While the golden age of film and television in Pakistan still survives in the grainy haze of old formats, the leading ladies of that era give further proof of its charm and magnetism with their enduring beauty. These ladies show us that age is just an excuse; looking one’s best is possible at every stage of one’s life. Instep pays tribute to these inspirational evergreen beauties.
Atiqa Odho
Now also a philanthropist and the owner of beauty line Odho Cosmetics, Atiqa Odho balances the demands of those two careers on her appearance and style with ease. When she’s not playing one of her avidly followed TV roles, such as her turn as the head-covering, jewelry-laden mother-in-law in the ongoing TV serial Bahu Begum, Odho exudes understated elegance and her perfectly made up face accentuates her facial features just right. We have to say that she looked more like herself as Ashar Hussain’s venomous but stately mother Farida in Humsafar. Her wedding pictures from two years ago had many a young girl sigh and say a prayer in hope for such long-lasting beauty.
Marina Khan
One has to admire Marina Khan for her de-glammed look. No one sports spectacles and a head full of salt and pepper hair as their signature with such aplomb. The veteran actress needs to be appreciated for the simple fact of looking comfortable in her own skin, which is an unfortunate rarity these days, as several of her contemporaries have taken to trying to look like younger versions of themselves. Marina Khan gives her female viewers, young and old, an important lesson in ageing with grace.
Samina Peerzada
Samina Peerzada never fails to look radiant, and it’s not just because of her million-watt smile. She commands attention as she sweeps her sari-clad self into a room with her sheet of long black hair, perfectly kohled eyes and vibrant lip shades. She finds many admirers of her traditional taste.
Zeba Bakhtiar
Being mother to her grown son, Azaan Sami Khan, and memories of her Bollywood stint Henna from 1991, are the only tell-tale signs of Zeba Bakhtiar’s senior status in the industry, for she has barely any wrinkles that would give away her age. Fresh skin, a slender figure and enviable poise has her turning heads still.