Rabia Iqbal Khan (Urdu: کبرٰی خان) known by her stage name Kubra Khan (born 16 June 1993), is a British-Pakistani actress who works in Urdu television and films. She made her debut in 2014 with the film Na Maloom Afraad. Khan is described among the nation's highest-paid actresses by the media.[3][4]
Kubra Khan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rabia Iqbal Khan 16 June 1993[1] Multan, South Punjab, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani British[2] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Khan has appeared in successful films such as Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Parwaaz Hai Junoon both (2018), and London Nahi Jaunga (2022).[5][6] Her television work includes the hit dramas, Sang-e-Mar Mar (2016), Alif Allah Aur Insaan (2017), Alif (2019), Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay and Sinf-e-Aahan, both in 2021, and Jannat Se Aagay (2023).[7][8]
Career
Khan's acting debut as well as cinematic debut was marked in 2013 by action-comedy Na Maloom Afraad, where she portrayed Hina, a bank-worker and love interest of the film's main lead, Mohsin Abbas Haider.[9] A reviewer from the Gulf Times found her presence as "almost angel-like" but criticised her unfit and preachy monologue.[10] In 2015, Khan appeared in the Bollywood movie Welcome 2 Karachi.[11][12][13]
She made her television debut in Sang-e-Mar Mar, which aired on Hum TV in 2016. Sadaf Haider of the DAWN Images termed her as one of the breakout star of the serial, noting her "beautifully controlled performance as Shireen".[14] She next appeared in the spiritual-romance Khuda Aur Muhabbat season 2 as a materialistic girl who later develops spiritualism.[15] Khan then essayed the justice seeking marital rape victim in the drama Andaaz-e-Sitam.[16] She concluded the year with a similar role of a rape victim in social drama Muqabil,[16] for which she received Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress nomination at the 17th Lux Style Awards.[17]
She had her first appearance in 2017 in spiritual drama Alif Allah Aur Insaan as a arrogant and pride daughter of a feudal family. She expressed dissatisfaction with her performance.[18] She then played a girl next door in romantic-comedy Shadi Mubarak Ho. Her next portrayal was a brief appearance as a ballsy London-based punjabi window in social drama Daldal.
In 2018, she appeared in the Pakistani films Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 and Parwaaz Hai Junoon, both of which released on 22 August Eid-al-Adha. While reviewing her performance in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn opined that her "cutesy aura befitting her role".[19]
She returned to television in 2019 with spiritual-romance Alif, portraying Husn-e-Jahan, a renowned Pakistani cinema actress who abandones her career to marry a calligrapher's son. Describing the project as "most memorable" for her, Khan reflected that she gave "heart and soul to Alif."[20]
In 2022, she portrayed Mashal Tahir, an emotionally fragile and insecure university student in psychological-drama Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay based on the eponymous novel by Umera Ahmad. Maria Kari of the DAWN Images found that as Mashal, Khan "packs a punch".[21] Khan then depicted a journalist with her childhood trauma in mystery-drama Sang-e-Mah, pairing opposite Atif Aslam. Her on-screen chemistry with Aslam was praised critically,[22][23] despite her performance being overlooked.[18] The same year, she returned to cinema screens, starring alongside Humayun Saeed in romantic-comedy London Nahi Jaunga as an educated rural Punjabi girl.[24] Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune found her as a "a real surprise package" who "ruled the screen and camera, equally".[25] The performance earned her a nomination of Best Film Actress at the 22nd Lux Style Awards[26]
In 2023, Khan starred as Jannat Ali Khan in ontology drama Jannat Se Aagay as a TV show host whose personal life gets affected due to her stardom, earning decent reviews; Gaitee Ara Siddiqi of The News International stated that she has done "a commendable job" suggesting improvement in dialogue delivery.[27]
Controversy
In 2023, reports emerged alleging that the Pakistan Army, under the direction of former COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa and former DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed, employed actresses to entrap and blackmail politicians in the country. These claims were made by retired Major Adil Raja, who suggested that actresses were used to produce compromising videos and were housed in safe houses connected to the ISI. One of the actresses named in the allegations was Kubra Khan who denied these claims, describing them as unfounded.[28][29]
In response to the allegations, Khan, also threatened legal action against Adil Raja for defamation.[30] Raja subsequently issued an apology to Khan, clarifying that his intention was not to target women but to highlight broader systemic issues.[31]
Filmography
Films
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Na Maloom Afraad | Hina | ||
| 2014 | The Conversations | Perfect girl | British short film | |
| 2015 | Welcome 2 Karachi | Asma | Hindi film | |
| 2018 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 | Selina | [32] | |
| 2018 | Parwaaz Hai Junoon | Fiza | ||
| 2019 | Superstar | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Dhadak Bhadak" | |
| 2022 | London Nahi Jaunga | Arzoo | [33][34] | |
| 2024 | Abhi | Mariam | [35] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sang-e-Mar Mar | Shireen | Debut | |
| 2016 | Khuda Aur Muhabbat | Sarah | ||
| 2016 | Muqabil | Parisa | ||
| 2017 | Andaaz-e-Sitam | Aayat | ||
| 2017-2018 | Alif Allah Aur Insaan | Nazneen | ||
| 2017 | Shaadi Mubarak Ho | Zoya | ||
| 2019 | Alif | Husn e Jahan | [36] | |
| 2021 | Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay | Mashal | [37] | |
| 2021-2022 | Sinf-e-Aahan | Mahjabeen Mastan | [38] | |
| 2022 | Sang-e-Mah | Sheherzaad | [39] | |
| 2023 | Jannat Se Aagay | Jannat Ali Khan | [40] |
Telefilm
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Laal | Samira | Telefilm[41] |
| 2019 | Raja Ki Chandni | Chandni | Telefilm[42] |
| 2021 | Absolutely Knot | Aania | Telefilm |
| 2022 | Afrah Tafreeh | Khushi | Telefilm |
Music videos
- Hamesha by Soch Band. (2013)
- Ki Kenda Dil by Rajveer (2013)
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | Daldal | Preet | Guest appearance |
| 2019 | Choti Choti Batain | Sana | Episode 4 |
| 2019 | Pakistan Star | Judge | Reality Show |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Work | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lux Style Awards | ||||
| 2018 | Muqabil | Best Television Actress | Nominated | [17] |
| 2022 | Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay | Best TV Actress (Critics' Choice) | Nominated | [43] |
| 2023 | London Nahi Jaunga | Best Film Actress (Viewers' Choice) | Nominated | [26] |
| ARY Viewer's Choice Awards | ||||
| 2017 | Muqabil | Best Newcomer Female | Won | |
| Hum Awards | ||||
| 2017 | Sang-e-Mar Mar | Best On-screen Couple Jury | Nominated | [44] |
| Best Onscreen Couple Popular | Nominated | [45] | ||
| Best New Sensation - Female | Won | |||
| 2018 | Alif Allah Aur Insaan | Best Actor Female Jury | Nominated | [46] |
| Best Actor Female Popular | Nominated | |||
| Best On-screen Couple Jury | Nominated | |||
| Best On-screen Couple Popular | Nominated | |||
| International Pakistan Prestige Awards | ||||
| 2017 | Sang-e-Mar Mar | Best Actress (Television) | Nominated | [47] |
| 2018 | Alif Allah Aur Insaan | Best TV Actress | Nominated | [48] |
References
- ^ Alavi, Omair (12 March 2018). "Did you know: Kubra Khan was offered the lead role in 'Verna'". GLAM Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ Sarym, Ahmed (24 February 2018). "I've lost the will of going to Bollywood: Kubra Khan". The Express Tribune. Karachi. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "From Mahira Khan to Kubra Khan: Highest paid Pakistani actresses". DNA India. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Check out the list of the 9 Highest paid Pakistani actresses". News18 India. Retrieved 21 December 2022. oo
- ^ Zakir, Fatima. "Watch out for the 'Show Queens'". The News International. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "Na Maloom Afraad's actress will make Bollywood debut". the Nation. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Zia, Iman (20 June 2019). "This Contestant Dragged Judge Kubra Khan For Critiquing His Singing When She Can't Sing Herself And It Got Awkward Real Fast". MangoBaaz. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ Saeed, Mehek. "Catching up with Kubra Khan". The News International. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "From Na Maloom To Being Somebody!-Nabeel Qureshi talks about his successful journey into films". The News Sunday. 21 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "Pakistani film Na Maloom Afraad a possible game-changer". Gulf Times. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
- ^ "Na Maloom Afraad's Kubra Khan to make Bollywood debut with 'Welcome to Karachi'". Dawn. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Rabia Khan reason behind Irrfan's exit from Vashu's film". The Times of India. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Na Maloom Afraad se Welcom to Karachi!". Dawn News. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Sadaf Haider (10 March 2017). "TV drama Sang-e-Marmar is a necessary critique of Pakistan's obsession with 'ghairat'". DAWN Images.
- ^ "Kubra Khan talks about her characters never finding love in projects". The Express Tribune. 18 May 2022.
- ^ a b Mahwash Ajaz (24 April 2017). "The changing face of Pakistani dramas". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Lux Style Awards 2018: And the nominations are..." The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ a b "No regard for mental health: Kubra says Pakistani people have trend of belittling, trolling people". The Express Tribune. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (2 September 2018). "The Icon Review: The Power Of Three".
- ^ "I gave it my heart and soul: Kubra Khan declares 'Alif' her most memorable project". The Express Tribune. 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Review: Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay was a total disappointment". DAWN Images. 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Atif Aslam and Kubra Khan: The new onscreen couple in town". The Express Tribune. 2 February 2022.
- ^ Syeda Zehra (22 December 2022). "Best of 2022: On screen couples that won our hearts". Archived from the original on 22 December 2022.
- ^ "5 of the most anticipated films of 2020". The News International. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Rafay Mahmood (20 July 2022). "Review: 'London Nahi Jaunga' is a thoroughly entertaining apology by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar". Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Lux Style Awards 2023 nominations out now: Pasoori, Joyland, Mere Humsafar reign supreme". The Express Tribune. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Gaitee Ara Siddiqi (20 August 2023). "The 'ratings' challenge". The News International. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Kubra, Sajal, Mehwish break silence on allegations by Adil Raja". The Express Tribune. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Sex and Spies: Has Pakistan army been using actors to honey trap politicians?". Firstpost. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Images Staff (3 January 2023). "Kubra Khan threatens to sue YouTuber Adil Raja for defamation". Images. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Adil Raja apologizes to Kubra Khan for distress caused by his allegations". thefrontierpost. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Kubra Khan joins the cast of Jawani Phir Ani 2". Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ "Humayun Saeed confirms London Nahi Jaunga will come on Eid ul Azha this year". Something Haute. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "'London Nahi Jaunga' trailer is finally out!". Daily Times. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Javeria (15 May 2024). "Pakistani Movie "Abhi" will Release on Eid ul Adha 2024". Fusion Pakistan. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan to star in 'Alif'". The Express Tribune. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Usman Mukhtar to star opposite Mahira and Kubra in his next". Daily Times. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Sajal Aly, Kubra Khan display valor in Sinf-e-Aahan first look". The News. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir and Kubra Khan's drama Sang-e-Mah to premiere first episode in cinemas". Images by Dawn. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Irfan ul Haq (3 September 2022). "Kubra Khan, Gohar Rasheed, Ramsha Khan and Talha Chahour to share the screen for Haseeb Hassan's upcoming drama". Dawn Images. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ NewsBytes. "Bilal Abbas Khan to essay a Navy officer in his next, Laal". The News International. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ Haq, Irfan Ul (4 June 2019). "Mohsin Abbas Haider tries to woo Kubra Khan in telefilm Raja Ki Chandni". DAWN. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "LSA 2022: And the nominees are". 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Sang-e-Mar Mar and Udaari win big at the Hum Awards 2017". DAWN Images. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Hum Awards 2017 reveals nominations". The Nation. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "The 2018 Hum Award Nominations Are Out and We're Surprised That They're Actually Deserving". 27 June 2018.
- ^ "International Pakistan Prestige Awards Nominations Revealed!". 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Nomination & Voting 2018". IPP Awards. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
External links
- Kubra Khan at IMDb