show Bigg Boss 4.
- Early life
Veena was born on 26 February 1978 in Gujjrat, to Aslam Malik, a Pakistan Army soldier, and his wife, Zeenat Malik. The family settled in Gujjrat after her birth. Her grandmother named her Zahida, but her family insisted on keeping Veena as her first name. Her father often remained away from home, so she was brought up by her grandmother and mother until she was in her late teens when her grandmother died. Malik grew up expressing an interest in joining the film industry and her grandmother decided to encourage her. Her father however disliked the idea and pondered over his daughter's fate in an industry that was deemed unsuitable for girls in Pakistan and initially resisted his daughter's attempts to pursue a career in entertainment. However, she continued to receive support from her grandmother despite the disapproval of many family members.
- Films
Veena, 5th from left, at the launch of her film, Mohabbatan Sachiyan at the Gulistan Cinema, Lahore.
Coming from a conservative Muslim family, she faced great adversity from members of her family, especially her father, on her decision to join show business. Before starting her career off as an actress, Malik worked as a comedian for several televisions shows and series. She made her acting debut alongside Shaan and Zara Sheikh in Askari's Tere Pyar Mein (2000), which did well at the box office. She played a supporting role in the film and was barely acknowledged. However, she appeared in a supporting role in Javed Sheikh's Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa (2002); the film was a commercial success.
In 2003, Malik appeared in Indo-Pak cross venture Punjabi film Pind Di Kuri which failed to do so well, however, the film turned out be the first Indo-Pak venture film with a budget of approximately 70 million rupees. She also appeared in Askari's Sassi Punno (2003) alongside Sana and Moammar Rana, however the film failed to do well at Lahore's cinemas and further screenings had stopped in cinemas after a week of its release. She then appeared in Rafique's Jageer, which was considered a flop at the box office.
In 2005, she appeared in Punjabi short film "Bau Badmash" (2005) which didn't garner any recognition due to the lack of big stars. She then appeared in Khan's Koi Tujh Sa Kahan (2005) which was a commercial success in Pakistan.
She continued to appear in many films such as Wapsi (2006), Packton Yaar (2006), Sozam Peh Angar (2006) and Anjaam (2007), however none of these films made a mark in Pakistani cinema. In 2007, she won her first Lux Style Award for being the most stylish celebrity on the red carpet.
In 2008, Malik appeared in Rafique's Punjabi film, Mohabbatan Sachiyan, alongside ex-fiancee Babrik Shah and newcomers Maria Khan and Adnan Khan. The film went on to become a commercial success. The same year, she appeared in Raza's Kabhi Pyaar Na Karna in a supporting role, but the film was a flop. Her last film of 2008 was Altaf's Ishq Beparwah which also failed to impress the audience.
In 2010, she worked in Rafique's Main Jeena Tere Naal, and Beyg's debut comedy film Miss Duniya.
- Television
Malik has usually been cast as a supporting actor. It is unclear if she herself stayed clear of the leading roles or was denied them. Industry enthusiasts say that the only genre she was good at was 'comedy' and the directors failed to create a leading role around her acting skills. The criticism was taken well by her and she began to hone her skills even more in comedy.
In 2002, she was called by Prime TV to host a show called Prime Gupshup for them ushering a new direction for her comedic skills and she improvised on the hour-long show occasionally mimicking actors. The show's format was such a great success added with the charisma that she brought with her, resulting in offers from various other channels as well. She hosted the Geo TV show Hum Sub Umeed Say Hain, in which she was hailed for her comedic parodies.
Veena Malik performing to the tunes of Naheed Akhtar at the Lux Style Awards 2007.
In 2007, she graced the red carpet event of the Lux Style Awards and was awarded as being the ‘most stylish celebrity on the carpet’.
In September 2010, Malik was approached to become part of the Indian television reality show, Bigg Boss Season 4, hosted by Salman Khan. She accepted the offer and remained a part of the show that started on October 3, 2010. She was evicted two weeks before the finals.
- Personal life
She currently resides in Lahore. Early in 2008, rumours of her suffering a heart-attack were revealed to be exaggerations, and she was diagnosed instead with a mildly serious form of tachycardia. In an interview, she described her turmoil during the time of her illness. It was subsequently reported that she prepared her will, and entrusted it to her sister.
In 2009, media reports alleged that Malik has married cricketer, Mohammad Asif in a court in London, England. However, this was denied by both of them, despite pictures revealing their affection towards each other. Later, Asif got married to Sana Hilal in Lahore on 2 March 2010.
During her time on Bigg Boss, she became close with housemate Ashmit Patel and there is a possible relationship between the two however neither of their representatives have confirmed this.
Source: wikipedia.org
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