Aamina Sheikh is a Pakistani actress and former supermodel who is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and versatile performers in the Pakistani entertainment industry. Known for her striking features and ability to portray complex, strong-willed women, she has carved a niche for herself in both art-house cinema and mainstream television dramas.
Listen to an introduction about Aamina Sheikh
Name: Aamina Abdul Sheikh (Urdu: آمنہ شیخ)
Date of Birth: August 29, 1981
Height: 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Family:
- Father: Abdul Sheikh (A pharmacist by profession).
- Mother: Keeps a low profile; name not publicly widely cited.
- Spouses:
- Mohib Mirza (married 2005; divorced 2019). He is a prominent Pakistani actor and host.
- Omar Farooqui (married 2020). He is an entrepreneur and founder of a software company.
- Children:
- Meissa Mirza (daughter with Mohib Mirza, born August 2015).
- Issa (son with Omar Farooqui, born September 2021).
- Siblings: She has siblings, though they generally stay out of the media spotlight.
Profession: Actress, Model
Nationality: Pakistani-American
College or University Attended: Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts (studied Film and Video Production)
Biography and What Famous For:
Although born in New York City, Aamina Sheikh spent her childhood between Karachi and Riyadh. She returned to the U.S. for her higher education, studying film and video production at Hampshire College, which gave her a unique perspective on the industry behind the camera before she stepped in front of it. She initially worked as an assistant director and producer before entering the fashion world.
Sheikh first gained fame as a supermodel, becoming a prominent face for major brands and serving as a spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris. However, she quickly transitioned to acting, where she found her true calling. She is famous for choosing scripts that challenge societal norms and offer substantial performance value rather than typical “damsel in distress” roles.
She garnered immense critical acclaim for her role in the film Seedlings (Lamha) (2013), winning the Best Actress award at the New York Film Festival and the SAARC Film Festival. She is also widely recognized for her powerful performances in hit television dramas such as Maat, Daam, and Jackson Heights.
In 2018, she starred in the critically acclaimed film Cake, which was selected as Pakistan’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. Her performance in the film as a woman dealing with family secrets and aging parents was lauded as one of the best in recent Pakistani cinema history.
Aamina Sheikh is famous for her intense screen presence, her dedication to meaningful cinema, and her advocacy for women’s empowerment and children’s education in Pakistan.
Career Highlights:
Films:
- Love Mein Ghum (2011) – Special appearance
- Seedlings (Lamha) (2013) – Role: Maliha
- Josh: Independence Through Unity (2013) – Role: Fatima
- O21 (2014) – Role: Natasha
- Good Morning Karachi (2015) – Role: Mehwish
- Cake (2018) – Role: Zareen
- 7 Din Mohabbat In (2018) – Special appearance
- Heer Maan Ja (2019) – Role: Nida (Antagonist)
Television Series:
- Wilco (2008)
- Dil E Nadan (2009)
- Agar Tum Na Hotay (2009)
- Haal-e-Dil (2010)
- Daam (2010) – Role: Maliha
- Ishq Gumshuda (2010) – Role: Neha
- Uraan (2010) – Role: Sana
- Main Abdul Qadir Hoon (2010) – Role: Nell
- Maat (2011) – Role: Aiman
- Mera Saaein (2011) – Role: Naina
- Mora Piya (2011) – Role: Ujala
- Mirat-ul-Uroos (2012) – Role: Ayiza
- Silvatein (2013) – Role: Zaib
- Jackson Heights (2014) – Role: Salma
- Pakeezah (2016) – Role: Pakeezah
- Khudgarz (2017) – Role: Ayera
- Nibah (2018) – Role: Sofia
Awards and Accomplishments:
- New York Film Festival: Best Actress (for Seedlings, 2013)
- SAARC Film Festival: Best Actress (for Seedlings, 2013)
- Lux Style Awards:
- Best Emerging Talent (2009)
- Best TV Actress (Satellite) (for Dil E Nadan, 2011)
- Best TV Actress (Terrestrial) (for Agar Tum Na Hotay, 2011)
- Best Film Actress (for Seedlings, 2014)
- Galaxy Lollywood Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role Female (for Cake, 2019)
- Veet Celebration of Beauty: Miss Photogenic Award (2008)
- Served as a Global Ambassador: L’Oréal Paris (Pakistan)
