Sonya Jehan facts for kids

Sonya Rizvi (Urdu: سونیا جہاں; born 24 April 1980), known as Sonya Jehan, is an actress from France and Pakistan. She mainly acts in Urdu and Hindi movies. She is the granddaughter of the famous singer Noor Jehan and filmmaker Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. Sonya is known for her supporting roles in popular films. These include the Indian drama My Name Is Khan (2010), the English thriller The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012), and the Pakistani musical Ho Mann Jahaan (2015). Her role in Ho Mann Jahaan earned her a nomination for a Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Besides acting, she has been a judge on a cooking show. She also owns a French restaurant in Karachi called Cafe Flo.

Early Life and Family Connections

Sonya Jehan was born on 24 April 1980 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Her father, Akbar Hussain Rizvi, is a businessman from Karachi. Her mother, Florence Rizvi, is French. Sonya's original name was Sonya Rizvi. She changed her last name to Jehan to honor her grandmother, the legendary singer Noor Jehan.

She has a brother named Sikander Rizvi, who is also an actor and restaurant owner. Sonya is the granddaughter of the famous filmmaker Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. She is also the niece of singer Zille Huma and the first cousin of actor Ahmed Ali Butt.

Education and Early Studies

Sonya Jehan completed her early education in Karachi. She studied at the Centre of Advanced Studies and The Lyceum School. After that, she moved to London for her higher studies. She earned a bachelor's degree in design from the Central St Martins College of Art and Design. She returned to Pakistan in the same year.

Acting Career Highlights

Sonya Jehan started her acting career in 2005. Her first film was the romantic historical movie Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story. In this film, she acted alongside Kabir Bedi. Sonya played the role of Mumtaz Mahal. The movie received mixed reviews, but Sonya's acting was praised by critics.

Notable Film Roles

In 2007, Sonya appeared in Khoya Khoya Chand, a romantic drama directed by Sudhir Mishra. She starred with Shiney Ahuja. This film was about the lives of celebrities in the 1950s film industry. Critics liked the movie, and Sonya received good reviews for her performance.

Her next big role was in the 2010 social drama My Name Is Khan. This film was directed by Karan Johar. Sonya played a religious American Muslim professor. She acted alongside famous stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The movie was set in America and received positive feedback. Sonya's acting was especially praised. My Name Is Khan was a very successful Bollywood film that year.

In 2013, Sonya Jehan made her Hollywood debut in The Reluctant Fundamentalist. This political thriller was directed by Mira Nair. The film was based on a novel by Mohsin Hamid. Sonya played Professor Nadia, working with actors like Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson. Her performance was highly praised by critics.

Success in Pakistani Cinema

Sonya Jehan then starred in the 2016 musical drama Ho Mann Jahaan. This coming-of-age film was directed by Asim Raza. She acted alongside Sheheryar Munawar, Mahira Khan, and Adeel Hussain. Sonya played Sabina, a strong and independent woman. Both the film and her acting received praise when it was released. Ho Mann Jahaan was a big success and one of the highest-grossing Pakistani films ever. Sonya was nominated for a Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in this movie.

Personal Life and Businesses

Sonya Jehan married Vivek Narain, an Indian banker, in 2005. They live in Delhi, India. The couple has two children, a daughter named Noor and a son named Nirvan.

Sonya and her husband Vivek own a special club called The Quorum. It has branches in Gurgaon and Mumbai. Sonya also manages the food and drinks for a restaurant next door called Coalesce. Her family also owns a French-themed restaurant in Karachi called Cafe Flo.

Filmography