Tahira Naqvi

Tahira Naqvi (Punjabi, طاہرہ نقوی; 20 August 1956 – 2 June 1982) was a Pakistani actress who began her career in 70s and worked until her death at the age of 25. She became popular by appearing in several television series and two films in her career spanning a few years. She was known as Mistress of Emotions because she portrayed roles of sentiment, nostalgia and despondent in dramas. Tahira along with Uzma Gillani, Khalida Riyasat and Roohi Bano dominated Pakistan's television screens during the 1970s and 1980s.

Early life
Tahira Naqvi was born in Daska, Pakistan on August 20, 1956. Tahira completed her early studies from Convent of Jesus and Mary, Lahore and later she graduated from Government Girls College.

Career
She began her career as a television actress. Tahira also worked at Radio Pakistan in 1974 and she worked in fifty television dramas. In 1976 she played a role in a theatre play which was about drug addiction among the young people of Pakistan and Tahira did a lead role in Hash along with Talat Hussain which was written by playwright and film director Sarmad Sehbai the play was shown at Government College, Kinnaird College, National Councils of the Arts and Lahore College. She acted in television serials Zindagi Bandagi (1978), Waris (1979) and Dehleez (1981). She also won the PTV Award for Best Actress. Tahira also appeared in two films Badaltey Mosam (1980) and Mian Biwi Razi (1982) both of the movies were Silver Jubliee hits at the Box Office but her main focus was on television. She became a famous name in early 80s and received extensive praise for her work.

Personal life
Tahira was married and she had one daughter named Asma Ahmed Khan.

Illness and death
Tahira was daigonsed with cancer and was admitted to Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi for treatment. On 2 June 1982, she died at Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi at the age of 25 after battling with cancer and was buried in the compound's graveyard at the tomb of Mian Mir in Lahore.

Television series

 * Dastak Na Do
 * Zanjeer
 * Madan-e-Mohabbat
 * Zindagi Bandagi
 * Manzil Hai Kahan
 * Khana Badosh
 * Waris
 * Ek Haqeeqat Ek Fasana
 * Dehleez
 * Eshaan
 * Siah Kiran
 * Aur Drame
 * Sayeen Aur Psychiatrist

Telefilm

 * Madawa

Film

 * Badaltey Mosam
 * Mian Biwi Razi

Theatre

 * Hash

Honour
In 2021 on August 16 the Government of Pakistan named a street and intersection after her in Lahore.