Moammar Rana

Personal life

Family

Moammar Rana belongs to a cricketing dynasty: his father Shafqat Rana has played some Test matches for Pakistan and also served as national cricket team selector twice, his uncle Azmat Rana (d. 2015) played one Test match, another uncle, Shakoor Rana (d. 2001), was a well-known umpire whose two sons Mansoor and Maqsood played a few ODIs, while yet another uncle, Sultan Rana, played first-class matches before becoming a cricket administrator.

Politics

In 2019, Rana joined the Pakistan People's Party, making the announcement alongside PPP's Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Career

Actor

Films

Moammar Rana made his film debut with Kudiyon Ko Dale Dana (1996) as a second lead actor. He got his first break in Deewane Tere Pyar Ke in 1997, a blockbuster. Moammar's film Choorian (1998) which was directed by Syed Noor became the highest grossing Pakistani Punjabi film earning Rs20 crore (US$4.4 million) at the box office. In 1999, he appeared in the ensemble romantic film Pal Do Pal, which was directed by late Shamim Ara. Some of his other notable releases include Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa (2002), Fire (2002), Koi Tujh Sa Kahan (2005), Jhoomar (2007) and Channa Sachi Muchi (2010).

He has worked in the Bollywood film Dobara (2004) with actress Mahima Chaudhry in a special appearance and made his Bollywood debut as a lead role in Ek Second... Jo Zindagi Badal De? (2010) opposite Manisha Koirala and former Miss India Nikita Anand.

In 2018, Rana was seen in the film Azaadi which was based on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, and was directed and produced by Imran Malik. For his role in Azaadi, Rana increased his fitness training and focused on developing a stoic, intense on-screen presence. He performed his own action sequences, including carrying a 45 kg gun, and described the filming process, especially in remote locations lacking basic amenities, as a physically and mentally demanding experience that made him feel "like a soldier." Despite receiving unfavorable reviews, the film emerged as a success on local box office.

Television series

Rana distanced himself from Punjabi films early in his career and took a four-year hiatus before relocating to Karachi to begin work on his own film. During this period, he briefly paused to act in a film by Syed Noor and appeared in a few television serials, though he expressed a clear preference for cinema, stating that the big screen held a special charm and suited him best.

Director

Moammar is set to make his debut as film director for the film Sikander, where he plays the lead actor, which has been in making since 2015. In August 2016, Moammar was reported as saying that the film was at the final stage and he was in talks with cinema owners to exhibit it.

Selected filmography

Films

Television series

Awards and nominations

Lux Style Awards

References

References

1. "Moammar Rana's Daughter is set for her Acting Debut". Bol News.
2. (28 May 2018). "I've become Pakistan's Rambo after Azaadi, says Moammar Rana". Dawn (newspaper).
3. "The Challenges of Globalization". DIANE Publishing.
4. Khan, Khalid H.. (2 June 2015). "Former Pakistan cricketer Azmat Rana passes away".
5. (7 January 2019). "Actor Moammar Rana in PPP folds".
6. Sidra Khan (30 June – 6 July 2018). "[https://magtheweekly.com/detail/3290-moammar-rana-star-of-the-masses Moammar Rana – STAR OF THE MASSES]". ''Mag The Weekly''. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250626081345/https://magtheweekly.com/detail/3290-moammar-rana-star-of-the-masses Archived link].
7. [https://tribune.com.pk/story/693387/did-you-know-balding-moammar-rana-takes-a-break-from-acting/ Did you know? : Balding Moammar Rana takes a break from acting] The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 9 April 2014, Retrieved 19 June 2020
8. [https://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/article/10371 News From Abroad: Pakistani Superstar Cast in Bollywood Movie (scroll down to read this title)] University Of California (Asia Pacific Center) website, Published 23 April 2004, Retrieved 19 June 2020
9. [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Ek-Second-Jo-Zindagi-Badal-de/movie-review/6037599.cms Ek Second...Jo Zindagi Badal De (Movie Review)] Times of India (newspaper), Published 20 April 2016, Retrieved 19 June 2020
10. [https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/02/05/pakistani-film-azaadi-to-present-story-of-struggling-kashmiris/ Pakistani film 'Azaadi' to present story of struggling Kashmiris] Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 5 February 2017, Retrieved 19 June 2020
11. "Moammar Rana starrer Azaadi comes as surprise Eid package - Entertainment - Dunya News". Dunya News.
12. Saadia Qamar. (29 September 2015). "Big screen and even bigger stints". The Express Tribune (newspaper).
13. (12 June 2015). "Shoaib Akhtar debuts in Pakistani film 'Sikander'". Pakistan Times Online (newspaper).
14. (2016-08-02). "Film Sikander to be released shortly".
15. Syed Firdaus Ashraf. (10 April 2004). "Don't call me Akshay Kumar!".
16. [https://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/print/1151763 Moammar Rana and Sonya Hussyn's upcoming movie finally gets a title! HIP in Pakistan website] Published 31 January 2017, Retrieved 19 June 2020
17. Laiba Butt. (11 January 2018). "Pakistani movies set to release in 2018".
18. "Aar Paar (2023) – Cast & Crew".
19. Danial, Sara. (14 April 2025). "Review: Qulfee reminds us of the very real risks in our hyper-digital lives".
20. "Roshan Sitara on 7th Sky Entertainment's website".