Huma Qureshi

Here is a detailed, SEO-optimized profile of Huma Qureshi — her life, career, achievements, and impact:

Huma Qureshi – Life, Career, and Memorable Moments

Explore the journey of Huma Qureshi (born July 28, 1986) — from Delhi theatre and commercials to Bollywood, OTT fame, and international roles. Learn about her major works, awards, and inspiring stories.

Introduction

Huma Saleem Qureshi (born 28 July 1986) is an Indian actress and model known primarily for her versatile performances in Hindi films, as well as roles in web series and international cinema. She has earned critical acclaim, a strong fan base, and several award nominations for her work across genres. Her trajectory — from theater and modeling to mainstream and digital film — illustrates both talent and persistence in a competitive industry.

Early Life and Family

Huma Qureshi was born on 28 July 1986 in New Delhi, India, into a Muslim family. Saleem Qureshi, is a restaurateur who runs a chain of restaurants known as Saleem’s, and her mother, Ameena Qureshi, is a homemaker. Saqib Saleem.

Her family moved to Kalkaji, South Delhi during her childhood. Gargi College, University of Delhi, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History (Honours).

While in college, she got involved in the Act 1 theatre group and performed in several theatre productions.

Later, she moved to Mumbai in 2008 to pursue acting. Hindustan Unilever to appear in television commercials (for products like Samsung, Nerolac, Saffola, etc.). Samsung mobile commercial that director Anurag Kashyap noticed her potential and signed her to a three-film deal.

Career & Breakthrough

Debut & Early Roles (2012–2014)

Huma’s feature film debut came in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 (2012), produced by Anurag Kashyap, where she played Mohsina, a supporting yet memorable character. Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2.

She also completed the rest of her contract with Kashyap by starring in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012), playing a Punjabi character, which brought her further recognition.

In 2013, she appeared in Ek Thi Daayan, a supernatural thriller. Her performance was appreciated, even if the film had mixed reviews. Shorts (segment Sujata) and in D-Day playing a RAW agent Zoya Rehman.

Her role in Dedh Ishqiya (2014) was a breakthrough in the mainstream, where she played a bold, layered character alongside Madhuri Dixit and Naseeruddin Shah.

Expansion & Genre Variety (2015–2019)

She diversified her roles:

• In Badlapur (2015), she played Jhimli, a hauntingly strong character, earning praise.

• She made her Marathi cinema debut with Highway (2015).

• She appeared in X: Past Is Present (2015), in the “Knot” segment.

• In White (2016), she made a foray into Malayalam cinema.

• 2017 saw her in Jolly LLB 2, Viceroy’s House, and Dobaara: See Your Evil.

• In 2018, she acted opposite superstar Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Kaala.

Meanwhile, she also began venturing into digital/web platforms.

Rise in OTT & International Work (2019–present)

• In 2019, she starred in the Netflix series Leila, which received critical acclaim for her performance.

• From 2021, she played Rani Bharti in the political thriller series Maharani, which brought her accolades and a Filmfare OTT Award.

• She also appeared in Army of the Dead (2021)—her Hollywood debut.

• In 2022, she acted in Valimai (Tamil), Monica, O My Darling, Double XL, and signed to portray Tarla Dalal (a biopic).

• More recently, she is associated with Bayaan, which premiered at TIFF 2025.

Her contributions stretch across film, web series, and cross-industry (Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Hollywood) projects.

Awards, Recognition & Milestones

• Multiple Filmfare Award nominations (for supporting roles, debut)

• Won the Filmfare OTT Award for Maharani.

• Won Stardust Award (Breakthrough Supporting Performance)

• At the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, she got a Special Mention for Shorts.

Her choices of roles and genres have also earned her critical respect beyond box office metrics.

Personality, Style & Values

• Huma is known for fearless role selection — she often opts for characters that challenge norms, rather than sticking to safe formulas.

• She speaks openly about industry inequities, such as pay disparity in OTT platforms, especially pointing out how even successful female leads are sometimes compensated less than male co-stars.

• She has expressed the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance, as seen in her work in Double XL, where she challenged conventional beauty standards.

• Publicly, she has shared that being Muslim in India did not make her feel “different” during her upbringing; she sees identity as fluid and inclusive.

Her persona combines boldness, introspection, and a commitment to authentic storytelling.

Lessons from Huma Qureshi’s Journey

1. Start small, aim big
   From theatre and commercials to signing with major filmmakers, her career shows how early groundwork can open doors.

2. Versatility is a strength
   Moving across genres (thrillers, drama, horror, comedy) and industries (OTT, regional cinema, Hollywood) has broadened her appeal.

3. Speak up within the system
   By addressing inequities (pay, body standards), she shows how artists can advocate while working in the industry.

4. Risk is part of growth
   Taking on roles without guaranteed success (e.g. Bayaan) reflects her willingness to bet on stories she believes in.

5. Root in values, not just fame
   She shows that choosing meaningful roles and staying true to oneself matters as much as box office metrics.

Recent news about Huma Qureshi