sabiha khanum and santosh kumar pictures

Sabiha Khanum, the first lady of Pakistani cinema.

Sabiha Khanum the first lady of Pakistani Cinema:
Born to famous pre-partition Punjabi actress Balo, Sabiha reigned supreme in the hearts of the film-goers. Her innocence, her coy smiles and entrancing personality earned her the title of First Lady of Pakistani Cinema. Whereas most actors have one definitive forte, Sabiha won over audiences and critics with strikingly versatile characterizations

Sabiha khanum’s career:
Nafees Khaleeli offered her a role in the drama 'Buth shikan'. She enthusiastically accepted the offer. Additionally, Nafees Khaleeli changed the name of Mukhtar Begum to Sabiha Khanum.
On Nafees Khaleeli's request, the film director Masood Pervez offered Sabiha a role in the film 'Beli' and Sabiha Khanum made her debut as a dancer in Masud Pervaiz’s Beli (1950), based on Saadat Hasan Manto’s story about the perils of the 1947 exodus, with Shahina Ghaznavi and Santosh Kumar in the lead.

Her second film:
Her next film Do Ansoo in which she played the role of Noori, was Pakistan’s first silver jubilee Urdu film. 'Do Aansoo' takes a realistic approach to the tragedy both in scenery and characterization. After that Sabiha never looked back.
The secret of Sabiha's success in the Pakistani cinema includes flexibility, rooted in love and understanding.
Next to all of that is the fact that Sabiha is an embodiment of courage, kindness and decency.
In the annals of Pakistani film industry, Sabiha stands out. Sabiha dazzled cine-goers in the 1950s.


Sabiha’s memorable films:
Gumnaam:
Sabiha gained immense prominence after her challenging role of a mentally retarded girl in the film Gumnaam (1954), which she executed with rare pathos.
Sassi:
She embarked on the road to fame and stardom in a big way with the release of Sassi (1954). Sassi was a big budget movie and was filmed around the most picturesque areas of the country. Sabiha was cast in the title role, as the daughter of the chief of the washerman’s clan of Sindh. The remaining cast included Sudhir who played Punhu, Shahnawaz, Ghulam Mohammed, Bibbo, Nazar, and Asha Posley. Sassi was a great commercial hit by J.C. Anand and created an all time record for being the first golden jubilee film of Pakistan.
Dulla Bhatti:
Sabiha played the role of 'Nooran' in the romantic Punjabi film 'Dula Bhatti', directed by M.S. Daar. Sabiha's character in the film 'Dula Bhatti' is, indeed, an achievement of a life time.
Sabiha with her coquettish Madhubala-like charm won the hearts of film-goers and can be reckoned as the first leading lady of Pakistani cinema. G.A. Chishtis’ composition Wasta e Rab da, too javain de kabootra picturized on Sabiha remained on the top of the popularity list for months. It is said that the film netted so much profit that it enabled Agha Gul to build his own well-equipped New Evernew Studios at Multan Road, Lahore.

Her heroes:
Although she was cast opposite all famous heroes of her time including Yosuf Khan, Habib, Masud, and Aslam Pervaiz, her pairing with Santosh Kumar generated sparks both on and off screen

Sabiha’s relation with Santosh Kumar:
Sabiha was cast opposite all renowned actors of her time. However, she will be remembered most for her films with Santosh Kumar. Along the way, she found the love of her life-Santosh Kumar. It is said that during the making of the film Hasrat (1958), Sabiha and Santosh got married. Once married, they had a great future together. Their screen pair remained popular for almost a decade.
Sabiha's achievement along with Santosh Kumar in the following films is still a worthy yardstick:

'Saat lakh', 'Darbar', 'Sardar', 'Saltanat', 'Mukhra', 'Muskurahat', 'Rishta', 'Hasrat', 'Ishrat', 'Shikwa', 'Teray baghair', 'Mauseeqar', 'Dulhan', 'Kaneez', 'Dewar bhabi', 'Shaam Dhalay', 'Shahen Shah Jehangir', 'Pak Daman', 'Anjuman', 'Sarfarosh', 'Inteqaam', 'Qatil', 'Sawaal', 'Commander', and 'Mohabbat'.

Sabiha’s Awards:
She received the encomiums from her admirers whenever she won the Nigar awards:

Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Saat Lakh' in 1957.

Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Shikwa' in 1963.

Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Dewar bhabi' in 1967.

Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Aik gunah aur sahi' in 1975.

Sabiha won the special Nigar award for her thirty years of acting career in 1981.

Sabiha won the Nigar award for best supporting actress in director Hasan Tariq's film 'Sungdil' in 1982.

The Last Big "Pakistani" film before partition

The Last Big "Pakistani" film before partition was made under Shoukat Arts Productions
It was Realesed on 1947 in urdu language. This film was the last big film by Madam Noor Jehan and her husband director Shaukat Hussain Rizvi before partition. It was a big musical and romantic film. Madam Noor Jehan was on peak of her film career as singer and film heroine. Dillip Kumar and Mohammad Rafi got breakthrough from this film.
Actors Dilip Kumar - the acting legend - got breakthrough from this mega hit film. He was born in Peshawar...
Noor Jehan, Shashikala, Sulochana, Agha, Latika, Zia, Jillo, Mohammad Rafi and Ghulam Mohammed
Producer & Director Syed Shoukat Hussain Rizvi was a successful film director in India with Khandan, Zeenat and Jugnu but he was a flop film director in Pakistan...
Music Feroz Nizami completed hat trick of three great musical film, first Jugnu in 1947, then Chann We in 1951 and Dopatta 1952 - all with Noor Jehan...
&
G. A. Chishti was a legendry musician in Punjabi films. He dominated Pakistani film music until the beginning of the 70s...
Lyrics Nakhshab, Shari Bhopali, Asghar Sarhadi & Adeeb Saharn Puri
Singers
Madam Noor Jehan, Shamshad Begum,
Mohammad Rafi was a legend and he left behind a rich legacy of songs in Urdu/Hindi, Punjabi and many other languages. Started his singing career from Lahore...
Roshan Ara Begum was acclaimed the best exponent of Kirana gharana style of khayal singing in the subcontinent...

Film songs:

Woh apni yaad dilane ko ik ishq ki Duniya chhor geye... Mohammad Rafi & Co.
Umangen dil ki machlin, muskrai zindgi apni... Madam Noor Jehan
Lot jawani phir nahin aani, beet geyi to... Shamshad Begum
Desh ki pur kaif rangeen si fizaon mein kahin... Roshan Ara Begum
Aaj ki raat saze-dile-pudard na chher Madam Noor Jehan
Yahan badla wafa ka bewafai ke siwa kaya hai Mohammad Rafi, Madam Noor jehan
Tum bhi bhula do main bhi bhula doon... Madam Noor Jehan
Hamein to sham-e-gham mein katni hai... Madam Noor Jehan

madhubala pictures

Madhubala

Madhubala was born on 14 February, 1933 in Peshawar (Pakistan). She was one of the most gorgeous actresses to have graced the screens of Bollywood. She has made an incredible contribution to the Indian film industry.


On Madhubala's entry into films:
Her father, Ataullah Khan, was working in the Imperial Tobacco Company in Peshawar, Pakistan, when he lost his job and decided to come to Mumbai. Madhubala was seven at that time. Her real name was Mumtaz Begum. She was called Mazliappa, as she was the fifth child. Her father started looking for a job. He also took Madhubala to film studios. She got work in Basant (1942) at the age of nine.

Her first film as a heroine:
She got her first break in Kirdar Sharma's “Neel Kamal”. Kirdar's wife was supposed to play the lead role but she passed away. As Madhubala knew the dialogues, she became a heroine at the age of 13. From this film onwards, she was credited as Madhubala. The film did not do well, but her work was appreciated. From this film Madhubala got a major break

Her first famous film:
Madhubala shot to fame in 1949 with Mahal. (She was 16 at that time. ). She acted opposite Ashok Kumar. The film was a suspense and Madhubala`s enchanting and captivating beauty was just perfect for her role. The film was successful and the song `Aayega Aanewala` announced the advent of 2 new superstars: Madhubala and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. In the early 1950s she became one of the most sought after heroines in Indian film industry.

Madhubala’s verstality:
Madhubala established herself as a versatile actor. While she was simple village girl in Tarana (1951), she was the traditional Indian woman in Sangdil (1952) and a spoilt brat in Guru Dutt`s Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955). The song from Howrah Bridge, `Aaiye Meherbaan` was sensuous and superhit. Even today filmmakers admit that no one could have done it better than Madhubala. She played the role of an Anglo-Indian Cabaret singer opposite Ashok Kumar. Her bold westernised fashion statement was set her apart from others. Howrah Bridge was followed by Phagun with Bharat Bhushan, Kala Pani with Dev Anand, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi opposite Kishore Kumar and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) with Bharat Bhushan.



Madhubala’s last film Mughle Azam:
Her last film was Mughal-E-Azam, which released in 1960. People think that she worked after that too, but that's not true. She had completed all her films in the 10 years that it took for Mughal-E-Azam to be made. Some movies released after she was bedridden but she was in no condition to work after Mughal-E-Azam.


Madhubala’s sickness:
She was born with a hole in the heart. It was on the sets of S.S. Vassan`s film “Bahut Din Huwe” that she coughed up blood. She was well taken care of by the director and his wife. She was treated, and she resumed shooting. Nobody thought she was sick until she fainted on J K Nanda's sets while shooting with Raj Kapoor on Chalack (1957). The film never got completed. That's when the doctor said that she had a hole in her heart. She was 24 then. She was advised bed rest for three months, but after a month of rest, Madhubala resumed work. Looking at her, one would not say that she was sick. She, herself, was not ready to believe that she was sick.

Madhubala’s last days:
In the 1960s Madhubala`s physical condition deteriorated further. She was taken to London for treatment too but the doctors declared that it was too late for surgery. Madhubala came back and lived for another 9 years. At the age of 36 years Madhubala passed away.

Since Madhubala did not age on the silver screen she epitomizes eternal beauty. Till date she remains one of the pioneering actresses of Hindi cinema.