Yumna Zaidi has added yet another shining milestone to an already distinguished career, earning her first-ever film award “Best Film Actress of the Year” for her debut feature Nayab at the 24th Lux Style Awards.
The well-celebrated performer collected what is now her seventh consecutive LSA, marking a rare achievement that places her in a league of her own within Pakistan’s entertainment landscape.
Known for a decade of critically acclaimed television work, the Ishq Zehnaseeb actress entered cinema with Nayab, a film that allowed her to transition from small-screen mastery to the demands of big-screen storytelling. Her portrayal anchored the narrative with the emotional nuance and grounded realism that have become synonymous with her craft.
Nayab follows the inspiring journey of a young woman named Nayab, who lives in Karachi with big dreams of becoming a cricketer and representing Pakistan in international competitions. Despite growing up in a middle-class family where societal expectations and traditional roles weigh heavily, especially for women, she refuses to give up on her passion for the sport.
What makes her pursuit even more challenging is the lack of support from certain family members and the pressures to conform to conventional paths rather than break new ground in a male-dominated game.
Her older brother becomes her biggest ally, guiding her through the hurdles of joining a cricket academy and helping her chase her ambitious dream. Along the way, Nayab must navigate familial conflict, financial strain, and cultural biases, all while building resilience and proving that determination can break barriers.
The film blends sports drama with family dynamics, exploring not just Nayab’s growth as an athlete but also the relationships that shape her identity and ambitions.
What makes this moment particularly notable is the symmetry between Yumna’s longstanding record on television and the immediate impact of her move into film.
Winning six LSAs back-to-back for TV roles had already established her as the most-awarded female lead in LSA history. This seventh win, however, expands her legacy beyond the medium that shaped her early stardom.
The evening itself reflected that evolution. Dressed in a shimmering pastel ensemble, Zaidi accepted the trophy with the same humility and warmth that fans and colleagues have come to appreciate. Her speech, centred on gratitude underscored that the achievement belongs not just to her but to the team behind Nayab.
