Maria Wasti () is a Pakistani film and television actress and host. She currently hosts the game show Croron Mein Khel on the Pakistani television channel BOL Entertainment.
Early life
Early years Maria Wasti was born in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. She spent her early years there before moving to Pakistan with her family. She is the niece of actors Rizwan Wasti and Tahira Wasti. Wasti's parents wanted her to be a doctor, but she preferred a career in entertainment. At the time, the only television network in the country was the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation. It would be later in the 1990s that Network Television Marketing (NTM), the country's first privately owned channel, showcased content specifically targeted at the young generation, and Wasti became interested in acting.
Career First teleplay In the mid-1990s, Wasti was approached by Bakhtiar Ahmed, the program manager of Pakistan Television Lahore Centre, to be cast in a play called Sarah Aur Ammara alongside Resham, a film actress. The teleplay highlighted a story about two sisters going through the turmoil of arranged marriages. She has since done over 50 serials and around the same number of assorted plays.Rendezvous: Maria Wasti
Acting as a career Wasti recalls that her first experience in acting was because of her passion for art, but later her parents told her to pursue the career in a professional manner. After her first stunt, Wasti began receiving roles in various other plays in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad centers for Pakistan Television. She reminisces that people were skeptical when she stepped into acting, but once she proved herself, they started accepting her.
She considers Bano Qudsia and Kallo among her most memorable plays. In other equally applauded roles, she played a victim in Baadlon Par Basera, who is forcefully led into marriage with a man in the United States on the phone, and when she meets him for the first time, she realizes the man is older than the picture she saw him in.
Wasti is usually seen playing unglamorous roles involving sensitive issues regarding women in Pakistan. She has played roles depicting prominent women like Salma Murad and Bilquis Edhi. Wasti is known for being outspoken on various issues like women's rights, harassment, gender equality, and prejudice.
Recent ventures Wasti has said that new Pakistani plays should portray issues of contemporary Pakistan. She names drugs and AIDS as being among the most sensitive. She also cites the reason for the decrease in the quality of drama serials as the lack of a supply of actors, actresses, writers, directors, and producers.
In view of these thoughts, Wasti opened a production house in 2002, where she has successfully produced several serials and a dozen of plays.
Filmography
Television YearTitleRole Network Notes1995ShakhsarRafyaPTV1996Adam ZaadSakeenaAnthology: Hairat Kadah1997AshiyanaSaima1998Kallo1999Sarah Aur AmmaraEhsaas Thori Si ZindagiBoota from Toba Tek SinghZulekha Chandpur Ka ChandooFareeha2000 TawanMunazza2001Apno Se DoorBaadlon Par BaseraShamailDharkanSheeshay Ka Mehal2002Dunya DariMehvish2003ShanakhtNishat2004MaaShaziMooratKousarARY DigitalNominated–Lux Style Awards for Best TV ActressAangan Bhar ChandniNeela AasmanPTV2005AandhiRiyasatAyeshaLux Style Awards for Best Actress2006 NeendKuch Dil Ne KahaShaistaNominated–Lux Style Awards for Best TV Actress2007 Thori Door Saath Chalo2008KhandaanKaunAagShumayla2009 Saray GamayRakshiPTV Home Jab Hatheli Par Chand Likhna Tujh Pe Qurban MariaKuch Unkahi BaatainBuri Aurat2010Tere LiyeWoh ChaarEpisode 8, 11Aey Ishq Hamain Barbad Na Ker Diya Jalay Seemab 2011 Love Kay Liye Ruswa Sundari/ TayyabaAurat Ka Ghar KonsaNayabNominated–PTV Awards for Best ActressAkhri BarishKaali Aankhain2012Behkawa MayaSasural Ke Rang AnokhayEpisode 7Kitni Girhain Baqi HainVarious EpisodesBand Baje GaBarish Kay Ansoo2013Kahani Eik Raat KiEpisode 15Kabhi KabhiRehaai ShehnazNominated–Hum Awards for Best Supporting ActressKalmoohi HusnaMeri Ladli Arfa 2014Malika-e-Aliya Malika Aliya2015KhoatBojhKaise Huye BenaamJalebiyanNoor Jahan2016 Teri Chah Mein Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain (Season 2) Episode "Tasawwur", "Garhasti"2017MalkinGulnaz Jab Hatheli Per Chand Likhna Dhund Maria2018Babban Khala Ki Betiyann Habiba "Billo"Court RoomNaik Parveen SiskiyaanUstani JeeEpisode 14, 15 Aik Aur Sitam Hai Rukhsana2019CheekhARY Digital Special appearance in promoBhookNaureenHum TVCroron Mein KhelReality show Host2020Shehr-e-MalalTabinda Express Entertainment Game Show Aisay Chalay GaCaptain "Islamabad Eagles"DikhawaEpisode "Hamdard"2022Aik Sitam AurZainabARY Digital 2023Mayi RiSamina FarebShehnazHum TV2026MuammaZulekha
Telefilm Kallo Parinda
Film Ramchand Pakistani, 2008 - Kamla Love Mein Ghum
Accolades Ceremony Category Project Result Ref. 4th Lux Style AwardsBest TV Actress (Satellite) Moorat "https://www.rewaj.pk/lux-style-awards-for-the-year-2004/" 6th Lux Style Awards Kuch Dil Nay Kaha "https://tribune.com.pk/story/239961/lux-style-awards-a-trip-down-memory-lane/" 8th Lux Style Awards Best Film Actress Ramchand Pakistani
References
External links