Marina Khan (born 26 December 1962) is a Pakistani television and film actress, director, and producer. She is one of the most popular actresses of her time and was one of the most successful actresses of the 1980s and 1990s. Her television shows include Tanhaiyaan (1985), Dhoop Kinare (1987), Kohar (1991), Nijaat (1993), Tum Se Kehna Tha (1995) and Tanha (1997). She went into a hiatus in the mid-2000s and made a comeback on-screen with Tanhaiyan Naye Silsile (2012) which was the sequel to her debut series, Tanhaiyan. Khan made her film debut with a title role in the 2016 drama Lala Begum.
Early life and family Marina Khan was born on 26 December 1962 in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Her father Rehmat Khan came from a Pashtun family from Tank district, Dera Ismail Khan, while her mother Anna Rehmat was of English descent but settled in Peshawar. She is the granddaughter of Nawab of Tank Nawab Qutubdin Khan. Her father worked for the Pakistan Air Force and the family had to relocate almost every two years depending upon his job assignment. Marina and Kehkashan Awan were childhood friends since their junior school days and both of them went to the Karachi College. In an interview, Khan said that due to constant relocation she did not have long-term childhood friends.
Acting career Television career Khan made her acting debut in the PTV series Nishan-e-Haider, appearing in an episode based on Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Pakistan's national hero from the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Her breakthrough performance came in 1985 with the hit series Tanhaiyaan, portraying the lively and materialistic yet sensitive Sanya. Khan has fondly referred to the series as her "all-time favorite" project, crediting it for introducing her to the audience.
The massive popularity of Tanhaiyaan led to the star cast reuniting for another series, the medical-drama Dhoop Kinarey, which aired on PTV. Khan played the role of Dr. Zoya Ali Khan, a carefree and young doctor, in the series.
Khan's subsequent television projects featured her in different roles as a television personality. She took on directing and production roles, and even hosted her own cooking show. In 2007-2008, she hosted the talk show Marina Mornings on ARY Digital.
In 2018, Khan portrayed strict maternal roles in several projects, including Kaif-e-Baharan, Noor ul Ain, and Qaid. She also appeared as a superstitious mother in Dil Kiya Karay. In 2019, her performance of a devoted housewife in the horror-drama Bandish was acclaimed critically. In 2020, Khan played an emotionally charged older mother in the family-drama Aulaad.
Film career In 2016, Khan appeared in Mehreen Jabbar-directed short film Lala Begum, premiered at the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival. Featuring in the titular role, Khan depicted a bitter lady in the film. The following year, she made a cameo appearance in Punjab Nahi Jaungi and had recurring roles in the 2018 releases Na Maloom Afraad 2 and Parwaaz Hai Junoon. Khan played a loveable maternal role in the 2022 release Yaara Vey.
Personal life Marina married Jalil Akhtar, a producer and director, in 1989.
Filmography
Films Year TitleRoleNotes2016Lala BegumMeher / Lala Begum2017Punjab Nahi JaungiLady in restaurantSpecial appearance 2018Na Maloom Afraad 2SonaParwaaz Hai JunoonSania's mother 2019Parey Hut LoveHerselfCameoSuperstarLaila Khan2021Khel Khel Mein Mrs. Haque 2022Tich ButtonPammiYaara VeySoni2023Teri Meri KahaniyaanDirector; "Pasoori"2025Love Guru Television Year TitleRole DirectorNetworkNotes1982Nishan-e-HaiderFarhatEpisode "Rashid Minhas Shaheed"1985TanhaiyaanSanya Ahmed1986Show TimeHerself 1987EhsasMiss Saima1987Dhoop KinareDr. Zoya Ali Khan1989KaliyanHerself1991KoharShamin1992ParosiRoshan Ara "Munni"1993NijaatTanya1995Yun Chaha Tha MagarNaira1995Tum se Kehna ThaHiraAdaptation of While You Were SleepingBewafaiyanRubab1997Khaali HaathJiya1997TanhaRamsha1999Kaise Kahoon Hina2000Tum Hi To HoJenny2009Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat —2010Dolly ki Ayegi Baraat —2011Takkay ki Ayegi BaraatDr Fariha Hashim2012Tanhaiyan Naye SilsilaySanya AhmedAnnie Ki Ayegi Baraat —2014Jackson HeightsMichelle 2018Kaif-e-BaharanShaista FatimaNoor-ul-AinKhizar's motherQaidSofia2019Dil Kiya KarayRomaisaCheekhHerselfSpecial appearance in series promoBandishMadiha JunaidGustakh IshqPari's mother 2020MunafiqSabiha BegumDil RubaGhazalaAulaadZakiya Meray Dost Meray Yaar Season 2Zoya's motherMini series2021Pardes —Mein Hari Piya Fawad's mother2022Mushkil —2024YahyaSabra2025DastakARY Digital2026Doctor Bahu
Telefilms YearTitleRoleRef(s) 1996 Farar Natasha 1999 Abba, Amma Aur Ali Misha 2002 Mere Dost Teacher Lamha Meher 2018 Hum Chale Aaye Nusrat
Reality shows Year Show Role Channel Notes 1988 Yes Sir No Sir Guest PTV 1999 Kahani Corner Host PTV 2006 Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar Guest ARY Digital Special 2007–2008 Marina Mornings Host ARY Digital Rise & Shine, Summer 2009 Always Girls Can Host Broadcast syndication Nestle Nesvita Women of Strength '09 Guest Broadcast syndication Kaun Banegi Cooking Queen Judge Indus TV The Shareef Show Guest Geo TV 2011 Utho Jago Pakistan Guest 2018 Breaking Weekend Guest ARY Zindagi 2017 Mazaaq Raat Guest Dunya TV 2020 Bol Nights with Ahsan Khan Guest BOL Network Good Morning Pakistan Guest ARY Digital
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref(s) 1986 Nigar Award Best TV Actress Tanhaiyaan 2002 1st Lux Style Awards Best Television Actress 1987 PTV Award Best Actress Dhoop Kinare 2023 22nd Lux Style Awards Lux Changemaker's Award Contribution to Media Industry
See also List of Pakistani actresses
References
External links