Maya Ali

Early work and breakthrough (2012–2015)

Ali made her screen debut in 2012 with a supporting role as the younger sister of Sanam Baloch's character in Haissam Hussain-directed drama Durr-e-Shehwar.^[7][8] She next had her first lead role in Faiza Iftikhar's modren-day adaptation of Cinderella, Aik Nayee Cinderella alongside Osman Khalid Butt and Faizan Khawaja, also directed by Hussain. She then starred in the comedy-drama Aunn Zara, marking her second collaboration with writer Iftikhar and director Hussain.^[9] Playing the title role of Zara, she reunited with Khalid Butt as the titular juvenile and fearless Zara.

In 2013, Ali starred in the Fahim Burney-directed romance Khoya Khoya Chand alongside Ahsan Khan and Sohai Ali Abro. She followed this with her portrayal of a possessive sister in Ranjish Hi Sahi. Ali's third and final project of the year was as an unrequited lover in Amin Iqbal's directed Meri Zindagi Hai Tu.^[10] The series was her second collaboration with Ahsan Khan and also starred Ayeza Khan.

Ali's first role of 2014 in Waseem Abbas-directed family drama Ladoon Mein Pali generally went unnoticed.^[11] However, her second release in the social-drama Shanakht proved to be a significant advancement in her career. Ali portrayed Qurratulain, a devout Muslim woman who faces disapproval from her family because of her beliefs.^[12][13] The series was a critical and commercial success.^[12] She then went on to star as a headstrong, protective woman in the drama Zid alongside Ahsan Khan. Her performance was poorly received, with a critic for Dawn found little appeal in Ali's character due to the absence of emotional depth in her portrayal.^[14]

In 2015, Ali starred in Mehreen Jabbar's romance-drama Mera Naam Yousuf Hai, which was loosely based on the story "Yusof-o Zulaikhā" by Jami in his book, Haft Awrang. She essayed the role of Zulaikha opposite Imran Abbas.^[15] Dawn's Sadaf Siddique was appreciative of Ali's "restrained performance".^[16] In her final project of the year, she played an estranged granddaughter in Momina Duraid-produced family drama, based on Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name, Diyar-e-Dil among an ensemble that included Osman Khalid Butt, Abid Ali and Sanam Saeed. Ali was awarded the Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and earned a nomination of Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress at the 15th Lux Style Awards, her first Lux Style Awards nomination. The series emerged as the highest rated of 2015.^[17]

Rise to prominence (2016–2019)

In 2016, Ali had her breakthrough role in Haseeb Hassan-directed Mann Mayal opposite Hamza Ali Abbasi. The News International's Aamna Haider Isani found Ali to "go overboard every now and then" but described it as "refreshing" to watch "a female protagonist who is boisterous and lively and unafraid to speak her mind".^[18] Regarding the regressive portrayal of her character, Ali defended the parts by calling them realistic, saying the character only conformed because no one supported her, and further argued that framing pain as needed for happiness.^[19] Despite this, the series became one of the highest rated of all time and Ali earned the Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress at the 16th Lux Style Awards.^[20] She then appeared among an ensemble in the romance Sanam, marking her third consecutive collaboration with Hassan and fourth with Khalid Butt.^[21] Referring to Ali's portryal in Mann Mayal, Mahwash Badar of The Express Tribune was critical of her performance stating, "Ali has simply rehashed Mannu’s madness into just a ‘lighter’ colour."^[22] She then went into a hiatus before venturing to cinematic screen.^[19]

In 2018, Ali made her film debut opposite Ali Zafar in Ahsan Rahim's romantic comedy Teefa in Trouble.^[23] It received positive reviews from critics, and Ali's performance as a Aliya, a rebellious young woman was generally praised.^[24] Omair Alavi of Samaa wrote that Ali came as a "breath of fresh air and looks naturally beautiful", however, added that she "needs to work on her dialogue delivery but here it suited her character",^[25] while Daniyal Zahid of The Friday Times opined that, she "adds her bits to those goals by looking particularly stunning".^[26] At the time of its release, the film was the most expensive Pakistani film ever made.^[27] It went on to become the fifth highest-grossing Pakistani film and Ali's most successful venture despite facing protests due to sexual harassment claims made against Zafar and film piracy following its release.^[28][29] In the following year, Ali had her next release, the romantic comedy Parey Hut Love, directed by Asim Raza and was starred opposite Sheheryar Munawar.^[30] Structured in four segments, the film follows an aspiring actor who becomes enamoured with a woman engaged to someone else.^[31] She described the character as her "most powerful yet".^[32] The film received divergent reception from critics;^[33] While Dawn's Mahnoor Bari criticised Ali's character, finding it "unclear whether Saniya’s character is a case of rushed writing or acting", The Express Tribune lauded her for the way she "handles her character with maturity" and manages to "impress the audience in almost every scene".^[34][35] Parey Hut Love earned over Rs. 300 million (US$1.1 million) to emerge as one of the highest-grossing Pakistani films of all time.^[36] She earned two Lux Style Best Actress nominations.^[37]

Television comeback and career setbacks (2021–present)

Following a five-year hiatus, Ali returned to television in 2021 with the romantic drama Pehli Si Muhabbat, marking her second collaboration with Munawar and fifth with Faiza Iftikhar.^[38] Directed by Anjum Shahzad, the series received generally positive reviews from critics,^[39] however, Ali's performance was panned.^[40] Later that year, she starred opposite Wahaj Ali in the historical-drama Jo Bichar Gaye.^[41] Set against the backdrop of the Independence of Bangladesh and the subsequent 1971 Indo-Pak War, she portrayed a patriotic Art student.^[42] The series earned critical acclaim and Ali was praised for her performance.^[43][44] Sadaf Haider of Dawn praised Ali for "showing us what a good actor can achieve if she is given something more than the one-dimensional bholi larkiyan [innocent girls] our dramas are littered with".^[45][46] Ali's sole performance of 2023 was in the family-drama Yunhi as a Pakistani-American who falls in love with a Pakistani man on her visit to the country.^[47][48] Ali revealed that she chose to star in the series due to director Ehteshamuddin, her co-actor Bilal Ashraf and the script.^[49]

In 2024, Ali reunited with Wahaj Ali and Haseeb Hassan for the romance-drama Sunn Mere Dil.^[50]

Ali began 2026 by appearing opposite Ahad Raza Mir in the romance-drama Aik Mohabbat Aur, as a divorcee assistant commissioner whose path crosses with a cheerful anchorperson. Directed by Farooq Rind, the series marked her sixth collaboration with writer Faiza Iftikhar.

She will next star in the Shoaib Mansoor-helmed film Aasmaan Bolay Ga, opposite Emmad Irfani and will also be seen in the Netflix Original Series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, an adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name.^[51][52][53]

Films

Television

Web Series