The recipient of UNICEF’s most prestigious Glory of Country Award, model turned-actor Umer Rehman...
US TALK
The recipient of UNICEF’s most prestigious Glory of Country Award, model turned-actor Umer Rehman is more than what he appears onscreen. His off-screen life, as a philanthropist, is hidden from the camera, but that is what brings the true colours in his real life than those of the reel’s one.
It’s very rare in the fashion industry to find young models like you engaged in philanthropic activities. How did it all start?
My urge to serve ailing people took me to a Psychiatric Hospital where I volunteered to work for the patients suffering from epidemiology, bipolar, dyslexia, epilepsy, Schizophrenia, etc.,
where I found the most difficult set of patients, most of whom were educated individuals but were suffering from condensed auditory hallucinations, false beliefs, confused thinking, abnormal social behavior and failure to recognize what is real.
Each patient I met at the psychiatric ward was a story in itself and each story was a realization for me about how much mankind is in pain and how minuscule role, the fortunate ones like us, are playing to help them mitigate their sufferings. I therefore, decided to do what I could to alleviate the suffering of such people.
How can people help those in need, especially those who are not affluent themselves?
Regardless of your income level, even if you are listening to the grievances of an aggrieved person or helping a visually impaired person cross the road safely, it’s a good deed and depiction of one’s moral values. We need to be kind hearted, always ready to help others in some way or the other.
What was your next endeavor for the social good?
I volunteered for Special Olympics where I served the special people and found how gifted they are. It’s true that Almighty God blesses one aplenty with other distinguished qualities when He gives them something less than others.
How did your work get noticed by UNICEF?
UNICEF’s representatives working for South East Asia noticed and brought my contribution for the social good to the knowledge of their officials. I couldn’t believe when one fine day I got to know that I was declared as the worthy recipient of UNICEF’s most coveted Glory of Country Award 2020. The official ceremony was to be held in Sri Lanka but due to the pandemic it was postponed. It was really very overwhelming for me that I brought international acclaim for my country. I also donated the UNICEF’s entire cash award for charity.
How did you enter showbiz?
It was designer Ashar Naqvi who approached me through Facebook for a shoot. Later, photographer Imran Khan made my profile strong with back to back shoots. That’s how I got noticed at higher level. But it was Citrus Talent that took my career to the next level, bringing me loads of TVCs namely McDonald’s, Jazz, Himalaya Herbal, Oppa, Vava Car, Bank Alflah, Food Panda, etc.
Who are the designers you have worked with and what brands have you endorsed?
I have worked with Amir Adnan, Humayun Alamgir, Deepak & Fahad, Afzal Ahmed, etc. I have an array of mighty brands to my credit like Diners, Cotton & Silk, Kurta Corner, High Street, Edge Republic, etc.
As a model what is the most memorable project of your career so far?
It was a commercial shoot, held in Dubai, where I shared the screen with super star Ayza Khan whom I found a truly gifted, thoroughly professional and incredibly talented artist.
How has your showbiz journey been so far?
Media has treated me nicely. The dedicated team of Citrus Talent gave me the wings to take off effortlessly and didn’t let hurdles come my way. I always make sure that things I agree to undertake, go well and nobody suffers due to me. On sets I am a totally dedicated artist and with the director’s call to “pack up”, Umer, the person, leaves the sets and resumes his life as a son, brother, philanthropist and young entrepreneur.
- Photography:
Imran Khan
