Amira Masood

Amira Shah
Portrayed by	Preeya Kalidas
Duration	2009—
First appearance	7 May 2009
Classification	Present; regular
In-universe information Occupation Beautician, Caterer

Amira Shah is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Preeya Kalidas.

Personality

Kalidas describes her character as "a bit of a socialite [who] kind of kicks up a bit of fuss in Albert Square." Elliot revealed that "she's a rich daddy's girl and it's hard not to make the association between Syed and money. There's certainly an honest attraction there and I think he does love her. But the money that her father has might be an additional aspect of their relationship. Amira comes in and ruffles a few feathers, especially Zainab's. Obviously with Syed being a mummy's boy, she has to have her say. I don't think Zainab would be happy with anyone that Syed's with — they'd have to be absolutely perfect. Mummy Masood will be doing a lot of meddling and locking horns with Amira." She has also been described as "very high maintenance", "spoilt and snobbish" and "a lonely and insecure girl".

Storylines

Backstory

Amira's backstory was revealed in an interview with Kalidas: "Amira doesn't have a mother, as she died when she was really young. She lives with her father, who's a big businessman — she met Syed through him. Her dad works in property, so Amira comes from wealth. One day her father just disappears, so she has no one else and her house is repossessed. She only has her clothes."

2009—

Amira is the girlfriend of Syed Masood (Marc Elliott), the son of established characters Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) and Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia). She arrives when Zainab invites her for dinner. Syed's brother Tamwar (Himesh Patel) reveals to Amira that he is not as successful as she believes. She insults the family and Masood asks her to leave, and her relationship with Syed ends. She returns a month later to meet Syed in the park, and they talk until he becomes suspicious of her. The next day she arrives unexpectedly, claiming her father has disappeared and she is homeless. Syed attempts to hide her upstairs but her presence is soon known throughout the family. Syed persuades Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) to rent a room to Amira, however, Janine thinks Syed is moving in and is shocked when she discovers who really is. A few days later Amira, who is still trying to get into Zainab's good books, takes over for Zainab at Bushra's event and sings beautifully to the guests.

Amira begins to get to know Albert Square and its residents, and Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) tells her about Janine's past. Amira reveals to everyone at Dawn Swann's (Kara Tointon) party that Janine was once a prostitute. She gets a job at Tanya Branning's (Jo Joyner) beauty salon after beating Janine in a trial. During Amira's celebration for getting the job, Janine congratulates her, but then tells her she has decided to kick her out of the flat. Following this Amira finds a home with Syd Chambers (Nina Toussaint-White) and her son Noah (Micah Thomas). Syed proposes to Amira, leaving Christian Clarke (John Partridge) shocked, as unbeknown to Amira, Christian and Syed have slept together and Christian believes Syed is in denial about his sexuality. Before the engagement party, she confesses to Christian that her father is in Pentonville Prison for fraud. She tells Zainab this, and she is initially angry, but says that if she keeps Syed happy, the wedding will go ahead.

External links

• Amira Shah at BBC Online