Sana

Acting career

She started her career as television actress. A relative of her mother, Shafique Hussain (an assistant producer of PTV) introduced her. Though her debut film, Jannat Ki Talash (1999), did not find success; her second film, Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa (2002) brought her fame and stardom. Her other successful films include Kyun Tumse Itna Pyar Hai (2005) and Kaafila (2007), which have consolidated her as one of the top actresses in the film industry.

Personal life

Sana married film actor Fakhar Imam in Lahore on December 13, 2008.

Interview

Sana on her new movie,man and mindset
A new film, a new body, a new man and a new attitude, whatever happens in the future, 2008 is unlikely to be the year Sana will forget. For this year is liable to be the most significant for her professional as well as personal life. Javed Sheikh's long-awaited magnum opus, Khulay Aasman ke Neechay finally hit the theatres and the buzz was tangible.

Sana's look was glamorous and her character hard-hitting. The Sheikh-Sana pairing has always been a success whether it was in the average Mujhay Jeenay Do or the spectacular Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa, which went on to become the biggest hit of all times.

So with KAKN, expectations were high as well. And on the personal front, her engagement to Lollywood stud, Fakhar Imam, will end in a grand wedding by the end of this year, even though her involvement with Javed Sheikh and recently, Emraan Hashmi, became tabloid fodder, instigating media frenzy. Sana put an end to all the vicious tongue wagging and chose Imam as her man for life. Atta girl, Sana! What a retort to all the fabricated scandals. So, 2008 belongs to Sana.

Be it the rain-drenched mutyaar strutting her stuff in the raunchy "Paindi Aey Barsaat Wey" in Humayun Gujjar in Bari Studios or the sari clad sophisticated girl singing "Tum Milay Jab Se" in Ye Dil Aap ka Huwa, Sana is at ease with all the characters she has played over the years.

She is one of the few film divas who have successfully survived in the industry sans being involved in petty politics, cutting and scheming. Whatever she says makes sense. She is not painfully uncouth like the rest of her contemporaries and her conversation lacks the vulgar abuse which is regularly employed by most of the Lollywood leading ladies.

She is the only heroine who is bankable other than Saima and a safe bet at the box-office. Plus she has a reputation of minding her own business. If that doesn't make her unique, I don't know what else would.

I remember meeting Sana in 1995, her debut year. There she was, quietly stashed up in a private corner of Syed Noor's glass room in Sangam, her first film. Politeness knew no bounds and silence was at its best. Co-star Shaan (being a typical Casanova) was trying his best to titillate the new starlet (old habits die hard), but the newcomer was adamant and would not succumb.

SanaI knew Sana was a star even before she had given her first shot. She was always ambitious and passionate about her work and eventually she catapulted to immense fame. Senior contemporary, Reema, predicted stardom for Sana the same year in an interview she gave to me for an English daily stating that out of all the newcomers, Sana will do the best and will achieve success slowly but steadily. And so she did, as she quietly made inroads into the mainstream Lollywood.

As she entered my studio for the shoot and interview, I was astounded to see a slimmer Sana. And even though she could still shed a few more pounds, her figure is fit for a film diva. My first question was obviously about her recently acquired slim status, and she eagerly replied, All credit actually goes to Fakhar.

He's a fitness freak and inspired me to shed the extra kilos. We enjoy working out together and it's become a routine for us to go to the gym daily. Hmm And that's not the only change that her fiance has brought about in her life. Sana has also become a heavy bike rider, something Fakhar loves doing, and he has a collection of heavy bikes which they both ride every now and then for fun.

Oh my goodness, the young man is already bringing about positive changes in her life. But then, she being a film diva and he a novice, how did the two meet, when did Cupid strike, and they decide to spend their lives with each other? Sana shies and smiles, I did a few films with him.

We were not paired together but did have scenes together. So we met on the sets and as I got to know him better, I discovered his good side and soon we got along like a house on fire. As the meetings continued in various rendezvous, we eventually fell in love and decided to tie the knot.

So is she all excited and geared for a lavish wedding this year? After all, our film industry needs some happy moments in this sad state of affairs. Sure, she said. I would love to have a big wedding with friends and family. It has to be the event of the year. I am so happy and so is he and we have not hidden anything from anybody, so we will have a blast. That's great. But will she continue her film career after the wedding? See, I have not decided as yet, she confirmed. Fakhar has no issue, my in-laws are extremely cooperative.

It is up to me what I do. I might or might not. But isn't it difficult to leave the limelight and glamour, I asked. I have achieved whatever I wanted to, she said. I have seen the peak of my career; I have fame, money and success. What else is there? I am lucky that I have come across such a gentleman to be my life partner. So why shouldn't I settle down? After all, every girl wants to do that eventually.