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Zaira Wasim

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Zaira Wasim
Wasim in 2019
Born (2000-10-23) 23 October 2000 (age 24)
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
OccupationActress
Years active2015–2019
Websitezairawasim.com

Zaira Wasim (born 23 October 2000) is an Indian former 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 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (formerly National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement) in 2017.[1][2]

Wasim made her film debut portraying a young 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 Award for Best Actress (Critics) for the latter. Her last film appearance was in The Sky Is Pink (2019), which garnered her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Wasim announced her retirement from the film industry in 2019.[3]

Early life

Wasim was born on 23 October 2000[4][5] in the Downtown neighbourhood of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India into a Kashmiri Muslim family to parents Zahid and Zarqa Wasim. Her father worked as an executive manager at J&K Bank in Srinagar and her mother is a teacher.[6] She completed tenth grade from St. Paul's International Academy in Sonwar, Srinagar.[7][8]

Career

Wasim with Geeta Phogat, Suhani Bhatnagar and Babita Kumari at the special screening of Dangal

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 Award for Best Actress (Critics) and received her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. 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 to critical acclaim, earning her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Retirement

On 30 June 2019, Wasim announced she would cease her acting career as it conflicts with her religious beliefs and faith.[9][10] In November 2020, Wasim requested fans to take down her pictures from social media as she was trying to start a new chapter in her life.[11]

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[12] 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 voiced their support for Wasim, denouncing her critics.[13][14]

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 the other 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 that she had misinterpreted his tweet, and that he appreciated Wasim's work and meant to discourage "evil and patriarchal notions".[15]

In December 2017, Wasim alleged that she had been harassed mid-air on Vistara flight UK 981 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 with his foot 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 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 had been placed in judicial custody pending a court hearing.[16][17] 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."[18] 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".[19] 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."[20] In January 2020, the accused was found guilty of molesting Wasim and was sentenced to three years in prison.[21] On appeal by the accused in the Bombay High Court, the sentence was suspended until his appeal was fully heard and decided.[22]

Filmography

Year Title Role
2016 Dangal Geeta Phogat
2017 Secret Superstar Insia Malik
2019 The Sky Is Pink Aisha Chaudhary

Accolades

Film Award Category Result Ref.
Dangal 64th National Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [23]
[24]
FOI Online Awards Best Debut Actress Nominated [25]
News 18 Movie Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [26]
Screen Awards Most Promising Debut Actress Won [27]
[28]
Secret Superstar Won
National Child Awards Exceptional Achievement (also for Dangal) Won [29]
[1]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actress Nominated [30]
Best Actress (Critics) Nominated
63rd Filmfare Awards Best Actress Nominated [31]
Best Actress (Critics) Won [32]
FOI Online Awards 2018 Best Actress Nominated [33]
News18 Reel Movie Awards 2018 Best Actress Nominated [34]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Best Actress Nominated [citation needed]
19th IIFA Awards Best Actress Nominated [35]
The Sky Is Pink 65th Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated [36]
FOI Online Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actress Nominated [37]
26th Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated [38]

References

  1. ^ a b "Secret Superstar actor Zaira Wasim receives exceptional achievement award from President Kovind". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Zaira Wasim requests fan pages to remove her pictures; Says 'I am trying to start a new chapter in my life' - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Zaira Wasim shares first pic, 2 years after quitting Bollywood". India Today. 5 October 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Aamir Khan wishes Secret Superstar Zaira Wasim on her birthday". Hindustan Times. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Dangal Star Zaira Wasim's Father Dies. Read Her Tribute". NDTV. PTI. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Kiran Rao thanks Kashmir school for backing 'Dangal' actress". 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  8. ^ "'I wish my parents would praise me but they don't'". Rediff. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Dangal star Zaira Wasim quits films: My relationship with my religion was threatened". India Today. 30 June 2019. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Zaira Wasim announces 'disassociation' from films". The Hindu. PTI. 30 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  11. ^ sofi (23 November 2020). "Zaira Wasim Requests Fans To Take Down Her Pictures From Fan Pages". Kashmir Observer. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  12. ^ "'Islamic State will kill you': Masked men threaten Dangal actress Zaira Wasim in Srinagar". DNA. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  13. ^ "'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim Deletes Controversial Open Letter". The Quint. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Zaira Wasim: Bollywood celebs come out in support of Dangal girl". Hindustan Times. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Dangal star Zaira Wasim spars with sports min Vijay Goel for his hijab tweet". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Dangal actress Zaira Wasim alleges molestation onboard Vistara flight". The Economic Times. 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Zaira Wasim molestation row: Accused's judicial custody extended to December 22". The Economic Times. 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  18. ^ Srinivasan, Madhuvanti (17 December 2017). "Support pours in for 'molestation' accused in Mumbai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Mumbai Police Dismiss Trolls And Stand With Zaira Wasim With This Supportive Tweet". The Times of India. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Minor actor molestation case: Mumbai Police says sufficient evidence against accused, requests restraint in discussions". Daily News and Analysis. 16 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  21. ^ Cherian, Dona (15 July 2020). "Zaira Wasim case: Mumbai man found guilty of molesting minor and former Bollywood actress on flight". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Relief for Man Accused of Molesting Actor After High Court Suspends Sentence Pending Disposal of Appeal". News18. 3 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  23. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  24. ^ "64th National Film Awards: Zaira Wasim wins Best Supporting Actress for Dangal". Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  25. ^ "2nd FOI ONLINE AWARDS, 2017". Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  26. ^ "NEWS18 MOVIE AWARDS 2017". News18.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  27. ^ @StarPlus (31 December 2017). "Congratulations @ZairaWasimmm on winning the most promising newcomer female award! #Dangal #StarScreenAwards" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "Star Screen Awards 2018". Hotstar. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  29. ^ @MinistryWCD (14 November 2017). "Kumari Zaira Wasim: Awarded the #NationalChildAwards for Exceptional Achievement 2017, for his excellence in the field of Performing Arts. #BachpanHaiAnmol" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "2018 Archives – Zee Cine Awards". Zee Cine Awards. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Nominations for the 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018". filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  32. ^ "Critics Best Actor in Leading Role Female 2017 Nominees | Filmfare Awards". filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  33. ^ "3rd FOI ONLINE AWARDS, 2018". Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Reel Movie On Screen Awards 2018 | Best Film, Actor, Actress, Director and More". News18. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  35. ^ "IIFA Awards 2018 Winners". IIFA. Archived from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Nominations for 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  37. ^ "5th FOI ONLINE AWARDS, 2020". Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  38. ^ "26 Star Screen Awards". Hotstar. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
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