Sohai Ali Abro

Abro was born in Larkana, Sindh, to a Sindhi family.^[1] She is the youngest among three siblings and has a brother and a sister. Both her parents, who were professionally medical officers, died of natural causes, when Abro was still a nine-year old.^[4]

Abro spent her younger days in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Islamabad. Eventually, she moved to Karachi, where she pursued her studies, and later her interest in the theater made her popular with prominent names in the showbiz industry.^[4]

Abro married cricketer Shehzar Mohammad in March 2021.^[5] The couple welcomed a daughter in November 2022.^[6]

Abro made her acting debut in 2011 in the romance-drama Man Jali, portraying the supporting character of Gurya.^[7] She had her debut lead in the 2012 fantasy-drama Saat Pardon Mein as Darakshande Badar, the diehard fan of actor Ahsan Murad, portrayed by Mikaal Zulfiqar.^[8] She did a dance-performance for a reality show on ARY Digital's Naach which received a "lukewarm" response, mainly for the direction and the song choice that Abro and other artists danced to. She has also appeared in the telefilm Rangraiz Meray.^[9][10] In 2013, she appeared in Tanhai as Jiya, a lower middle-class married to a widower, played by Gohar Mumtaz.^[11]

Abro appeared in Yasir Nawaz's Anjuman, for which she was nominated for a Tarang Housefull Awards in the Best Supporting Actress category.^[7] In 2015, she made her film debut with romantic-comedy Wrong No. portraying Laila, a girl next-door.^[12] Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune criticizes her poorly developed character and her portrayal that "often turns out to be an out and out case of over acting."^[13] In the same year, she went on to appear in the adventure-comedy Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, marking her second cinematic outing. Abro played the role of Zoya, the spoiled and wealthy fiancée of the protagonist, portrayed by Humayun Saeed. Salima Feerasta of the DAWN Images found her "hilarious" in the film and hailed her as the "one memorable character" in the film.^[14]

In the following year, 2017, Abro starred alongside Azfar Rehman in two television projects, which went unnoticed.^[15] Her first role was in the romantic-drama Kaisi Yeh Paheli, followed by Adhi Gawahi,^[16] playing the character of Salwa Mansoor, a determined university student fighting against a forced marriage by deception by her obsessive classmate. The series marked a departure from her previous collaborations with Rehman, showcasing her in a more intense character and a complex dynamic with Rehman's character.^[17]

In 2018, she returned to cinema screens with the biographical drama Motorcycle Girl, based on the life of female motorcyclist Zenith Irfan.^[18] Sahar Wattoo of the Daily Times noted that she "worked really hard",^[19] while Rahul Aijaz of The Express Tribune stated that she "carries the entire film on her shoulders without bulging."^[20] Her performance in the film earned her a Lux Style Award for Best Film Actress - Critic's Choice.^[21]

In 2019, Abro appeared in the social drama Surkh Chandni as Aida, an acid attack survivor.^[22] In 2020, Abro appeared in the romantic-comedy Prem Gali as Joya, a college student residing in a quaint neighbourhood where she falls for her neighbour Hamza.^[23]

In 2024, she returned to television after a hiatus and appeared in the action-romance Gentleman as Mifra, the entitled daughter of a commissioner.^[24] Her next portrayal was of a victim of domestic abuse survivor desperately trying to escape in the action-thriller Faraar.^[25]