Abid Ali was a legend and an asset for our country having vast experience of working in different mediums of acting theater, film and television. Abid Ali played many memorable roles and directed/produced quite a few quality dramas in a career spanning over four decades.

Here is everything you need to know about Abid Ali and his family.

Abid Ali

Abid Ali was born and raised in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province but he got fame from dramas of PTV Lahore centre. Abid Ali started his career from Quetta Radio in early 1970’s, which was the sole media opportunity in then small town of Quetta. Pakistan television Quetta center was inaugurated in 1974, but before that Abid had migrated to Lahore which was considered the cultural center of Pakistan. Abid Ali’s first famous play was Jhok Sayal in 1973-74 from PTV Lahore centre. In Jhok Sayal Abid Ali was paired with Humaira Chaudhry. Humaira Chaudhry was a new face at that time, who also provided vocals for few songs in films of that era.

After Jhok Sayal, Abid starred in numerous mega serials of PTV Lahore center like Waaris (1978-79), Hazaron Rastay (1985-86), Piyaas (1987), Suraj Kay Saath Saath (1987), Khawahish (1990) and many others. Abid Ali also worked in many films in supporting and side roles throughout 1980’s and 1990’s.

In 1989, television entered a new era when first private terrestrial channel NTM (Network Television Marketing) was launched thus ending monopoly of PTV over television transmission. NTM encouraged many independent producers to make dramas which introduced television audience to new subjects which otherwise were restricted on PTV. Abid Ali is a prominent name, who invested in infant private drama productions to strengthen its future. Abid Ali produced many successful dramas like Dooriyan(1991), Dasht(1994), Doosra Aasman (1997),Pinjra (1999), Hawa Pe Raqs (2002) most of which were successful.

Abid Ali experimented with new subjects and ideas in all these dramas. Dooriyan was based on a novel of Sidney Sheldon, Dasht was the story of a tribal environment in Balochistan, while Doosra Aasman was first Pakistani drama shot in UAE, which was based on Pakistani expatriates in UAE. Similarly Hawa Pe Raqs was story covering the circus workers. Abid also introduced many new faces through his productions like Atiqa Odho, Asad Malik in Dasht, Nida Mumtaz in Dooriyan, Iman Ali, Zeeshan Sikandar in Pinjra and Moammer Rana in Hawa Pe Raqs. Abid also starred in all these dramas in character roles performing memorable roles of his career.

In early 2000 a new era of private satellite channels started, which provided vast opportunities to television professionals. Abid Ali continued production but unlike 1990’s now he mostly produced commercial stuff mainly soap dramas. Abid Ali partnered another television artist named Syed Mukhtar for the production house Gold Bridge Media. Their production house produced many soaps and serials the most famous of which was Maasi Aur Malika on Geo TV. Abid Ali led an active life right till the end, doing what he loved and even after his demise, his dramas continue to go on air.

Abid Ali’s First Wife

Abid Ali married Humaira Chaudhry in mid 1970’s after success of their drama Jhok Sayal. The couple has three daughters Maryam Ali, Iman Ali and Rehma Ali. Humaira Chaudhry started her career as a singer and also acted in few television plays around 1973-74. Humera’s younger sister Shama Chaudhry was also an artist. Paired with Abid Ali, Jhok Sayal in 1974 was the most successful play of Humaira. After success of Jhok Sayal, many critics predicted a bright career for the Humaira in both films and television. The hit on-screen pair of Jhok Sayal decided to get married. Despite strong opposition from her father, Humaira Ali finally married Abid Ali. Humaira quit acting and singing thus sacrificing her career for this marriage.

Despite few ups and downs mainly due to financial difficulties, both Humaira Ali and Abid Ali always tried their best to keep their family life private by maintaining a distance from media. Humaira made a comeback in singing, when she provided vocals for OST’s and songs of dramas produced by Abid Ali in 1990’s like Dasht and Doosra Aasman.

Humaira and Abid Ali got divorced after Abid Ali got married to Rabia Noreen.

Abid Ali’s Second Wife

Abid Ali got married to television actress Rabia Noreen in January 2006. Rabia Noreen and Abid Ali in one of the shows narrated how they met and why they decided to get married. This was also Rabia Noreen’s second marriage.

Rabia Noreen started her acting career from PTV Karachi center’s drama Zeenat which was written by Fatima Surriya Bajiya. Despite success of Zeenat, Rabia took a break from acting after marriage. Her first marriage was not successful and thereafter she also worked as air-hostess. Rabia returned to acting from drama Babar in 1996 in which she played the role of second wife of Babur (played by Shabbir Jaan). Since her return Rabia mostly appeared in negative roles.

When Abid Ali got married for the second time, Humaira Ali expressed her disappointment in few press interviews. After the second marriage of Abid Ali, his first wife Humaira Ali resumed her acting career in dramas and performed many supporting roles. She played a memorable role in drama Asghari Akbari as BatoolaN. Humaira Ali also played a minor role in film Bol, and later on was seen in many other popular dramas.

Abid Ali’s Daughters

Maryam Ali is the oldest daughter of Abid Ali and Humaira Ali. Maryam is an amateur artist, who worked in few serious theater plays in Lahore. Iman Ali is Abid Ali and Humaira’s middle child. She has been a leading model who is also successful in acting. Iman Ali is known for doing selective work.

Iman Ali started her career from modeling. One of her earliest drama was Pinjra(1999) produced by her father Abid Ali. Her first major introduction was appearance in video of Abrarul Haq’s song Saannu tere naal pyar ho gaya opposite Meekal Zulfiqar. On television Iman appeared in several dramas, mostly in glamorous roles.

Her famous dramas are Jaye Kahan Yeh Dil (Geo Tv), Qismat (Geo TV), Dil Day Ke Jayenge(Geo Tv). Iman’s debut film was critically acclaimed Khuda Ke Liye in 2007. Iman Ali starred with another debutant Fawwad Khan and also won the Lux Style Award in the subsequent year. After Khuda Ke Liye, Iman Ali decided to do selective work and since then has been seen in many notable projects.

The youngest daughter of Abid Ali and Humaira Ali, Rahma Ali is also active in acting and singing. Rehma has worked in several dramas in different roles. Nail Polish was her debut drama on ATV. As a singer Rahma has also been part of Coke Studio Season 7 and recently has sung OST for leading dramas.

 

Rashid Nazir Ali