Yumna Zaidi, born on July 30, 1989, in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, is a prominent Pakistani actress known for her work in the Urdu television industry. She has earned multiple accolades, including five Lux Style Awards and a Hum Award out of eight nominations.
Zaidi began her acting career with a supporting role in ARY Digital's drama "Thakan" in 2012. She then played lead roles in several TV series, including "Meri Dulari" and "Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi" (2013), the latter earning her a Hum Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She gained widespread recognition for her role as a troubled wife in "Rishtay Kuch Adhooray Se" (2014), which earned her nominations for the Hum Award for Best Actress and Best Actress Popular.
Zaidi continued to impress with diverse roles in dramas like "Mausam" (2014), "Jugnoo" (2015), "Zara Yaad Kar" (2016), and "Yeh Raha Dil" (2017). Her portrayal in "Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila" (2017), "Inkaar" (2019), "Pyar Ke Sadqay" (2020), "Dil Na Umeed To Nahi" (2021), and "Bakhtawar" (2022) received critical acclaim, with the latter three earning her Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress.
Zaidi's early screen debut was in ARY Digital's "Thakan" (2012), followed by a leading role in "Khushi Ek Roag." She then appeared in "Teri Raah Main Rul Gai" on Urdu 1, opposite Samiya Mumtaz and Sami Khan. Her roles in "Meri Dulari" (2013) and "Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi" (2013) garnered praise, with the latter earning her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Hum Awards.
Her acclaimed performance in "Rishtay Kuch Adhooray Se" (2013) established her as a leading actress in Pakistan. She also appeared in special roles in "Sannata" (2013) and "Kis Se Kahoon," alongside Sajal Ali and Agha Ali. Zaidi gained wider recognition with roles in "Mausam" (2014), "Madawa" (2015), "Guzaarish" (2015), "Jugnoo" (2015), "Kaanch Ki Guriya" (2015), "Paras" (2015), and "Aap ki Kaneez" (2015), earning several Best Actress nominations.
In 2016, Zaidi starred in "Zara Yaad Kar" and in 2017, she appeared in "Yeh Raha Dil," playing Hayat, whose on-screen chemistry with Ahmed Ali was praised. She later starred in "Pinjra" and played Sila in "Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila," a role that earned her critical acclaim for portraying a victim of sexual harassment.
From 2018 to 2019, Zaidi appeared in "Pukaar," "Dil Kiya Karey," and "Inkaar," and made special appearances in "Choti Choti Batain" and "Ishq Zahe Naseeb." She also starred in the telefilm "Shaadi Impossible."
Zaidi made her film debut with the role of an aspiring cricketer in "Nayab" (2024). However, the film received negative reviews, and her performance was not well received. The film eventually became a box-office bomb.
