Resham (actress) Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

ReshamResham is a veteran Pakistani actress, model, and humanitarian. She is a renowned actress in Pakistani Cinema and television dramas. She made her film debut with the Pakistani film “Jeeva” opposite Babar Ali in 1995. She was honoured with the Pride of Performance Award in 2021 by the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, at the President House. She is also known for her charitable works.

Wiki/Biography

Resham was born as Saima Shah [1]YouTube – HUM News on Wednesday, 2 October 1968 (age 54 years; as of 2022) in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.  While growing up in Pakistan, she attended a school in Lahore, where she completed her high school studies. After passing high school, she didn’t pursue higher studies and decided to start her career in acting and modelling. Resham is not only known for her brilliant acting skills but also for her philanthropic acts. She supports various funding campaigns for needy people.

Some childhood photographs of Resham

A collage of childhood pictures of Resham

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 7″

Weight (approx.): 55 kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Figure Measurements: 36-28-38

Full image of Resham

Family

Resham was born into a Muslim Punjabi family.

Parents & Siblings

She lost her parents when she was very young. Her father had died before her birth, and her mother passed away 7 years after her birth. After the death of her mother, she was fostered by her elder sister, Shamim.

Resham with her elder sister Shamim

Resham with her elder sister Shamim

She lost her only brother in 2020. On his first death anniversary, she shared an emotional post on Instagram in his remembrance.

An Instagram Post shared by Resham on the first death anniversary of her Brother

An Instagram post shared by Resham on the first death anniversary of her Brother

Husband/Boyfriend

In 2019, Resham announced her plans for her marriage but didn’t disclose the name of her would-be husband. Later, some rumours were spread about her marriage to a Europe-based businessman, but the actress denied these rumours.

Career

Acting

Films

Resham made her film debut in 1995 with the Urdu Pakistani film “Jeeva,” opposite Babar Ali. In the 1990s, she had become a renowned name in Lollywood. Later, her role as Salma in the film “Jannat ki Talash” was admired by the audience.

Poster for the film 'Janat ki Talash' (1999)

Poster of the film ‘Janat ki Talash’ (1999)

She is also known for her other remarkable roles in the films “Chor Machaye Shor” (1996), “Ghunghat” (1996), “Dupatta Jal Raha Hai” (1998), “Pal Do Pal” (1999), and “Swaarangi” (2015).

Television

At the beginning of her acting career, Resham appeared as a supporting actor in various Pakistani TV dramas. In 1993, she appeared as a lead actress in the drama “Din,” which aired on PTV. She has worked in more than 15 Pakistani dramas. Her role as Zainab in the drama “Man-O-Salwa” (2007) and Ashti in “Aashti” (2009) are considered some of her most remarkable roles. Resham has played two unique roles, i.e., the character of a serpent in the drama “Naagin” as Sajna, and the character of a religious woman in “Noor Bibi” as Noor Bibi; both roles were immensely appreciated by the audience. In 2021, she played the role of Rakhsekamar in the drama “Tehra Aangan” on Express Entertainment.

Resham as Sajna serpent in the drama 'Naagin'

Resham as Sajna serpent in the drama ‘Naagin’

Poster for the drama 'Noor Bibi'

Poster of the drama ‘Noor Bibi’

Charity Work

Donations Made for Flood Affectees

Resham often hit the headlines for her charity work in which she makes huge donations for various causes. In 2010, she helped the victims affected by floods in Pakistan. She sent three trucks through Express Helpline Trust to the affected area, carrying basic foodstuffs. In an interview, she talked about this and said,

The first truck was sent to Rahim Yar Khan. The second is being sent to Kot Addu. The third truck will be sent on Eid for which other actors have also donated. Ahsan Khan has given Rs100,000 and Deedar has donated Rs60,000.” [2]The Express Tribune

In 2022, she visited the flood-affected areas in Charsadda and distributed foodstuffs like mineral water, packed milk, and dry fruits to the affected people. She also distributed the cooked rice to more than 2,000 people. [3]Dawn

Moreover, she is often seen preparing langer in her garden for needy people. In the Icon Interview with Dawn, she shared,

I get so much satisfaction from cooking for the people who I know don’t have much to eat,”. She added, “I want to go and cook at holy places, and give to the poor there as well. It is my dream to do so.” [4]Dawn

Helped the Unemployed Lollywood Artists

In 2011, she distributed a small amount of Rs 2,000-5,000 to unemployed Lollywood artists and to needy widows of actors in Ramzaan. In an interview, she talked about this and said,

 Rs5,000 is not a huge amount, but at least it will help these artists to survive a few days of Ramazan now, when they do not have any source of earning,” [5]The Express Tribune

Helped an abandoned girl child

A girl child, around 8 years old, was found in front of the hotel of Resham’s sister in 2010. The actress took responsibility for the child’s education and living expenses. Resham shared in an interview that she had experienced financial difficulties as she lost her parents in childhood. She said,

 I’m handing her over to the Child Protection Bureau but I will bear all the expenses. But if her parents can hear me, my appeal is to take her back since the child is very sad and scared. She is missing her family. If financial problems are the only issue, which is why they left her at the hotel, I promise to bear all the expenditures till the day she is married. I want her to be with her family. I can relate to her feelings since my parents passed away when I was very young. It was my elder sister who raised me after them.” [6]The Express Tribune

Controversies

Trolled for throwing plastic bags into the river

In a video clip, Resham is seen feeding meat and bread to the fish while on her way to Charasadda to help with the flood affectees. The video also shows her throwing plastic bags and utensils into the river, which was criticised by the people. Resham was heavily trolled on social media for this act. Although she later apologized for her actions, she said that people should highlight many other grave issues including rape. She said,

I admit to having made a mistake by dumping plastic into the flood water but women are gang raped everyday,” “Violence against women is commonplace, yet, everyone’s blinded by a piece of plastic. They are dwelling in a fool’s paradise. I was merely offering sadqah (charity),” [7]The Express Tribune

 

Criticised for receiving the Pride of Performance Award

After receiving the Pride of Performance Award in 2021, Resham was criticised by Sakina Samo, who is a Pakistani actress, producer, and director. Samo said,

I personally believe the choice for Pride of Performance is becoming increasingly simple and easy and as a result, a number of personalities who have dedicated their entire careers often go unnoticed. It is sad that the government has given such a huge award to people like Resham and Ali Zafar, who in my opinion don’t really deserve it.”

On being criticised by Sakina Samo, Resham responded to her comment and said,

 Perhaps I don’t deserve any awards or accolades. However, the point to ponder over here is, do great and senior actors globally give such demeaning remarks towards their juniors? Remarks that belittle and undermine years of struggles and hard work of another actor specially their juniors? Big actors, in their true sense, have big hearts.” She added, “May God bless her with more awards, but she should reflect upon the fact that but when someone tries to put someone else down, it shows their own caliber and character, not the other person’s.” [8]Daily Jang

Alleged that Reham Khan used her name in her book

In the show One Take Season 2, Momin Ali Munshi had an interview with Resham in which Resham told that her name was used by Reham Khan to sell her book. She called Reham the worst example of a woman, whereas she considered Jemima Goldsmith to be the best. Both Reham and Jemima Goldsmith are the former wives of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.

Everyone makes mistakes. Imran Khan made a few mistakes. I have made a lot of mistakes. But Reham Khan? Reham Khan is the worst example of a woman. And Jemima Goldsmith is the best.” Resham stated. [9]The Express Tribune

Awards and Honours

  • In 1997, Resham received the National Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film “Sangam.”
  • She was honoured with Nigar Award for her role as Salma in the Urdu Pakistani film “Jannat ki Talash” in 1999.
  • In 2021, she was honoured with the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, at the President House.

    Resham receiving Pride of Performance Award in 2021

    Resham received the Pride of Performance Award in 2021

Facts/Trivia

  • Resham started her career in acting in 1992 as a supporting actor in television dramas.
  • She is the only member of her family who joined the film industry.
  • The drama “Man-O-Salwa,” in which Resham played the leading role as Zainab, is based on a novel written by Umera Ahmad with the same title.

    Resham as Zainab in the drama Man-O-Salwa (2007)

    Resham as Zainab in the drama Man-O-Salwa (2007)

  • She is good friends with the famous Pakistani singer Ali Zafar, and when Ali Zafar was accused by Meesha Shafi, a Pakistani singer, of sexual harassment, Resham raised her voice to support Zafar. While responding to the allegation made against Ali Zafar, she said,

    I have known Ali Zafar for 20 years; he is someone who gives a lot of respect to others… who gives respect to women,”. She added, “Ali knows the difference between friendship and harassment. He cannot do such a thing.” [10]Geo News

    Resham with Ali Zafar

    Resham with Ali Zafar

  • Resham is very choosy when it comes to selecting roles for various projects. In the Icon Interview with Dawn, she said,

    I do get offered roles frequently, but I will only sign on to a project if I feel that it gives me the right mileage. I have worked very hard to prove my mettle and I deserve to be part of the project’s promotional clips and poster. Otherwise, I’m not interested.”

One Response

  1. Hina zuberi

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