Maya Ali

Maryam Tanveer Ali (, born 27 July 1989), known by her stage name Maya Ali, is a Pakistani actress who works in Urdu television and films.

Ali has received several accolades including three Hum Awards and a Lux Style Award.

Maya Ali was born Maryam Tanveer Ali on 27 July 1989 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, to Muslim parents.

Her father, Tanveer Ali, was a businessman, and her mother, Shagufta Nazar, is a homemaker.

She has one younger brother, Afnan.

Ali made her debut with a supporting role in the telenovela Durr-e-Shehwar but later received praise for portraying the titular character in the romantic comedy, Aun Zara (both 2012) and the social drama, Shanakhat (2014).

In 2012, Ali made her debut on television with a supporting role in the Haissam Hussain-directed drama Durr-e-Shehwar, portraying the younger sister of the eponymous character; it was telecasted on Hum TV.

Following this, she had her first lead role in the adaptation of the novel of the same name, Aik Nayee Cinderella opposite Osman Khalid Butt and Faizan Khawaja.

This was her second project to be directed under Hussain.

Critic Fatima Awan criticised the drama, finding it to "underestimate the taste and sensibility of viewers", and dismissed Ali's performance.

She then starred in the comedy drama Aunn Zara, once again under the direction of Hussain.

Playing the title role of Zara, she reunited with Butt as his wife.

Writing for Dawn, Abbas Hussain lauded Ali as a "complete natural" and acknowledged the improvement made from her previous drama.

In 2013, Ali starred in the Fahim Burney-directed Khoya Khoya Chand alongside Ahsan Khan and Sohai Ali Abro.

She followed this by portraying a possessive sister in Ranjish Hi Sahi.

Awan praised Ali for her progressively improving performance as the series advanced.

Ali's third and final project of 2013 was as an unrequited lover in Amin Iqbal's Meri Zindagi Hai Tu.

The drama marked her second with Ahsan Khan and also starred Ayeza Khan.

Critic Maaz Ahmed Siddiqui praised Ali's performance, describing her as "absolutely successful" in showcasing the nuances of her character.

Directed by Waseem Abbas, Ali's role in the family drama Ladoon Mein Pali (2014) generally went unnoticed.

However, her second release in the social drama series Shanakht proved to be a significant advancement in her career.

She portrayed a devout Muslim woman who faces criticism from her family due to her beliefs.

The drama was a major success with both critics and viewers alike.

Critic Zahra Mirza was appreciative of Ali's change in dialogue delivery.

She then went on to star as a headstrong, protective daughter in Zid alongside Ahsan Khan in which her performance was poorly received.

A critic for Dawn found little appeal in Ali's character due to the absence of emotional depth in her portrayal.

Ali received further acclaim for her role as Zuleikha in the romantic drama, Mera Naam Yousuf Hai and in the ensemble family drama Diyar-e-Dil (both 2015), the latter of which earned her a nomination at the Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress.

In 2015, Ali starred in Mehreen Jabbar's romantic drama Mera Naam Yousuf Hai which was loosely based on the story "Yusof-o Zulaikhā" (یوسف و زلیخا) by Jami in his book, Haft Awrang.

She portrayed the role of Zulaikha opposite Imran Abbas.

Dawn 's Sadaf Siddique praised Ali’s "restrained performance".

In her final project of the year, she played the role of an estranged granddaughter in Momina Duraid's ensemble family drama based on Farhat Ishtiaq's novel of the same name, Diyar-e-Dil alongside Osman Khalid Butt, Abid Ali, Sanam Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan.

Ali was awarded the Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and earned her first Lux Style Award for Best Actress nomination.

The drama emerged the highest rated of 2015.

Ali achieved her breakthrough when starring in the romance Mann Mayal (2016) which earned her the Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress.

Initially, Ali's father disapproved of her joining the film industry and ultimately did not speak to her for eight years, however, they reconciled before his passing in 2016.

Ali started her career at an early age, working as a video jockey for the channels Samaa TV, Waqt News and Dunya News.

She completed her master's degree in mass communication from the Queen Mary College.

In 2016, Ali made a major breakthrough with her role in Mann Mayal alongside Hamza Ali Abbasi, Gohar Rasheed and Aisha Khan.

Ali made her film debut with the romantic action comedy, Teefa in Trouble (2018) and achieved similar success in the romantic comedy Parey Hut Love (2019), both ranking amongst the highest grossing Pakistani films of all time with the latter earning her two nominations at the Lux Style Awards.

Following a short departure from television, Ali returned with the romantic drama Pehli Si Muhabbat (2021).