Umera Ahmed
Umera Ahmed
Although she was a well-known literary figure since the start of her career, it was her 2004 bestselling novel, Peer-e-Kamil (The Perfect Mentor) that gained her astounding success and made her a household name. This novel has become her identity – one she is extremely proud of, as this novel is dedicated to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and tells how that one man is still mentoring lives.
Umera Ahmed was born on December 10, 1976 and started her writing career at a very young age. She has a master in English literature from Murray College, Sialkot, Pakistan – the same one that produced one of the finest philosophers and poets of 21st century, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. She has taught at Saint Anthony’s Convent Sialkot (1996) and also as a Cambridge teacher at Army Public College, Sialkot (1999-2004) but gave it up later to completely devote her focus towards writing. Furthermore she has done professional courses from Ali Institute of Education Lahore (2000), Catholic Board of Education Lahore (2000), British Council Lahore (2001-2002), LUMS (2004) and Creative Writing and Screenplay Writing Courses from Arvon Foundation UK (2007).
Face of Popular Urdu fiction
Umera Ahmed – the name that changed the face of popular Urdu fiction, helped revolutionize the 8 o’clock-TV serial in Pakistan, and shook the mindsets of readers that adore her every word. She is a young author with great conviction and an unbending faith in the goodness of humanity. Her stories are a form of inspiration for many out there, and she has helped people change lives – all through what she writes. She is a bestselling author, an award winning screenplay writer and a fine human being. She started her writing career with writing stories and novels for monthly magazines, Shua and Khawateen. Her pragmatic approach to-wards world, life and Allah, her use of simple words, and an uncanny skill at creating suspense and shake audience garnered her early fan following, which has only grown and multiplied since then.
Successful Ventures
She has written many original screenplays, as well as adaptations of her original novels into screenplays. Her novels like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Darbar-e-Dil, LaHaasil, Amar Bail, Man-o-Salwa, Main ne Khawabon ka Shajar Dekha Hai (Doraha), Thoda sa Aasman, Shehr-e-Zaat and Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, which were adapted for TV serials have won her multiple awards for the best writer. Her original screenplays include successful ventures like Wujood-e-Laraib, Malaal, Uraan, Wapsi, and The Ghost. Wujood-e-Laraib was her first original screenplay, and won her an award for the best writer. Beside these original screenplays includes Daam, Maat, Behadd, Kankar
On the contrast, very few popular fiction writers can claim to have a life altering influence on their readers
– something which Umera Ahmed can rightly claim
Consultancy
In 2014, Umera Ahmed with a vision to help writers and content industry grow started to take up consultancy projects with different channels, training new and aspiring writers to develop the craft and technique of a good story, script and screenplay.
Following projects were developed under her supervision
Jhoot by Reema Ali Syed – Hum TV
Khot by Imran Nazir – ARY Digital
Digest Writer by Madiha Shahid – Hum TV
Abro by Qaisera Hayat – Hum TV
Darar by Qaisera Hayat – ARY Digital
Taking the same vision to next level she established Pakistan’s first online digital urdu creative writing platform in April 2016. This gained amazing response and feedback within the first year of it’s launch and positioned itself as a secure platform not only to have new writers onboard but was also able to position itself as Pakistan’s first ever formally established content house which offers solutions for all types of content be it Drama, Films, Talk Shows, Animated series or TVCs
Awards and Recognition
Best Writer for Wujood-e-Laraib -Indus Vision Drama Awards 2005
Best Young Talent in Scriptwriting -TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006
3 Best Telefilm for Sauda -TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006
Best Serial Award for Amar Bail -TV One Popular Choice Awards 2006
Best Director for Serial Lahasil -Lux Style Awards 2006
Best Serial Award for Mano Salwa -Lux Style Awards 2007
A Cash Prize of 50000 for telefilm Hai Lau Zindgi -Geo Telefilm Festival 2007
Best Serial Award for Thoda Sa Aasman -Lux Style Awards 2009
Best Serial Award for Malaal -Pakistan Media Awards 2010
Best Writer Award for Malaal -Pakistan Media Awards 2010
Best Director Award for Doraha 2010 -Lux Style Awards
Best Writer Award for Shehr-e-Zaat 1st Hum TV Awards
Best Writer Award for Meri Zaat Zarra Benishaan 2011 -Lux Style Awards
Best Writer Award for Zindagi Gulzar Hai 2nd Hum TV Awards 2014
Indian film “5 Rupees” recently featured amongst 5 best films in DIFF 2017
Author's books
AKS by Umera Ahmed
₨1,695Enigma, mystery, and emotional upheaval define Aks. It is a mind blowing story of human perseverance and courage. Dealing with the intense subject of Child abuse, Aks portrays different shades of human psyche. It displays the ugliness of selfish and self centered characters, while soothing the nerves of the reader by selflessness and Altruism at the same time. It introduces us to Kherdin who is an epitome of love and sacrifice while exposing the malice of Shehbaaz who despite being guilty keeps on plotting to ruin the life and future of his victim.
Alif by Umera Ahmed
₨1,500Alif is Umera Ahmed’s latest novel
The story of encircles a hardworking and diligent filmmaker named Momin, who is shown to be tangled between his spirituality and the glamourous life that he leads.
The novel comes packed full of sentiments and love which surrounds family values and depicts the love of a dervish in the novel.
Amar Bail
₨3,000Infidelities, betrayal, intrigue, selfishness along with altruism are the recurring themes of this extensive novel. It is a story of people whose lives were an outcome of their ethics and moral values rather their circumstances. There is a medley of settings and characters that live separate lives in different worlds but intertwine at a point in the end.
Amar Bail by Umera Ahmed Ebook
₨3,000Amar Bail (March 2000 to March 2003)
Written in a milieu of bureaucracy, revolving around the most influential families of Pakistan, It draws an interesting parallel between their achievements and personal dilemmas. Amar bail is not a tearjerker in true essence yet the emotional ordeals touch your heart and make you feel the pain of its characters and fall in love with them. With a minimum number of characters the simplicity of plot and interweaving of events is the strength of this novel. The story is crafted in different time spans rotating and spinning between present and past giving it a unique flavor which perplexes yet fascinates at the same time leaving the reader taken aback. The Story has 2 parallel aspects; at one level we see adept portrayal of insecurities and complexes of the main characters while on the other level, it has interesting narratives of blatant corruption, misuse of authority and power. Aleezay one of the two main characters of the story is victim of a broken home. The negligence of her parents who have both been remarried has created intense vacuum in her personality. Umar has also been subjected to similar catastrophes with a different outcome. One aspect of his personality is brutal, outspoken and aggressive while the other one is caring and sensitive. Umar instantly takes up the role of Aleezay’s caretaker after meeting her. She doesn’t cave in to his interference easily but his persistent efforts make her accept him as her guardian angel. After a few initial hiccups they develop affinity and kinship. Umar takes care of Aleezay and wants her to be self reliant. Despite his intentions Aleezay gradually becomes emotionally dependent on him. Umar joins civil service only to be dominated and misused by his own father. Aleezay gets attracted to Umar but gets extremely dejected when he doesn’t entertain the idea positively. While still in a state of inner conflict she gets engaged to Junaid , who is a caring and sensible boy with a good family background. Aleezay has to live with the love hate relationship with Umar, yet she tries hard to move on. Umar switches his profession to police department. Aleezay joins a news paper and is subjected to frequent exposure of Umar’s corruption. She is devastated enough to cancel her wedding reception when she comes across the worst nightmare of her life when Junaid reveals a secret to her. Later she takes her decision of breaking the engagement back after being subjected to a lot of pressure from her and Junaid’s families. In a state of frenzy she discloses her emotions for Umar to Junaid. Junaid is shocked but before he could confront him, Umar gets killed in an ambush. After his death Aleezay is shattered to know, that Umar’s indifference was actually a façade for his selfless efforts to protect her.
Bus Aik Daagh-e-Nidamat
₨800Rash and reckless behavior can shatter lives with the blink of an eye, especially if you are a woman. Bus Eik Dagh-e-Nadamat Hai is the story of Moomal who ruined her life by her irrational behavior. Her friends knew her brash demeanor and took advantage of her foolishness. Moomal being a classic example of a young thoughtless girl who is blindly driven by her impulses gets herself stuck in a huge mess.
Daana Paani by Umera Ahmed
₨1,000Daana Paani is Umera Ahmed’s upcoming novel, set to be out in December 2022
Darbar-e-Dil by Umera Ahmed
₨800t is a collection of three stories published together; Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Abhi to Maat Baaqi Hai and Aisa Kabhi Nahi Hota.
Zindagi Gulzar Hai (English: Life is a Rose Garden) follows Kashaf and Zaroon, class fellows with backgrounds poles apart. Kashaf, an average looking girl from a middle-class family, has a lot of responsibilities. She has an extremely unsatisfied life due to the financial constraints which affect her self-esteem badly. Zaroon belongs to the elite class, has every good thing in life and an unshakable self-confidence. The only thing lacking in Zaroon’s life; a close knit family with enough time for each other.
They meet in college and their lives are forever intertwined. ZGH chronicles the journey of these two characters, how they overcome their animosity for one another and learn to love and respect each other.
HAASIL by Umera Ahmed
₨800Hasil (English: Reward) highlights the relevance of religion in a Muslim’s life. It helps the reader explore the strength inherent in an individual’s determination in seeking divine help against enormous obstacles.
Hadeed is a neglected child raised in a luxurious yet abusive environment which turns him into an insecure introvert. His extreme dissatisfaction with life leads him to make a dangerous decision. At this stage of his lonely life, he meets a strange girl named Saania and his life begins anew.
Harf Kahani – Aik Tha Ainak Ullu Wala
₨150Harf Kahani – Bibi Batkho
₨150Shehr e Zaat is the exploration of the soul. This is the story of a journey that you set on when the realities of your world stop making sense. With her world turned upside down, Falak Sher Afgan, the hauntingly beautiful and rich daughter of a business tycoon finds herself shattered, wretched and humiliated.
Harf Kahani – Tiddi Aur Tidda
₨150بچوں کو حروف تہجی کی پہچان کرانے والی حرف کہانی سیریز جسے عمیرہ احمد نے نہایت آسان اسلوب میں لکھا ہے۔
Harf Kahani – Zaalim Zareef
₨150بچوں کو حروف تہجی کی پہچان کرانے والی حرف کہانی سیریز جسے عمیرہ احمد نے نہایت آسان اسلوب میں لکھا ہے۔
Harf Kahani Complete Set
بچوں کو حروف تہجی کی پہچان کرانے والی حرف کہانی سیریز جسے عمیرہ احمد نے نہایت آسان اسلوب میں لکھا ہے۔
HUM KAHAN KAY SACCHAY THEY
₨800Mishal is a beautiful girl. Everyone loves her. Brought up in an elite household with everything she can wish for, you think, she has everything she ever wants, but does she? On the other hand is Mishal’s cousin Mehreen; a girl who is not-so-pretty and has a disturbing background. Everyone’s annoyed by her bad behavior and ill-mannered ways. Living in the same house, these two girls go head-to-head. And in the middle of these two is caught Aswad, a handsome young guy, who is their cousin and who is also madly in love with Mishal, and hates Mehreen. All three of them think they have their lives perfectly planned out for themselves but can this much hate and competition really end up in something good?
Husna aur Husn Ara
₨800There is a whole lot of gory history behind the creation of Pakistan. This is the only country in the World which was founded on the basis of an Ideology. It was created as the last resort of survival for Muslims of subcontinent. It is also the sole country whose population is dangerously indifferent towards it and lacks the ownership required of their homeland. 15 August/Muthi bhar mitti is a bitter portrayal of this general apathy. This emotionally sublime story narrates the life of a family who sacrificed their honor, property and lives for the sake of a separate homeland. They abandoned everything, migrated to Pakistan and rebuilt their shattered lives starting from scratch. While there is a gradual paradigm shift in the thought process of the next generation regarding the loyalty and ownership, we still find a few patriots sacrificing their lives for their beloved motherland. 15 August introduces us to moments that are bone chilling and force us to reflect on our shortcomings and selfishness as citizens. Focusing on the 2 nation theory, it tries to wake us from our immoral slumber and realize the true value of our country.