Jump to content

Zaira Wasim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 216.15.25.127 (talk) at 00:38, 27 January 2021. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Zaira Wasim
Wasim at an event in 2017
Born (2000-10-23) 23 October 2000 (age 24)
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationActress
Years active2016—2019[1]

Zaira Wasim (born 23 October 2000) is a former Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. The recipient of numerous accolades, including a Filmfare Award and a National Film Award, Wasim was honoured with the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement by Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, at a ceremony in New Delhi in 2017.[2]

Wasim made her film debut with the role of wrestler Geeta Phogat in the biographical sports film Dangal (2016), which emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film, grossing more than ₹2,000 crore ($300 million) worldwide. She then starred as an aspiring singer in the musical drama Secret Superstar (2017), which became the highest-grossing Indian film with a female protagonist. Both were backed by Aamir Khan Productions and earned her numerous accolades including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the former and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress for the latter. Her last film appearance was in The Sky Is Pink (2019), which garnered her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination despite underperforming commercially.

Personal life

Zaira Wasim was born on 23 October 2000[3][4] to a Muslim family in downtown Srinagar to Zahid and Zarqa Wasim. Her father works as an Executive Manager at J&K Bank, Srinagar and her mother is a teacher. Zaira completed tenth grade from St. Paul's International Academy in Sonwar, Srinagar.[5][6]

Career

Wasim at Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's wedding reception

In June 2015, Wasim was signed by director Nitesh Tiwari to make her film debut with the biographical sports film Dangal (2016). Principal photography of the film began in September 2015 and she finished her part in December the same year. The film, which narrated the story of pehlwani amateur wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan) who trains his two daughters Geeta (Wasim) and Babita (Suhani Bhatnagar) to become India's first world class female wrestlers, received positive reviews from critics and emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, earning more than ₹20 billion ($300 million) worldwide. For her performance, Wasim received positive comments as well as several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

The following year, Wasim found her breakthrough role in Advait Chandan's directorial debut Secret Superstar (2017), a musical drama about the story of Insia Malik (Wasim), a 15-year-old teenager who aspires to be a singer. Co-starring with Aamir Khan, Meher Vij, and Raj Arjun, Wasim garnered critical acclaim for her performance and the film eventually emerged as her second consecutive release to earn over ₹9 billion (US$110 million) worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing Indian film (after Dangal and the 2015 film Bajrangi Bhaijaan) and the highest-grossing Indian film featuring a female protagonist. In addition to several other accolades for the film, Wasim won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress and received her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. In November 2017, politician Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, honoured her with the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, for her performances in both Dangal and Secret Superstar.

As of March 2019, Wasim has completed shooting for her next film The Sky Is Pink, the biopic of motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary, a 19-year-old girl who died from pulmonary fibrosis. Co-starring Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar, the film was released in India on 11 October 2019.

On 30 June 2019, Wasim announced she would be leaving her acting career because it conflicted with her religious beliefs.[7][8]

Controversies

In 2016, publicity photos of Wasim surfaced showing her with trimmed hair for her role in the film Dangal. This resulted in her being trolled online for having been "un-Islamic" by acting in a film. In January 2017, a local news organisation published the news and photos of her meeting with then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. This resulted in further criticism and Wasim receiving death threats[9] because Mufti had described Wasim as a "Kashmiri role model". In response, Zaira issued an apology on her Facebook and Instagram account which she deleted shortly after. But not before the message was picked up and publicised by news media which added further fuel to the controversy. Subsequently, several Indian celebrities have voiced their support for Wasim, denouncing her critics.[10][11]

In January 2017, Indian sports minister Vijay Goel tweeted a message "Our daughters are breaking out of their cages and moving forward", accompanied by a photo of him standing before a painting depicting two women – one in a hijab and another cowering in a cage. Wasim responded to Goel requesting him not to connect her to "such a discourteous depiction" and that women in hijab were "beautiful and free". Goel responded saying that she had misinterpreted his tweet, he appreciated Wasim's work and meant to discourage "evil and patriarchal notions".[12]

In December 2017, Wasim alleged that she had been harassed mid-air on an Air Vistara flight UK981 between Delhi and Mumbai. She posted a series of messages on her Instagram profile alleging that a man sitting behind her on the flight had caressed her neck while she was asleep. She also wrote that she had tried to record what the man was doing, but failed due to dim lights. The airline issued an apology on the issue and released a statement saying that a detailed investigation would be conducted. The accused, Vikas Sachdeva of Chandivli in Mumbai was subsequently arrested and charged under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), given Wasim was a legal minor. The accused's wife claimed her husband had been resting when his leg accidentally touched Wasim and that he had apologised before getting off the plane at the Mumbai airport, which the actress had acknowledged. The suspect has been placed in judicial custody pending a court hearing.[13][14] There has been support for the accused in the form of a signature-campaign by his neighbours and on social pages with pages like ‘Justice for Vikas Sachdeva’.[15] Wasim subsequently became a target of internet trolling, which has been criticised by the Mumbai Police, stating in a tweet, "It is the Constitutional right of every victim to report sexual abuse and it is our duty to take cognizance, investigate & facilitate justice. Kindly refrain from being judgmental and #Respect the Right of a Victim of a Sexual Assault".[16] In a statement included with the tweet, the Mumbai Police also stated, "Our action against the accused is backed by sufficient evidence against him and it has been under the scrutiny by the court of law."[17] In January 2020, the accused was found guilty of molesting Wasim and was sentenced to three years in prison.[18] On appeal by the accused in the Bombay High Court, the sentence was suspended until his appeal is fully heard and decided.[19][20]

On May 2020, Wasim quoted from the Quran after the locust attacks in parts of the country. In her now-deleted tweet, Wasim quoted the verse, “So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance- a people given to sin -Qur’an 7:133 (sic).” Soon after, netizens trolled her, brutally alleging that she was justifying a heinous environmental crisis using religious text. Some criticised her for being insensitive to the loss of human lives. Following the backlash, she disabled her social media accounts and resumed back after a short period of time.[21]

Filmography

Year Title Role Director Notes
2016 Dangal Geeta Phogat Nitesh Tiwari National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement
Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut
2017 Secret Superstar Insiya Malik Advait Chandan Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress
2019 The Sky Is Pink Aisha Chaudhary Shonali Bose Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal Best Supporting Actress Won [22][23]
Filmfare Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal Best Female Debut Nominated
2018 Secret Superstar Best Actress Nominated [24]
Best Actress (Critics) Won [25]
2020 The Sky Is Pink Best Supporting Actress Nominated
International Indian Film Academy Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2018 Secret Superstar Best Actress Nominated [26]
Star Screen Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal Most Promising Newcomer (Female) Won [27][28]
Secret Superstar
2019 The Sky Is Pink Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Zee Cine Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2018 Secret Superstar Best Actor – Female (Jury's Choice) Nominated [29]
Best Actor – Female (Viewer's Choice) Nominated
National Child Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal
Secret Superstar 		Exceptional Achievement Won [30][2]
News 18 Movie Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal Best Supporting Actress Won [31]
2018 Secret Superstar Best Actress Nominated [32]
Big Zee Entertainment Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Dangal Best Child Artist Won [33]
Lux Golden Rose Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Secret Superstar Emerging Beauty of The Year Won [34][35]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2018 Secret Superstar Best Actress Nominated [36]

References

  1. ^ "Zaira Wasim announces 'disassociation' from films". The Hindu. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Secret Superstar actor Zaira Wasim receives exceptional achievement award from President Kovind". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Aamir Khan wishes Secret Superstar Zaira Wasim on her birthday". Hindustan Times. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Secret Superstar actor Zaira Wasim on her birthday: I believe in destiny a lot, that will take me where I'm supposed to go". The Indian Express. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Kiran Rao thanks Kashmir school for backing 'Dangal' actress". 9 December 2015.
  6. ^ "'I wish my parents would praise me but they don't'". Rediff. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Dangal star Zaira Wasim quits films: My relationship with my religion was threatened". India Today. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Zaira Wasim announces 'disassociation' from films". The Hindu. PTI. 30 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 June 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. ^ "'Islamic State will kill you': Masked men threaten Dangal actress Zaira Wasim in Srinagar | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  10. ^ "'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim Deletes Controversial Open Letter". The Quint. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Zaira Wasim: Bollywood celebs come out in support of Dangal girl". hindustantimes.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Dangal star Zaira Wasim spars with sports min Vijay Goel for his hijab tweet". hindustantimes.com. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Dangal actress Zaira Wasim alleges molestation onboard Vistara flight". The Economic Times. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Zaira Wasim molestation row: Accused's judicial custody extended to December 22". The Economic Times. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  15. ^ "support pours in for molestation accused". The Hindu.
  16. ^ "Mumbai Police Dismiss Trolls And Stand With Zaira Wasim With This Supportive Tweet". India Times. 20 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Minor actor molestation case: Mumbai Police says sufficient evidence against accused, requests restraint in discussions". Daily News and Analysis. 16 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Zaira Wasim case: Mumbai man found guilty of molesting minor and former Bollywood actress on flight".
  19. ^ "Vikas Sachdeva gets relief in mid-air molestation case involving former actor". Republic World. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Relief for Man Accused of Molesting Actor After High Court Suspends Sentence Pending Disposal of Appeal". News18. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Zaira Wasim Deletes Twitter, Instagram Accounts After Backlash Over Post on Locust Attacks". News18. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  22. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  23. ^ "64th National Film Awards: Zaira Wasim wins Best Supporting Actress for Dangal". Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  24. ^ "Nominations for the 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018". filmfare.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Critics Best Actor in Leading Role Female 2017 Nominees | Filmfare Awards". filmfare.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  26. ^ "IIFA Awards 2018 Winners". IIFA.
  27. ^ "Zaira Wasim - Most Promising Newcomer". Twitter.
  28. ^ "Star Screen Awards 2018". Hotstar.
  29. ^ "2018 Archives - Zee Cine Awards". Zee Cine Awards. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Kumari Zaira Wasim: Awarded the NationalChildAwards for Exceptional Achievement 2017". Twitter.
  31. ^ "Movie Awards 2017: News18 Movie Awards 2017 Nominees, Latest New". News18. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  32. ^ "Reel Movie On Screen Awards 2018 | Best Film, actor, actress, Director and More". News18. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  33. ^ Reporter (31 July 2017). "Winners of Big Zee Entertainment Awards 2017". Total Reporter. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  34. ^ "Lux Golden Rose Awards - Zaira Wasim". Twitter.
  35. ^ "Lux Golden Rose Awards". The Indian Express. 11 December 2017.
  36. ^ "Indian Film Festival Melbourne". www.iffm.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zaira Wasim.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zaira_Wasim&oldid=1002998442"