Latest news with #Nayab
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yumna Zaidi through her mother's eyes
Actor Yumna Zaidi recently shared a photograph on her Instagram account, captured by her mother, Shabana Naheed Zaidi. In the image, Yumna is seated stylishly against a serene backdrop, dressed in black trousers paired with a beige high-neck and a cosy shawl. She captioned the post: "Who can beat the photos my Ammi takes of me?" Adding a sweet postscript, she wrote, "I feel this is how she sees me: 'beautiful' and 'clean.'" The post garnered significant attention from fans, who praised Yumna's natural beauty and grace. Netizens flocked to the photos, leaving comments that highlighted the natural elegance of the shot and the evident bond between mother and daughter: "Mashallah, very pretty" and "My prettiest baby!" Earlier this year, in an interview, Yumna opened up about the profound impact of losing her father at a young age. She shared that grief has deepened her spirituality and connection with God, stating, "It is during times of grief that I have felt the closest to Allah." She also emphasised the lasting influence of her father's values, including honesty, kindness, and loyalty, which continue to guide her life and career. Yumna's cinematic debut in Nayab has garnered international acclaim. The film, which tells the story of a female cricketer overcoming gender-based challenges, won the Best Feature Film award at the South Asian International Film Festival in Florida. Yumna's portrayal of the titular character earned her the Best Actress award at the same festival. The film also received recognition at the World Film Festival in Cannes, further cementing its success. Beyond her professional achievements, Yumna maintains a close relationship with her family, often sharing moments that reflect her personal life. In January 2022, she posted a heartfelt birthday message for her mother, reciting a poem and expressing deep affection.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Nayab' secures spot in Florida's South Asian Int Film Fest
Umair Nasir Ali's Nayab has been listed amongst the selection for the South Asian International Film Festival of Florida, as per the list of entries shared on the festival's official website. The Pakistani film is part of a collection of twenty-six films, including Shivani Mehra's Me, Raani, Debra Gussin's This Is Our Time, and Ram Kamal Mukherjee's Binodiini. Released in January last year, Nayab stars Yumna Zaidi, Javed Sheikh, and Usama Khan. The sports drama follows the coming-of-age story of Yumna's eponymous character. "In the bustling heart of Karachi, a determined girl harbours a dream to shatter stereotypes and play cricket for Pakistan, while her brother, once a rising star himself, grapples with his past. As they navigate the gritty world of the local cricket scene, their unwavering bond and the city's chaotic past become their greatest allies in this deeply Pakistani tale of ambition, resilience, and family," reads the synopsis. At the one-year anniversary of the release of the film, Umair took to Instagram to reflect on the achievement. "One year ago, Nayab marked a monumental chapter in my journey as a filmmaker. My first feature film, a story that felt right, that resonated deeply," began the director. He added that the project allowed him to hone his craft as a narrative director, helped him focus on helming the storyline, enabled him to work passionately with actors, and all-in-all provided him an emotional experience. "I carried detailed notes for every actor, amplifying their strengths and guiding them to refine areas that needed nuance. Each day on set began with music played not just to set the tone but to block out everything else and focus entirely on execution," he recalled. "I was fortunate to have incredible collaborators, too many to name, but each person took this project as their own, pouring their heart and soul into it," he wrote. "Nayab wasn't just a project; it became a part of me. Over the past year, this film has travelled to places I could only dream of, shining brightly across festivals worldwide." Umair concluded his note with a 'thank you' to Vertical Cinema for putting together a video to celebrate Nayab's one-year anniversary. "It's moments like this that remind me why we do what we do," he wrote.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yumna reconnects with childhood friend on IG
Did you ever know a celebrity before they became a celebrity? One of Nayab star Yumna Zaidi's long-lost childhood friends reached out to the actor on Instagram with a heartfelt note – and got the surprise of her life when the latter remembered who she was and sent an equally emotional reply. "Hi! I'm not sure if you remember me but we used to be neighbours in Sahiwal," wrote one of Yumna's followers, Wajiha, in the comments section of a reel posted on the actor's Instagram handle. Reminding her former friend of their childhood connection, Wajiha continued, "My brothers and I used to play with you and your siblings. I heard you're in Calgary this weekend. We live here! If you see this and want to meet up, let me know." Ending on a poignant note, Wajiha concluded, "We're all always rooting for you and my parents always point you out to me on TV 'tumhari purani dost'." Quick on the uptake, Yumna proved that she did indeed recall Wajiha from her younger days, and penned a sweet note right back, taking care to mention her old playmate's brothers' names to give her response a personal touch. "Hey Wajiha, hope you, Hasan, Zain and everybody [are] well," wrote the Gentleman actor. Harking back to their happy days together, she added, "We had great times together." Owing to her quick turnaround in Canada for her fundraising event, however, Yumna expressed her regrets that she would be unable to pencil in the time to meet her old friend, but did extend an invitation to the fundraiser itself. "Coming here for a very short time for a fundraiser, come [to] the show, would love to see you. Salam to Aunty and Uncle," she finished with a heart emoji. Yumna's words drew praise from her fans on social media, many of whom revelled in the star's willingness to connect with the people who knew her before her showbiz career took off. "This response shows Yumna is a humble being, rare to see such an inside-out beauty!" gushed a fan, adding a heart emoji, with many others echoing similar sentiments in the comments section wherever the interaction was shared. On the work front, Yumna was last seen in the drama Gentleman opposite Humayun Saeed. However, it was her portrayal of the titular character in the film Nayab that catapulted her onto the international stage. Telling the coming-of-age tale of a woman pursuing her passion for cricket, the film gained recognition at the World Film Festival in Cannes in May, as well as the Listapad International Film Festival in Minsk, Belarus last November.
