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