Huma Qureshi

Huma Saleem Qureshi is an Indian actress and entrepreneur who has built a reputation for selecting complex roles across commercial and independent cinema. Born in Delhi, she studied history before transitioning to modeling and acting. Her career took off after being discovered by director Anurag Kashyap during a commercial shoot, leading to a breakout performance in the 2012 crime drama Gangs of Wasseypur. That role earned her a Filmfare Award nomination and established her as a serious performer capable of handling gritty, unconventional characters.

Over the last decade, Qureshi has expanded her portfolio to include international projects like Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and acclaimed web series such as Leila and Maharani. In 2026, she continues to work actively while venturing into fashion entrepreneurship with her saree brand Freefall. She remains one of the most recognizable faces in modern Hindi cinema, known for her bold choices and distinct screen presence. [edit]

Huma Saleem Qureshi was born into a Muslim family in Delhi, where her father ran a restaurant. While pursuing higher education in History at Delhi University, she developed a strong interest in theater and modeling. To support herself financially during her college years, she signed a two-year contract with Hindustan Unilever to appear in television commercials. This period of working multiple jobs laid the groundwork for her professional life, teaching her discipline and resilience.

Her trajectory shifted dramatically during a shoot for a Samsung mobile commercial. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap noticed her natural screen presence and offered her a three-film deal. This opportunity marked the end of her struggle phase and the beginning of her acting career. Before this moment, she had no industry connections or formal training beyond her university studies and self-driven interest in performance arts. The transition from a student walking to save money in Mumbai to a signed actress happened quickly, driven by that single chance encounter on set. [edit]

Qureshi made her acting debut in 2012 with Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur, playing Nagma Pasha. Her raw performance earned critical acclaim and a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She followed this up with roles in black comedy Dedh Ishqiya (2014) and the revenge drama Badlapur (2015). These early projects showcased her ability to navigate dark, intense narratives alongside mainstream comedies.

In 2019, she starred in the dystopian web series Leila, receiving praise for her lead role as Radha. Her international reach grew in 2021 when she appeared in Zack Snyder's zombie thriller Army of the Dead and began starring in the Amazon Prime Video series Maharani as the Chief Minister of Bihar. The latter role won her a Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2022. She continued to deliver standout performances in films like Monica, O My Darling (2022) and the Tamil action thriller Valimai (2022).

By 2026, Qureshi had diversified her career significantly. She produced and starred in the film Toxic, portraying a sign-language assassin. Later that year, she launched her own saree brand, Freefall, in collaboration with the handloom label Dressfolk. She also attended the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, advocating for the global reach of Indian talent. Her work in 2026 solidified her status as a versatile artist and businesswoman. [edit]

Known for her old-school glamour, Huma Qureshi often wears sleek gowns at red carpet events. At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2026, she wore a strapless black gown that highlighted her classic aesthetic. The media portrays her as a serious actor who chooses scripts based on character complexity rather than commercial appeal alone. She is frequently described as bold, unapologetic, and a long-game player in the entertainment industry. Her advocacy work, particularly defending co-stars against online harassment, has further cemented her image as a principled figure in Bollywood. [edit]

Huma Qureshi commands a substantial following across digital platforms, though her audience remains an organic collective rather than a formally organized institution with a specific name. Her Instagram handle @iamhumaq draws roughly ten million followers, and her presence on X under @humasqureshi reflects direct engagement without the structured campaigns or ritualistic gatherings seen in more institutionalized fanbases. There are no documented records of fan-funded projects, organized charity drives, or viral folklore regarding crowd disruptions tied to her appearances. While she has cultivated a reputation for bold role choices that resonate with viewers, the public narrative lacks the specific myths or legendary incidents often associated with celebrity icons.

Within the broader landscape of global entertainment attention, which tracks media coverage and consumption signals across diverse regions, her standing is precisely quantified by recent assessments. She is currently the 76th most famous person in Bollywood, a placement recorded in the September 2026 cycle of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This metric places her among the most recognized figures in the Hindi film industry, reflecting her sustained visibility through complex character portrayals and high-profile productions like Toxic. The ranking underscores her transition from a newcomer in Gangs of Wasseypur to a central figure in contemporary cinema, recognized not merely for screen time but for the distinct impact of her career trajectory. [edit]

Huma Qureshi used to walk long distances to save money during her struggling days in Mumbai before her career took off. Her debut salary for Gangs of Wasseypur was reportedly just ₹65,000. She is a trained Kathak dancer, which influenced her physicality in roles like the assassin in Toxic. She is fluent in Hindi, English, and Urdu. In August 2026, she publicly criticized trolls who shamed co-star Kiara Advani over intimate scenes in the song "Tabaahi" from Toxic, describing the harassment as sick and disgusting. This advocacy sparked a broader conversation about misogyny in Bollywood. She is also set to star in the upcoming film Baby Do Die Do as a mysterious female assassin named "Baby Karmarkar." During the shoot of Toxic, she praised pregnant Kiara Advani for powering through a rain scene despite her condition. [edit]

Huma Qureshi was born to a Muslim family in Delhi. Her father, Saleem, is a well-known restaurant owner. She grew up in a household that supported her education and eventual move to Mumbai to pursue acting. While she keeps her personal life private, she has occasionally shared stories about her upbringing and the values instilled in her by her parents. She does not have any publicly known siblings or children. Her focus remains on her career and her entrepreneurial ventures rather than public family disclosures. [edit]

Anurag Kashyap, Madhuri Dixit, Rajinikanth, Kiara Advani, Imran Khan, Mika Singh, Zack Snyder. [edit]

As of 2026, Huma Qureshi is publicly single. There are no confirmed reports of marriages, engagements, or long-term romantic partnerships. Unlike many peers in the industry, she maintains a strictly private personal life. Over the years, there have been occasional tabloid rumors linking her to co-stars from films like Dedh Ishqiya and Badlapur, but none were ever confirmed by credible sources or the actress herself.

Interviews in 2026 focus on her career ambitions, production ventures, and advocacy rather than romance. She has not publicly disclosed any dating history. Her relationship status remains Single, and she has no children. The lack of public relationships allows her to maintain a low profile outside of her professional endeavors. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Huma Qureshi's net worth at approximately $3 million. This figure reflects her earnings from over a decade of acting, production work, and recent business ventures. Her primary income streams include premium fees for lead roles in web series and films, particularly after the success of Maharani and Toxic. Through her production house, she earns revenue from developing and producing content like Toxic.

While selective with endorsements, she has secured lucrative deals for lifestyle and fashion brands. The launch of Freefall in September 2026 represents a new revenue stream. Collaborating with Dressfolk, this handloom saree brand targets the luxury ethnic wear market, potentially adding significant value to her portfolio beyond acting salaries. She owns property in Mumbai and Delhi, though specific valuations are not public. Her financial trajectory shows steady growth as she diversifies into entrepreneurship. [edit]

Huma Qureshi has received several accolades throughout her career, including a Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Maharani in 2022. She has also received three Filmfare Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for her debut in Gangs of Wasseypur. Her work in Leila and Maharani has been cited by critics as award-worthy performances within the Indian streaming landscape. [edit]