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Waseem Abbas is a Pakistani actor, director, and screenwriter. He is known for his work in the Pakistani television and film industries.
Wiki/Biography
Waseem Abbas was born on Monday, 9 September 1957 (age 66 years; as of 2023) in Lahore, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Virgo.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Inayat Hussain Bhatti. He was an actor, playback singer, filmmaker, and religious scholar.
His mother’s name is Mohtarma Shahida Bano. He has three sisters and an elder brother named Nadeem Abbas Bhatti, who is a producer and a former actor.
Wife & Children
He married twice. He has two sons and two daughters from his first marriage. His son (from his first marriage), Ali Abbas, is a television actor.
He divorced his first wife and later married Saba Hameed, who is a popular actress.
He has a step-daughter named Meesha Shafi, who is a Pakistan-born Canadian singer and actress and a step-son named Faris Shafi, who is a Pakistani singer and actor.
Other Relatives
His paternal uncle, Kaifee, was a popular actor and director. His father-in-law, Hameed Akhtar, was a newspaper columnist, writer, journalist, and secretary-general of the literary moment Progressive Writers Association in Pakistan. Aagha Ali, who is a popular actor and singer, and Ali Sikander, who is an actor and writer, are his nephews.
Career
Television
Actor
Waseem Abbas made his debut as an actor in 1979 with the television drama series ‘Ek Haqeeqat Ek Fasana,’ on PTV. He gained immense popularity for playing the role of Yasir in the TV series ‘Samundar’ (1983), which aired on PTV.
In 1986, he played the role of Zubair in the PTV show ‘Hazaron Raaste.’ In 1997, he appeared in the Pakistani comedy-drama sitcom ‘Family Front’ in which he played the role of Azam. The show was broadcast on PTV World (now PTV News).
He played a supporting role in the comedy-drama series ‘Lahori Gate’ (2007), starring Naseem Vicky. The show was aired on PTV Home. In 2014, he appeared along with his real-life son Ali Abbas in the TV show ‘Ladoon Mein Palli,’ which aired on Geo TV. His performance as Raees in the TV series ‘Mere Humsafar’ (2021), on ARY Digital, received immense appreciation from the audience.
He has acted in various TV dramas including ‘Ashiyana’ (1997) on PTV, ‘Mera Saaein (season 2)’ (2012) on ARY Digital, ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ (2013) on Hum TV, ‘Deewana’ (2016) on Hum TV, ‘Kashf’ (2020), and ‘Zakham’ (2022) on Geo Entertainment.
Director & Writer
Waseem Abbas made his directorial debut with the TV show ‘Family Front’ (1997), on PTV. In 1998, he directed the TV series ‘Home Sweet Home,’ on PTV World. He worked as a director of the TV show ‘Mr. & Misses’ (2006), which was aired on PTV Home. In 2007, he wrote the screenplay for the TV drama series ‘Lahori Gate,’ which was broadcast on PTV Home.
In 2018, he worked as a screenplay writer for the television drama series ‘Do Biwiyan Ek Bechara.’ He has worked as a writer and directed in a few more television shows such as ‘Double Sawari’ (2005), ‘Choki # 420’ (2008), and ‘Natak Mandi’ (2010).
Film
Urdu
Waseem Abbas made his debut in the Pakistani Urdu film industry with the film ‘Manzil’ (1981) in which he played the role of Vicky.
In 1983, he played the role of Aamir in the film ‘Badaltay Rishtay.’
He has acted in various other Urdu films including ‘Zara Si Baat’ (1982), ‘Tina’ (1983), ‘Naseebon Wali’ (1984), and ‘First Blood’ (1986).
Punjabi
Waseem Abbas made his debut in the Pakistani Punjabi film industry with the film ‘Shah Behram’ (1985), which was directed by his paternal uncle, Kaifee. He played the supporting role of Haider in the film. In 1987, he played the role of Zoaib in the film ‘Jugnu.’
In 1990, he appeared alongside Sultan Rahi in the film ‘Sarmaya’ in which he played the role of Monna. In 2017, he essayed the role of Jawad Khagga in the film ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi.’ The film was also made in Urdu language. Some of his other Punjabi films include ‘Haq Mehar’ (1985) ‘Jatt Majhay Da’ (1988), ‘Ishq Rog’ (1989), ‘Action’ (1991), and ‘Mera Inteqam’ (1992).
Award
- In 2016, he was honoured with the Pride of Performance Award.
Note: There are many more awards to his name.
Facts/Trivia
- In an interview, he revealed that his father didn’t want him to become an actor, rather, he wanted Waseem Abbas to complete his studies. In the same interview, he revealed that he discontinued his studies for almost 6 months in a bid to convince his father to allow him to work in the entertainment industry. He said,
So when it came to me joining the film industry he was sort of against it and he wanted me to continue on with my studies. But I was stubborn, I even discontinued my studies for about six months at one point.”
- He was very mischievous when he was a child. In an interview, he shared an interesting story from his childhood and revealed that when he was in 10th standard, he once locked a buffalo in his classroom to get his classes cancelled.
- In an interview, Abbas revealed that when he was in 8th standard, his father decided to enrol him in Cadet College, but he was so passionate about becoming an actor that to avoid taking the entrance exam, he resorted to burning his hand.
- He started his career in the entertainment industry as a crew member in theatrical productions where he used to do small jobs like setting the stage and opening theatre curtains.
- In an interview, he talked about how he landed his first role in his very first stage play where he was assigned the job of a assistant. He revealed that on the first day of the stage play, Anwar Ali, who was supposed to play the main character, was absent due to which Waseem Abbas was given the role.