Amna Mufti

Amna Mufti
Mufti in 2021
Mufti in 2021
BornLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupation
LanguageUrdu
NationalityPakistani
EducationUniversity of the Punjab

Amna Mufti (Punjabi, Urdu: آمنہ مفتی) is a screenwriter, columnist and author from Pakistan. She has written more than five novels and more than twenty television series. Her accolades include a Lux Style Award and a PEN Award.[1][2]

Early life

She spend her childhood in a remote village near the Sutlej River.[1] Since her childhood, she wanted to become a scientist being inspired by Marie Curie and had no inclination towards writing.[3] She used to write poems in her school and college days and composed her first verse at the age of six.[1] She sent her ghazals to Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi who rejected it and motivate her to write novels instead of poems.[4]

Personal life

Mufti is a professor at Punjab University, Lahore.[5] In 2023, she shifted to UAE on receiving the golden Visa.[6]

Career

As an author

She wrote her first short story Phir Wohi Dasht which was published in Adab Dost in 1998. It was published in Adab Dost in May 1998.[4] In 2020, her novel about the water crisis Pani Mar Raha Hai was published.[3]

As a screenwriter

She made her debut as a screenwriter in 2012 when she approached Babar Javed and wrote Ek Hatheli Pe Hina Ek Hatheli Pe Lahoo.[3] She then gave the idea of another series based on dowry problems in Pakistan which was accepted readily and she wrote the Jahez resultantly which aired on Geo Entertainment in the same year.[3] For the series, she received her first Lux Style Award nomination as a Best Television Writer at the 12th Lux Style Awards.[7]

In 2013, the adaptation of her short story Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi was aired on Hum TV for which she wrote the screenplay as well. The series was directed by Kashif Nisar and Mufti received critical acclaim for her script and Best Television Writer Award at the 13th Lux Style Awards. The script of the series was later made available as a book.[4][8]

In 2017, she adapted the Amrita Pritam's 1950 novel Pinjar for television which broadcast on TV One as Ghughi. Amar Khan and Adnan Siddiqui played the leads in it and Mufti was nominated for Best Television Writer at the 18th Lux Style Awards.[9][10]

In 2018, she wrote Aakhri Station deals with issues such as such as women's rights, mental and health hazards, acid attacks, forced prostitution, and domestic violence. The series was directed by Sarmad Khoosat and produced by Kashf Foundation.[9]

Based on several social evils such as child abuse sex trafficking, she wrote Dil Na Umeed To Nahi which was directed by Kashif Nisar and produced by Kashf Foundation. Mufti received her fourth nomination as a Best Television Writer for the series at the 21st Lux Style Awards.[11]

Influence

Mufti is influenced by Qurratulain Hyder and Altaf Fatima in writing.[1][9]

Publications

  • Jurrat-e-Rindana (جرآت رندانہ)
  • Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi (الو براۓ فروخت نہیں)
  • Aakhri Zaman (آخری زمانہ)[12]
  • Pani Mar Raha Hai (پانی مر رہا ہے)[3]

Screenwriting

Television

Film

  • Khaemae Mein Matt Jhankain[10]

Awards

Lux Style Awards

Year Category Project Result Ref.
2013 Best Television Writer Jahez Nominated [7]
2014 Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi Won [8]
2019 Ghughi Nominated [13]
2022 Dil Na Umeed To Nahi Nominated [14]

Other accolades

  • 2006—PEN Award for Best Debut[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "It's a sin to behave like a sheep in herd: Amna Mufti". Daily Times. 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Amna Mufti opens up about her meeting with PM Imran Khan". Daily Pakistan. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Muhammad Ali (4 May 2020). "Amna Mufti talks about her environmental fiction Paani Mar Raha Hai".
  4. ^ a b c Rumana Husain (12 October 2014). ""It's important for writers to read, reflect and evaluate other writings critically"". The News International.
  5. ^ Afreen (11 April 2021). "In conversation with Amna Mufti". The News International.
  6. ^ Mahwash Ajaz (31 October 2023). "I find strength and empowerment in the UAE: Pakistan writer Amna Mufti". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b "12th Annual LUX Style Awards nominations". The Nation. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "13th Lux Style awards: And the winners are..." Dawn. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Afreen Seher (11 April 2021). "In conversation with Amna Mufti - Instep". The News International. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Adnan Siddiqui unveils first look of his serial Ghughi". The Nation. 2 January 2018.
  11. ^ "'Dil Na Umeed to Nahin' will address child abuse and trafficking". Daily Times. 16 January 2021.
  12. ^ Rumana Husain (12 October 2014). ""It's important for writers to read, reflect and evaluate other writings critically"". The News International.
  13. ^ Images Staff (30 March 2019). "Lux Style Award 2019 nominations are out!". DAWN IMAGES.
  14. ^ "LSA 2022: And the nominees are". The Express Tribune. 23 November 2022.