Waheed Murad: The Chocolate Hero of Pakistani Cinema

Waheed Murad: The Chocolate Hero of Pakistani Cinema

He was born as a hero, with a proverbial silver spoon in his mouth; he lived as a hero and died as a hero, though a tragic one. He was none other than our own Waheed Murad. 

Pakistani show business is rich with tales of legendary artists who risked all to chase their dreams. Their vision and perseverance won them success. Here is a true-life story of one such actor, the great Waheed Murad.

'The brain is wider than the sky.' Said Emily Dickinson. Let us explore how the great Waheed Murad used his intelligence to come up with the greatest movies of all time.

Waheed Murad’s style of acting and his picturization of songs in films were inimitable and were even copied in the Indian film industry. Murad is still remembered as the chocolate hero of the Pakistani silver screen.

Early Days and Education:

Waheed Murad, the only child of well-off film distributor Mr. Nisar Murad and Shireen Murad, was born on October 2, 1938. He got his early education from Karachi Grammar School or Marie Colaco School, Karachi, did graduation from S.M. Arts College Karachi, and then masters in English literature from University of Karachi. 

Dwelling on his personal life, Waheed Murad's mother tongue was Punjabi. His height was five feet, eleven inches and his weight was one hundred fifty eight pounds, when he was in good health.

Professional Career:

In his twenty- three- year movie career, 1960- 1983, Waheed Murad worked in one hundred twenty three movies.

His unparalleled style in the then Pakistan's vibrant cinema appealed to the masses. In the words of Ilyas Rashdi, founder of Nigar Awards, 'Waheed Murad was a born hero.'

Waheed Murad stepped into Pakistani cinema as a filmmaker. His first film as producer was 'Insaan badalta hai', in 1961. His second production was 'Jab say dekha hai tumhain', in 1963.

As an actor he was firstly appeared in a supporting role in 1962's Aulad directed by S.M. Yousuf. The film got the Nigar award for the best film for the year. ‘Heera aur Pathar’ in 1964 was his first movie as lead actor and his major breakthrough film. He got the Nigar award in the best actor category for the same film. 

Waheed Murad's romantic-tragic characters created Pakistani cinema's most enduring and beloved personas. Essentially, Waheed Murad's movies are the essence of his creative spirit, the vital force of the human heart. Also, partly it was the sheer novelty of him.

He cheered up the silver screen with his extraordinary talent in acting and picturisation especially in romantic songs. Some of the songs that still turn many nostalgic are ‘Tumhain kaisay bata doon’, ‘Kuch log rooth kar bhi’, ‘Dil tumko dey diya’, ‘Koko korina’, ‘Jhoom aye dil wo tera jaan-e-bahar aye ga’, ‘Beetay huway khuch din aisay hain tanhai jinhain duhrati hey’, ‘Mujhe tum nazar say gira to rahay ho’, ‘Yun kho gaiy teray pyar mein hum’, ‘Socha tha piyar na karan gain’, ‘Khamosh hein nazaray’ and ‘Aye abre karam aaj itna baras’.

Reverting to the show business, movies like 'Eid Mubarak', 1965 and 'Kaneez', 1965, are still fresh in the minds of moviegoers. They have stories to tell.

For the sake of record, Waheed Murad and Zeba paired off in seventeen movies.

Waheed Murad and Shabnam teamed off in thirteen movies.

Waheed Murad and Rani worked together in twenty movies.

Waheed Murad and Shamim Ara appeared together in twelve movies.

Waheed Murad and Deeba acted together in thirteen movies.

'Armaan' is the most popular film of Waheed Murad and Zeba, which also happens to be the first platinum jubilee film of Pakistan.

In fact, Waheed Murad captured the high spirits of one of the country's most- loved songs, while picturing 'Akele na jana' on him and Zeba. He was absolutely, unequivocally as successful as an actor could be in the Pakistani movies.

Waheed Murad appeared as villain in only one film ‘Sheeshe ka Ghar’. His last film is ‘Hero’, which was released after his death in 1985.

Recognition of His Talent:

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1964 for best actor in 'Heera aur pathar'.

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1966 for best actor in 'Armaan.'

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1969 for best actor in 'Andaleeb.'

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1971 for best actor in 'Mastana mahi.'

Waheed Murad As Family Man:

Waheed Murad fell in love with Salma, a daughter of Karachi based industrialist and a Memon Ibrahim Maker, when both were in grade nine in Grammar School, Karachi. Their marriage took place on Thursday, September 17, 1964. The wedding ceremony was arranged at Nisar Murad's house in Tariq Road, Karachi.

He addressed his wife as Bibi at home.They had two daughters (Aaliya and Sadia) and one son (Adil). Sadia died in infancy and both Waheed Murad and Salma were become inconsolable. However, their two children, Aalia and Adil brought happiness and comfort to their lives. 

Craze Among Young Generation:

He loved to drive very fast. He mostly drove a Mercedes and a Volk's wagon.

Waheed was the first Rock n' Roll dancing star in South Asia. He was famously known as the 'Chocolate Hero' and 'Lady Killer'. His dressing style, the hair style, dialogues and songs used to be liked and followed by people. Waheed's hair cut was very popular among the young and was called the 'Waheed Murad cut'. In his hay days Waheed once went to Saddar area of Karachi in his white car. Realising it was Murad’s car; a group of 30 college girls covered the vehicle with lipstick kisses.

Last Days of Waheed Murad:

He had been living with his self-professed sister Mrs., Mumtaz Ayub at Defense housing society, Karachi in his last days.

He had been suffering from peptic ulcer for quite a while. But the cause of his death was a serious accident at Ravi Road, Lahore in November 1983. He was scheduled to undergo plastic surgery at Mid East Hospital, Clifton, Karachi, on Thursday, November 24, 1983, which never took place. 

This legendary actor in Armaan (1966) had earnestly urged Zeba not to go alone for how will he be able to live without her (Akele na jana hamein chorr ker tum, tumharay bina hum bhala kia jeeain gay). Ironically, on Wednesday, the 23rd of November, 1983, presumably between 2.00 a.m. and 3.00 am in the morning he decided to leave for the farewell journey all alone leaving millions of his admirers in tears.

Saeed Khan "Rangeela": The Comedy King of Pakistan Film Industry - - Versatile and Multi-Dimensional Personality of Pakistan Cinema

Mohammad Saeed Khan, Rangeela, was born on Jan 1, 1937, in Parachinar, Kurram Agency. He belonged to a Pashtun family from Afghanistan who came to Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa (Former N.W.F.P) and then settled down in Lahore. His father was a Mouazan in a local mosque. Rangeela performed in record 660 films, and over 100 stage shows in his career spanning over four decades and won numerous awards for best actor, Rangeela had six sons and eight daughters from three wives. His daughter Farah Deeba was a politician and a worker of the PML (N).

It is as difficult to measure Rangeela's influence, as it is to count his hyphens.

This body-builder- painter- actor- hero- comedian- producer- director- writer- singer- distributor- composer also happens to be the great communicator.

He moved to Lahore at a young age and earned his livelihood by painting billboards for the Lahore movie industry. But soon he realized that following the humble career of bill-board painter would not sustain his talents. Therefore, he struggled to get an appearance on the big screen. His movie career started back in the late 1950s and his efforts got fruitful results when he made his professional cinematic debut in a 1958 Punjabi film called ‘Jatti’, directed by M.J. Rana. While Aik Aur Love Story produced in 1999 was his last film. He appeared as hero in box-office hits like Do Rangeelay.



He produced and directed his first film ‘Diya aur Toofan’ in 1969 in which Ijaz and Firdous played the lead roles. He also shone as a singer and his ‘Ga Mairay Manwa Gata Ja Re’ considered as all-time hit song. He directed numerous movies under the banner of Rangeela Productions. Excellence of his acting potential was enormous in the super hit film ‘Rangeela’, released on September 11, 1970; in which he played the title role of Rangeela. He possessed that un-expressible pathos in his voice that brought tears into the eyes of the listeners. His forte was tragic songs, and he was proficient at slow numbers. Rangeela earned plaudits for his third consecutive super hit film 'Dil Aur Duniya', October 1, 1971, starring Habib-Aasia-Rangeela. The above three films were big hits at the box office enabling Saeed Khan Rangeela to complete his celluloid 'hat trick'.



Rangeela, the Comedy King, bagged numerous awards in his life which included nine Nigar Awards. Nigar Award for Best screen-writer in the film Rangeela in 1970, best comedian in the film Dil Aur Duniya in 1971.Nigar Award for simultaneously playing three roles in the film Meri Zindigi Hai Naghma in 1972.

Complete List of Awards Won During The Career

* Nigar Award for best screen- writer, in the film 'Rangeela' in 1970.
* Nigar Award for best comedian, in the film 'Dil Aur Duniya' in 1971.
* Nigar Award for simultaneously playing three roles in the film 'Meri zindigi hai naghma' in 1972.
* Nigar Award for best comedian in the film 'Naukar tay malik' in 1982.
* Nigar Award for best story- writer, in the film 'Sona chandi' in 1983.
* Nigar Award for best director in the film 'Sona chandi' in 1983.
* Nigar Award for best comedian in the film 'Miss Colombo' in 1984.
* Nigar Award for best comedian in the film 'Baaghi qaidi' in 1986.
* Nigar Award for best comedian in the film 'Teen yakkay teen chakkay' in 1991.

Career As an Actor

* Hero (1992/II)
* International Gorillay (1990)
* Aurat Raj(1979)
* Do Tasweerain (1974)
* Kubra Ashiq (1973)
* Dosti (1971)
* Dil Aur Duniya (1971)
* Rangeela (1970)
* Diya Aur Toofan (1969)
* Gehra Daagh (1964)
* Bazar-e-Husn. 1988.
* Double version film 'Madam Bowery 1989.
* Double version film 'Rangeelay Jasoos. 1989.
* Double version film 'International Gorillay. 1990.
* The film 'Majhu platinum jubilee, 1991.
* Double version film 'Abdullah the great. 1992.

Career As a Director

* Aurat Raj (1979)
* Kubra Ashiq (1973)
* Dil Aur Duniya (1971)
* Rangeela (1970)
* Diya Aur Toofan (1969)
* Meri mohabbat teray hawalay.
* Subha ka tara
* Ganwaar
* Jahaiz.
* Namak halal.
* Ka ka jee.
* Raja Rani.
* Sahab Bahadur.
* Quli.

Career As a Producer

* Aurat Raj (1979)
* Kubra Ashiq (1973)
* Dil Aur Duniya (1971)
* Rangeela (1970)
* Diya Aur Toofan (1969)

Career As a Playback Singer

* Aurat Raj (1979)
* Do Rangeeley (1985)

Career As a Writer

* Rangeela (1970)

"Alam Lohar": Legendary Punjabi Folk Singer - - Famous for His Singing Style 'Jugni' With Amazing Instument 'Chimta'

Biography and Professional Career:

Muhammad Alam Lohar popularly known as only 'Alam Lohar' was a prominent Punjabi folk music singer of Pakistan. He is also the inventor of term and song Jugni.

Alam Lohar was born in the small village of Aach Goach in Gujrat District, in Punjab, into a family of blacksmiths. He was gifted with a melodious voice and began singing as a child.

In his childhood he used to read sufiana kalaams, Punjabi stories and participate as a young child in local elderly gatherings expressing a vocal only art form in reading passages of great poets. From many of the gatherings out of the rural background rose a great singer that could influence his audience with elements of joy peace, happiness and sadness. Further on: he started going to festivals and gatherings on a regular basis and within these performances he rose to become one of the most listened to singers in South Asia. In the 1970s it was the Queen's Jubilee event in the UK and there was a singing competition between all Commonwealth Countries and after all performances: Alam Lohar won the award as the best performance and was handed a gold medal for his unique and God given voice.

Throughout the period of 1930's and until his passing away in 1979 he has dominated Folk singing in Pakistan and been a major singer in Punjabi and Sufi singing throughout the entire World. In many rural villages the local traditional people have called him 'Sher-e-Punjab' or 'Heerah' meaning diamond.

Singing Style:

Alam Lohar developed a new style of singing the Punjabi Vaar, an epic or folk tale. He is famous for his rendition of Waris Shah’s Heer, which he has memorized in 36 styles and forms. He recorded his first album at the age of 13 and has outsold all other singers in Pakistan (Verified in records kept with HMV Pakistan 1979)



Alongside his God given voice and singing in difficult high and low pitches he had a unique style of singing with his Chimta. Now the Chimta has been around for centuries as it was a tool used in gathering livestock in rural settings or used as a aid in other activities, but Alam Lohar has the unique credit that he single handedly popularised this instrument globally and modified its use and changed its outlook.

Alam Lohar had another quality that he had overwhelming singing stamina - he was renowned to sing all night and sometimes without the music technology we have with PA systems now-nevertheless his strong voice could be heard in large gatherings. In rural punjab he used to sing from village to village and without any modern music technology: his voice reflected with the background of the natural echo caused by the stillness of the night.

His Poetic Efforts:

Other than being a famous singer, Alam lohar was also a great poet writing his own songs and kalaams and also had another quality that he used old books of Sufi saints and stories and brought them in a song format, which gave his songs overwhelming great lyrical content which could make people cry and express joy at the same time.

In essence, later on Alam Lohar organised a full-fledged theatre with a complete orchestra. His troupe toured all over Punjab for religious and seasonal festivals and was one of the first South Asian singers to sing internationally in almost all countries that had people from the South Asian region.

Death of a Legend:

Alam Lohar died in an accident near 'Sham ki Bhaitiyan' on July 3, 1979. He was laid to rest in Lala Musa. He was given the Pride of Performance award in 1979 by General Zia Ul Haq in Islamabad and has received numerous awards within his lifetime. He is a pioneer in cultural and Folk styled singing and has in his own right become a folk story. He set a bench mark and many Punjabi and other folk singers have greatly been influenced. Therefore he has left a great legacy of a unique style of singing which is still followed in Pakistan and India by Punjabi singers.

Arif Lohar: Singing to Keep Alive Father's Traditions:



One of the greatest singers of all time; he is seen and remembered through his son Arif Lohar. In 2005, Arif Lohar was awarded Pride of Performance Award from Government of Pakistan . He started singing to give probe to the folk singing of Punjab, and to keep the tradition of his father alive.

I'll try to write something about the Arif Lohar in future; let's enjoy Alam Lohar's famous song "udeekaan sajjnaan diyaan":

Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah (R.A) - - Master of 'Kafi', Respected Scholar and Sufi Poet of Punjab

Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah (1680 – 1757) whose real name was Abdullah Shah, was a Punjabi Sufi poet. Baba Bulleh Shah himself became a respected scholar, but he longed for true inner realization. Against the objections of his peers, he became a disciple of Inayat Shah, a famous master of the Qadiri Sufi lineage, who ultimately guided his student to deep mystical awakening.

Biography

Baba Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, now in Pakistan. His ancestors had migrated from Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan . 

At the age of six months, his parents relocated to Malakwal. There his father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, was a preacher in the village mosque and a teacher. His father later got a job in Pandoke, about 50 miles southeast of Kasur. Baba Bulleh Shah received his early schooling in Pandoke, and moved to Kasur for higher education, to become a student of the prominent professor, Ghulam Murtaza. He also received education from Maulana Mohiyuddin. His spiritual teacher was the eminent Sufi saint, Shah Inayat Qadri. 

Baba Bulleh Shah was a direct descendant of Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) (S.A.W), through the progeny of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Gillani of Baghdad. 

A large amount of what is known about Baba Bulleh Shah comes through legends, and is subjective; to the point that there isn’t even agreement among historians concerning his precise date and place of birth. Some "facts" about his life have been pieced together from his own writings. Other "facts" seem to have been passed down through oral traditions. 

Baba Bulleh Shah practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry established by poets like Shah Hussain (1538 – 1599), Sultan Bahu (1629 – 1691), and Shah Sharaf (1640 – 1724). 

Baba Bulleh Shah lived in the same period as the famous Sindhi Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhatai (1689 – 1752). His lifespan also overlapped with the legendary Punjabi poet Waris Shah (1722 – 1798), of Heer Ranjha fame, and the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Abdul Wahad (1739 – 1829), better known by his pen-name, Sachal Sarmast (“truth seeking leader of the intoxicated ones”). Amongst Urdu poets, Baba Bulleh Shah lived 400 miles away from Mir Taqi Mir (1723 – 1810) of Agra. 

He died in 1758, and his tomb is located in Kasur.

Poetry Style

The verse form Baba Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi, Sindhi and Siraiki poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus.

Baba Bulleh Shah’s poetry and philosophy strongly criticizes Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. At the time worldly corruption had been taken over as oppose to the true teachings of Islam.

Poetry Translated in English:

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Not a believer inside the mosque, am I
Nor a pagan disciple of false rites
Not the pure amongst the impure
Neither Moses, nor the Pharaoh

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Not in the holy Vedas, am I
Nor in opium, neither in wine
Not in the drunkard`s intoxicated craze
Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

In happiness nor in sorrow, am I
Neither clean, nor a filthy mire
Not from water, nor from earth
Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Not an Arab, nor Lahori
Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri
Hindu, Turk, nor Peshawari
Nor do I live in Nadaun

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Secrets of religion, I have not known
From Adam and Eve, I am not born
I am not the name I assume
Not in stillness, nor on the move

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

I am the first, I am the last
None other, have I ever known
I am the wisest of them all
Bulleh! do I stand alone?

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

--------------------------------------------------

One more from Baba Bulleh Shah:

Chal Way Bullehya Chal O’thay Chaliyay

Jithay Saaray Annay

Na Koi Saadee Zaat PichHanay

Tay Na Koi Saanu Mannay

***

O’ Baba Bulleh Shah let’s go there

Where everyone is blind

Where no one recognizes our caste (or race, or family name)

And where no one believes in us

***

Ab to jaag Musaffir pyare

Raeen gayi latke taare

Kar le aj karni da weera

Mod na ho si aawen tera

***

Awake, dear traveller, you’ve got to move on.

Trailing its stars, the night is gone.

Do what you have to do, do it today.

You will never be back this way.

Your companions are calling.

Let us go.

***

Awake, dear traveller, you’ve got to move on.

Trailing its stars, the night is gone.

A pearl, a ruby, the touchstone and dice

With all that you thirst by the waterside.

Awake, dear traveller, you’ve got to move on.

Trailing its stars, the night is gone.

A Beacon of Peace

Baba Baba Bulleh Shah's time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. But in that age Baba Baba Bulleh Shah was a beacon of hope and peace for the citizens of Punjab. While Baba Bulleh Shah was in Pandoke, Muslims killed a young Sikh man who was riding through their village in retaliation for murder of some Muslims by Sikhs. Baba Baba Bulleh Shah denounced the murder of an innocent Sikh and was censured by the mullas and muftis of Pandoke. Baba Bulleh Shah maintained that violence was not the answer to violence.

Baba Bulleh Shah also hailed Guru Tegh Bahadur as a ghazi (Islamic term for a religious warrior) and incurred the wrath of the mullas.

Modern Renditions

In the 1990s Junoon, Asia's biggest rock band from Pakistan, has also rendered such poems as Aleph (Ilmon Bas Kareen O Yaar) and Bullah Ki Jaana. Baba Bulleh Shah's verses have also been adapted and used in Bollywood film songs. In 2004, Rabbi Shergill successfully performed the unlikely feat of turning the abstruse metaphysical poem Bullah Ki Jaana into a Rock/Fusion song, which became hugely popular in India and Pakistan. Another version was performed by Lakhwinder Wadali titled simply Bullah. Examples include the songs Chhayya Chhayya and Thayya Thayya in the movie Dil Se..

In the 1990s Junoon, Asia's biggest rock band from Pakistan, has also rendered such poems as Aleph (Ilmon Bas Kareen O Yaar) and Bullah Ki Jaana. Baba Bulleh Shah's verses have also been adapted and used in Bollywood film songs. In 2004, Rabbi Shergill successfully performed the unlikely feat of turning the abstruse metaphysical poem Bullah Ki Jaana into a Rock/Fusion song, which became hugely popular in India and Pakistan. Another version was performed by Lakhwinder Wadali titled simply Bullah. Examples include the songs Chhayya Chhayya and Thayya Thayya in the movie Dil Se..

Now enjoy a video clip of his poetry in punjabi:

Nadeem (Nazeer Baig Mughal) - - A Living Legend; Who Made History in Pakistani Cinema

Nadeem (Urdu: ندیم) was born in 1941 and his real name is Nazeer Baig Mughal. He is a well-known Pakistani film star, who has performed in a number of telefilms and TV drama serials and hosted a prize-winning quiz show on ARY Digital 9a private TV channel in Pakistan). He has performed top roles in more than 200 films and undoubtedly considered as a legend in Pakistan film industry. Along with Waheed Murad and Mohammad Ali, he has ruled Pakistani cinema over the years, especially films in Urdu language.

Early Life



Nadeem (Nazeer Baig Mughal) was born in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh, which was included in British India. At the time of Indo-Pak partition, he was only 5 years of age. He migrated with his father Mirza Abbas Baig from Hyderabad Deccan to Karachi. After his initial education he graduated from Islamia College, Karachi. At that time the Islamia Club was ranked as the centre of great film and radio artists. A lot of musical competitions were arranged to discover the aptitude and talent of college students. Nadeem as well as many great artists like Talat Hussein, M. Zaheer Khan, TV producer Iqbal Haider, Aftab Azeem and Saleem Jafri were the product of that Club. Together with his friends like Ameer Ahmed Khan and Qasim Siddiqui and he won several music competitions. He was picked by then famous singer Firdousi Begum at one of those musical competitions. She was stunned by his singing talent and advised him to try his luck in playback singing in Dhaka's film industry. With such a brilliant singing talent, he also got a chance to sing a song for an Urdu film Sehra, the music of which was composed by Nisar Bazmi, but unluckily the film could never been released.



In the mean time he got a chance to travel to Dhaka in a cultural trip arranged by Islamia Club. There he was given an opportunity to sing a song in Captain Ehtisham's new film Chakori. Captain was producing a low budget black and white film as his previous colour film Sagar was flopped. At the time of casting, he chose Shabana as heroine and East Pakistani (Bengali) film actor Azeem as hero. But Azeem rejected the offer because of a very low amount was offered. So Ehtisham decided to cast Nadeem, against the will of his brother Mustafeez, in his film as hero. The film was released on May 19, 1967, in both East and West Pakistan. The film proved to be such a blockbuster that it made Nadeem a superstar overnight, and it also became the second 'Platinum Jubilee' film of Pakistan. The Presidential Award for Pride of Performance was awarded to Nadeem in 1991.

With his successful start of the film career Nadeem had to travel thoroughly for Karachi, Lahore and Dhaka to act in movies. In 1971, after the fall of Dhaka and formation of the Independent state of Bangladesh, he settled in Lahore which became his home. In early 2000’s he shifted again from Lahore to Karachi.

Nadeem's Film Career

The tenure of his film career is spread over 42 years. In the presence of top class artists like Santosh Kumar, Muhammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Habib and Kamal; he not only won Best Actor’s Nigar Award in his first film Chakori, but with successive super hit movies, namely Chotey Sahib and Sangdil, he made a record of success.

Even today, in 2010, Nadeem is considered to be the No.1 actor of the Pakistani silver screen. In the 61 years long history of Pakistani film industry, only 25 films have the distinction of celebrating Diamond Jubilee (completing a run of 100 or more weeks). Nadeem alone figures in 10 out of these 25 movies. His Diamond Jubilee films include:

• Nadan (1973),
• Anari, Pechan (1975),
• Talashi (1976),
• Aina (1977),
• Hum Donon (1980),
• Lajawab, Qurbani (1981),
• Sangdil (1982) and
• Dehleez (1983)



One of Nadeem's films, Aina, is the most successful movie ever made in Pakistan. A big hit all over the country, it was shown continuously for more than five years in Karachi completing more than 400 weeks. It also won 12 Nigar Awards which remains the highest number of awards won by a single Urdu movie, so it may be termed as a record breaking and trend setting movie in many aspects.



An Indian film, Noor Jahan, was released in Pakistani cinemas in 1980, with a special permission. It was taken as a challenge for Pakistan Film Industry. Parvez Malik, a well-reputed and talented director, accepted the challenge and produced “Hum Dono”, presenting Nadeem in double role. “Hum Dono” proved a blockbuster which ran for 165 weeks in Karachi, becoming the second most exhibited movie after “Aina”. Meanwhile Nadeem’s two more films Bandish and Saima also got released and tasted great success in a neck to neck fight with Noor Jahan. Bandish was run for 86 and 82 weeks in Lahore and Karachi respectively. Earlier in 1971, Nadeem became the first actor to play three different characters in his film “Jaltey Suraj Key Nichey” (under the burning sun).



Urdu movies witnessed a great recession in 1990s when films in the national language Urdu had almost been discarded. In this situation; Nadeem’s film “Insaniyat Ke Dushman”, entirely in Urdu, got an unparalleled success which once again motivated film producers towards the production of Urdu movies.

Being a wonderful and talented singer Nadeem has also many hit songs to his credit as a play back singer. In fact Nadeem, basically groomed as a singer, is the first actor in Pakistan who sang for movies as playback singer. Almost all of his two dozen songs have been popular. In 1967 his duet with Firdousi Begum “Kahan ho tum ko dhoond rahi hain yeh baharain yeh saman” was a super hit street song, and then after mote than 20 years in 1989, his duet with the melody queen Noor Jahan “Mundia dupatta chad mera” was a phenomenal hit.

In the years 2001 and 2002, Urdu films undergone for a lack of purposeful stories. Such scenario forced Nadeem to step down in terms of acting in movies and ultimately he decided to return to Karachi, his native town, saying goodbye to the film industry. TV producers, however, get benefited as they wasted no time in casting Nadeem in their Drama Serials. Nadeem, therefore, appeared in eight TV Serials, namely Bisaat, Chaltey Chaltey, Chehrey, Muhabbat Ka Ek Peher, Ambulance, Ek Safar Tanha He, Jaisey Jaante Nahin and Malika (2005). He also acted in six long and short plays, namely Haar Jeet, Rakh Mein Chingari, Fursat, Laws in Law, Wujood and Musafir Khaana (2005). He was co-producer in Bisaaat and Teri Yaad Aagai, a musical program in which Nadeem rendered his favourite songs. All these productions got popularity and appreciation from the viewers.

Sultan Rahi "The Sultan" of Lollywood - - Spotted As 'The Most Prolific Actor' in The Guinness Book of Records

Biography

Sultan Muhammad (Urdu:سلطان محمد) (popularly known as Sultan Rahi) born in 1938. He was a Pakistani film actor who steadily recognized himself as the biggest film personality of Pakistan in Punjabi films during the 1970s and 1980s. He was mostly accepted among people in Punjab, Pakistan.

Sultan Rahi struggled many years from 1956 to 1970 and got great success from film Babul in 1971. Basheera (1972), Wehshi Jatt (1975), Maula Jatt (1979), Sher Khan (1981) and many other super hit films proved himself a demand of box office. He ruled Lollywood for more than two decades and invincible super star till his demise. Some of his blockbuster films include Maula Jatt, Sher Khan, Chan Veryam, Kaley Chore, and The Godfather.

International Recognition

Literally, Sultan Rahi starred in more than 700 films and, therefore, has accordingly been spotted in the Guinness Book of Records for the most prolific actor. He has also been featured in profiles of University of California, Irvine, college students.

Sultan Rahi was a legendary action film hero and truly "the Sultan" of Lollywood, who ruled Pakistani film industry for two decades from 1975–1995. He was the most successful film hero on box office ever; even though most of his films had similar stories and actions.

Professional Career

Sultan Rahi started his film career in 1959 and appeared as an extra in film BAGHI (The Rebellious). Although he did struggle for a few years in the early 1960s, but he managed to get some supporting roles in few films. He got the fruit of his continuous struggle in 1972 which became turning point for his film career, when three of his films celebrated diamond jubilees. In 1975 he emerged as an action icon for the lovers of Punjabi films. The year 1979 was the most successful year f his career; as his film (MAULA JATT) became the biggest hit that Lollywod had ever witnessed. It broke all records and did wonders for the Pakistani Film Industry.

Sultan Rahi dominated the Pakistan film industry for decades. His enormously thriving film career came to an awful end on January 9, 1996; when he was shot and killed by mysterious persons in a highway robbery on G.T. Road near Gujranwala. He was coming back to Lahore from Islamabad. At the time of death, he was 58 years old. Even after fourteen years his murder mystery is unsolved.

Sultan Rahi Set Box Office Records

Sultan Rahi is so far the only actor in Pakistan, who appeared in diamond jubilee films as hero and villain and he is the only hero who's two block busters, (MULA JATT and SHER KHAN) celebrated diamond jubilees in Karachi in their second runs.

Playback Singer for Sultan Rahi

Sultan Rahi was a complete action hero, but almost two dozen songs were shot on him. Almost 90% songs were sung by Masood Rana, who was a dominating male singer in Punjabi film history. Other singers sung for him were Mehdi Hassan, Akhlaq Ahmad, Rajab Ali, Shoukat Ali, A. Nayyar, Inayat Hussain Bhatti and of course him self - he sung a song in film Sadhu aur Sheitan and song was "Behna, Bhayya ki pyari Behna, yehi dua hai Susral mein ja ke sada khushi tum rehna..." (music Kamal Ahmad).

Shrine of "Lal Shahbaz Qalandar" in Sehwan, Sind - - A Saint Equally Adored By Hindus And Muslims: Embraced the Qalandar Order of Sufism At Twenty

The mosque that is built in the hearts of the saints
Is the place of worship for all, for God dwells there
(Jalaluddin Rumi)

The original name of ‘Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’ was Syed Muhammad Usman who was born in 1177 AD in Marwand, Iran. His father, Syed Ibrahim Kabiruddin, was a righteous and devout dervish, and his mother was a superior princess. His intimates migrated from Iraq and settled down in Meshed, from where they again migrated to Marwand. During the Medieval era, Meshed and other cities of that region were prominent centres of knowledge, culture and civilization.

In very young age as a teen age boy, Shahbaz Qalandar proved strong religious leanings. He learnt the Holy Quran by heart just at age of seven, and at twenty embraced the Qalandar order of Sufism. ‘Qalandar’ is a type of dervish who is usually dressed in beggars’ clothes, likes poverty and sternness and has no permanent home. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar roamed throughout Middle East and came to Sind from Baghdad via Dasht-i-Makran. In 1263, he arrived in Multan, which at that time was at the height of beauty and splendour. The people of Multan insisted him to stay but he continued his journey southward and ultimately settled down in Sehwan, then a famous centre of learning and popular place of worship for Hindus, in the southern part of Sindh, where he lived in the trunk of a tree on the border of the town. He stayed at Sehwan for six years and during this period he spread the light of Islam, providing direction to thousands of people.

Sehwan is perhaps the town with the oldest continuous existence in Sind. It rises on the top of a conical hill, and nearby lie the ruins of a huge fort supposed to have been founded by Alexander (the Great). Some coins of Alexander’s time are reported to have been found here. Sehwan was the capital of a Buddhist ruler who was brother of Chandragupta II, the third of the Guptan empire in the 4th century AD. From the time of Arab incursion in 712, Sehwan was very important in the history of Sind since it commanded the route from the Upper to the Lower Indus, through which all intruders from either north or south had to pass. And control of the fort was vital to the success of every battle.

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is an tremendously popular patron saint cherished and adored alike by Hindus and Muslims of Sind. He was a great missionary, mystic, scholar, philologist and poet. Several books in Persian and Arabic on philology and poetry are attributed to him. He was called ‘Lal’ (red) because of his red dress, ‘Shahbaz’ (falcon) due to his noble and divine spirit that soared like a falcon higher and higher in the limitless heavens and ‘Qalandar’ since he belonged to Qalandria order of Sufism and was saintly, exalted and intoxicated with love for eternal being of God. The legend goes that the present fakirs in Sewhan sent him a bowl of milk filled to the edge indicating that there was no room for anything more. But surprisingly, he returned the bowl with a beautiful flower floating on the top. This legend spread far and wide by the time of his death in 1274, after living a good span for 97 years.

The shrine around his tomb, built in 1356, gives a stunning look with its Sindhi kashi tiles, mirror work and two gold-plated doors - one donated by the late Shah of Iran, the other by the late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The inner chamber is about 100 yards square with the silver canopied grave in the middle. On one side of the marble floor is a row of about 12 inch high folding wooden stands on which are set copies of Quran for devotees to read. On the other side, beside a bundle of burning “Agarbattis” (joss sticks), are rows of “Diyas” (small oil lamps) lighted by Hindu devotees. The Hindus regarded him as the personification of Bhartihari, the saintly brother of King Vikramaditya, who is believed to have worshipped Shiva at the venue where Lal Shahbaz's shrine is situated with all its splendour and beauty.

Thousands of followers gather around the tomb daily; while every Thursday their number increases and multiplies. Especially at the time of his ‘Urs’ (death anniversary) being a carnival, as well as, a religious event and celebrated every year on the 18th day of Shaában (Eight month of Islamic/lunar calendar), Sehwan springs to life and becomes the centre of attraction of more than half a million pilgrims from all over Pakistan. On each morning of the three days feast, the narrow lanes of Sewhan are packed to capacity as thousands and thousands of pilgrims, fakirs and followers make their way to the shrine to communicate with the saint, offer their tributes and make a wish. Most of the people present wreath and a green chadar (a cloth sheet used to cover a tomb) with Quraánic message in silver or gold threads. Buzzing of verses, singing and dancing in praise of the saint continues till late at night. A devotional dance known as ‘Dhamal’, being a frenzied and blissful whirl of the head and body is a special custom that is performed at the rhythmic beat of the ‘Dhole’ (a big barrel-shaped drum), some of them being of gigantic sized and placed in the courtyard of the shrine. Bells, gongs, cymbals and horns make a thunderous din, and the dervishes, clad in long robes, beads, bracelets and colored head-bands spin faster and faster in a hypnotic trance, until with a final deafening scream they run wildly through the doors of the shrine to the courtyard beyond.

Special dance of 'Dhamal' is shown here in the clip below:

Not only the people gather from all over Pakistan but also the tourists and the foreigners are captivated at this mesmerizing scene and desire to enjoy it again and again. Such were the persons who really touched the highest spiritual experience. Through their transcendence, their relation to God is such that in them the Divine personality seems to reflect itself and through them is revealed to his followers, and the grace of God is dispensed to those who invoke God in his name.

Imran Khan: Pakistan's Sportsman of The Millennium - - Cricketer With Inborn Talent That Dazzled The World of Cricket

Born Imran Khan Niazi into a proud pathan family of landowners. This cricketer was born no differently than any other person. He was born in Lahore, Pakistan into a family of six. He entered the world on November 25, 1952, the only boy and seventh member of his family. His parents gave him the name Imran Khan Niazi and truly loved him since he is the only boy in their family. Best know internationally as Imran Khan also known as the Lion of Lahore, he is probably the finest cricketer to come from Pakistan. An outstanding all rounder, he became a national hero when he captained the Pakistan Cricket team to victory and brought back the World Cup in the 1991/92 Cricket World Cup which took place in Australia.

Part of a family that produced many cricketers from his maternal side, amongst which is Majid Khan who was also a Pakistan Captain as well as Javed Burqi. He captained the Oxford University Cricket Team and played for Worchester and then Sussex. He captained Pakistan from 1982 till 1988, when he decided to quit cricket while he was still at the top of his career. He dazzled the world with his amazing talent, he gave cricket another name, he is and always will be remembered by cricket fans worldwide. Imran khan, an unbelievably talented all rounder is the Legend of cricket and has reached the top like no one else.

Imran was part of a well-educated family. His parents believed that their children should get the best of education, and become something. Imran's parents have believed this and followed through with it, and that is why Imran's sisters are so successful today. His older sister Robina is an alumnus of the LSE and has a senior position in the United Nations in New York; his other sister Aleema has a master's degree in business administration and runs a successful business; Uzma is a highly qualified surgeon is working in a Lahore hospital; while his other sister Rani is a University graduate who coordinates charity work. When it was time for Imran to go attend a college, he went to the prestigious public school in Lahore, the Aitchison College. There he was by far the best player on his team, being a very fine batsmen. He was still though quite far from becoming the best in the world. As Imran grew older, his interests went from being a batsmen to being a fast bowler.

When sixteen, Imran made his debut for Lahore. Imran's cousins Javed Burki, and Majid Khan were a great part of cricket therefore when he made his test debut people thought that he made it because his family was on the Pakistan's Cricket Team.

Later, Imran had to put cricket to the side and focus more on his studies. Undoubtedly he was back again at the age of eighteen. He played admirably which resulted in him moving to England as he was chosen to play for a private school there.

As the year 1971 approached, he made his test debut while visiting England. During this tour, he was fined many times by the management because he was looked upon by his peers as being a very snobby and wild player. Also on this tour, Imran did not play as well. Because of his "not so good" bowling, Pakistan was costed to settle for a draw. This was the only test match on the tour.

When Imran was twenty-one, he was admitted in the Oxford University. For three years he studied economics and politics. In 1974 Pakistan toured England and therefore he was selected because of his form for Oxford University and his experience with speaking English. He had not succeeded to make a big mark because all three of his tests were drawn.

In 1976 Imran returned to Pakistan after being away for four years. During the 1976-77 season, Imran got a place in the Pakistan cricket team. He had impressed the team with his fantastic bowling. Later he moved to play with Sussex. The biggest reason for Imran to do this was because of his love affairs with the nightlife of London. He was quite angry at Worcester (a team he played for before he played for Sussex), because of the racism he found there. During the time he had been playing for other teams, Imran had become quite a big star. Everyone was able to see that this guy had talent and played very well. At this point, not only was he playing well, but had basically become a superstar.

Imran continued to play for Sussex, because he enjoyed it there. At this point he had become the "father" of the reverse swing. His most famous partner was Sarfaraz Nawaz, in which the partners could make a lot of runs.



Soon after, under the orders of the top official, Imran came back to Pakistan to play test cricket for the series against India. During this match, Imran hit two sixes and a four with only seven balls remaining. Because of Imran's huge success, one could easily say that Imran was one of the most adored cricketer through the land at this point.

During the early 80's Imran was not only at his cricketing peak, but had quite a few relations with women. He had a relationship with Susannah Costantine, ex-model Marie Helving, and artist Emma Sargeant. Some of his relations ended simply because of difference in culture and because of the busy and traveling life of Imran. He brought some of his relationships back home to Pakistan in which he was frowned upon because he was an individual of Muslim faith.

When Imran was thirty, he became the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. He lead them to a victory against England in their second test match.

During the years of his captaincy, Imran had broken his shin. Even though this was so, Imran continued to bowl, whether there was pain or not. Because of his injury, Imran was able to put bowling to the side and concentrate more on his batting. Imran improved his batting greatly which led him to his first century in a one day match.

In 1987, Imran decided to retire from cricket. Javed Miandad took his place. Because Pakistan's best captain was gone; the team was in somewhat of crisis. President Zia put a lot of pressure on Imran, therefore he was back as a captain in 1988.

In 1992, the world cup final was Imran's exit from cricket. He led Pakistan to a great victory over India. Pakistan had won the World Cup. It was time for Imran to retire, which brought a lot of grief to Pakistan. He ended his career with an outstanding score of 3807 runs and 362 wickets in only test matches. During his career, Imran had turned the Pakistan cricket stars into the stars they are today. The day that Imran retired was a very big day. So big that the President of that time, Zia personally tried to stop him from retiring. Imran said that he wanted to retire at the highest point of his popularity so that people would be able to remember him forever.4 He wanted his name to be in all hearts and be recognized for all his accomplishments. Imran had officially ended his career as a cricketer and is truly remembered by all.

When Imran won the world cup, he had raised twenty five million dollars to build a cancer hospital in memory of his mother. About ten years ago when Imran's mother had cancer; Imran was desperately looking for some place to take her, but none of the hospital's in Pakistan had the right facilities to treat her. When Imran took her to an outside country, it was too late; she had lost her battle against cancer. Eversnice then, Imran has wanted to build a cancer hospital. Today he has a wonderful hospital standing in Lahore, Pakistan. It is named after his mother Shawkat Khanam. Imran does not charge anything to patients who cannot afford the treatment.

In 1995, Imran decided to settle down and marry. He married Jemima Goldsmith who is the daughter of a millionaire. She was Jewish and converted to Islam by choice just before the two got married. Their wedding took place in Paris. When they came back to London, they threw a party which was more for the public.

On November 18th 1996, Imran and Jemima were the proud parent's of a baby boy. The named him Suleiman Isa. On April 10th, 1999 Jemima gave birth to yet another baby boy. They have named him Kassim.

Today, Imran has entered the world of politics and has set up his own party. He continues to fundraise for his hospital. He does this by taking tours with popular stars. Some stars donate their money to Imran's hospital. Jemima designs clothes and sells them overseas. The profit goes to the Shawkat Khanam Memorial Hospital. Also the restaurant in London, Salt and Pepper gives its profits to the hospital.