Saima is a Pakistani actress from Multan. She was born on May 5,1967. Saima joined Lollywood at a time when Anjuman absolutely dominated the scene. Anjuman was so busy that some producers were becoming frustrated due Anjuman's dates and were already looking for replacement. The alternative came in the shape of Saima who took full advantage of the opportunity.Saima is very famous in middle standard peoples of Pakistan. Because only middle standard people watch the punjabi movies.Saima rocked the movies back then.Saima's debut was directed by Akram Khan. She was cast on the spot for the main lead in Khatarnaak, in 1990. Saima has steadily ascended the ladder of success. Saima was discovered at the time when Sultan Rahi was the number one hero. The record breaking success of Syed Noor’s blockbuster Choorian made her a house hold name over night.
Saima has been around for quite a few years…in fact she was discovered when Sultan Rahi was still going strong. Yet it's has been the last couple of years that have seen her burst into prominence and assume the mantle of being the country's top most actress. The turning point has been the record-breaking success of Syed Noor's directed Choorian - a film that breathed life into an industry considered fatally diseased.
Saima was discovered ages ago by sleaze merchant director Akram Khan who saw her in some gathering or the other and was immediately struck by her statuesque beauty. He approached her on the spot and stunned her by asking her to star in his upcoming production Khatarnaak. Saima, in a state of shock at being asked, responded in the affirmative and within days she was in front of the camera. Akram Khan felt he had discovered something special and felt that Saima was akin to a raw diamond that only needed a little care and some polish before it could be displayed to dazzle the world. With just a little effort, Khan contended, this girl could be a world beater and sure enough he was to be proved right as with time Saima has steadily ascended the ladder of success and at this point in time reigns as the current Queen of Lollywood, commanding a higher price than any of her competitors and enjoying some serious adulation among the masses.
However one thing about Saima that has remained unchanged is her silent demeanor. She always was and still remains very much the silent one, hardly ever uttering a work and answering questions with the shortest possible answer. She just isn't into conversing and usually inhabits her own world where no outsider is allowed to enter. She keeps herself at a distance and is clearly very reserved. However, when that camera switches on and the cry of action rings out, its another matter altogether.
Saima's career started with a resounding Box Office flop in Akram Khan's Khatarnaak and the buzz around the industry was that the girl had no future. However after all these years she stands at the very summit of her profession though detractors will always contend that her success is largely due to her association with Syed Noor. Insiders in the industry have said that when Saima started working with Noor it became quite evident that they were getting on very well and were becoming more and more intimate with one another until Syed Noor actually married Saima despite already being married and living with Rukhsana Noor.
Saima started out in Lollywood at a time when Anjuman absolutely dominated the scene. Anjuman had become so busy that some producers started becoming increasingly frustrated at their progress being slowed due to the fact that the lady couldn't supply dates. They decided to search for an alternative and this is where Saima started making her initial inroads. It was thought that Saima had the necessary height and curves to suit Sultan Rahi, who was in effect the ONLY viable hero in movies at that time. Another reason for looking for a sub for Anjuman was that apparently Sultan Rahi could shoot for 20 hours a day (says a lot for the "quality" of his work) while Anjuman could only manage 8 hours. So in the thriving late 80's, producers needed another siren to accompany the great Rahi. Saima's curves would hold her in good stead as she was drafted in as second fiddle to Anjuman - the actress who picked up on all the roles that Anjuman couldn't take on due to her crowded schedule. Saima had also gone into some heavy training and emerged with mighty efficient "thumkas" and all the right moves as far as Lollywood dancing was concerned.
Saima had hardly been in the industry for a week when her fortunes took another drastic turn. Anjuman got married to Mobeen Malik and quit signing any new films. Then the thunderbolt that stunned the industry - the murder of Sultan Rahi. Lollywood went into mourning and Punjabi film production ground to a complete halt. The industry was saved from complete destruction due to the Urdu films that still remained in production. However even Urdu films were in a rut as renowned director Sangeeta was at home tending to her spawn. Javaid Faisal was pursued by producers but nothing came of it and meanwhile Nazrul Islam expired dealing another massive blow to an industry already reeling. Thus the path was cleared for an ambitious Syed Noor to step up and try to fill the directorial vacuum. Then came Choorian, ironically a Punjabi film, and the rest is history. Choorian is still running in regular shows in Lahore at the time of writing two years after its release - a quite amazing fact.
Saima was suddenly considered an essential commodity of any film and jacked up her price (on Syed Noor's advice) from Rs. 3 lacs to Rs. 5 lacs, way above those of her competitors. Then a similar cycle started with producers becoming frustrated at not being able to secure dates from the super busy Saima and they began to search for an alternative just as they had done when Anjuman was in her prime. It was Reema who mentioned a prospective challenger or substitute in the shape of youthful, nubile Sana. Experts felt she had the similar lanky physique that Saima possessed and would soon make waves in the industry. More competition arrived in the shape of the unexpected comeback by Anjuman. Industry wallah's especially Parvaiz Rana famously exclaimed that now the real battle was going to begin, not between Saima and Sana but between Anjuman and Saima. Ironically Anjuman's comeback feature "Chaudrani" also starred Saima in the lead romantic role. Anjuman's return was greeted with fanfare and initially she was welcomed back with open arms as producers were desperate to sign on a viable alternative to Saima. Rana signed Anjuman for Jag Mahi and a few days later Kaifi also signed her up for his Ek Dhee Punjab Di. She also signed Jatti Da Veer and Peengan in the following days.
