Deeba: Pakistani Mona Lisa

Deeba, who was born in 1942, is the sister-in-law of director Baqar Rizvi. She is well known for her tragic roles in Pakistani films. Additionally, her ever-smiling face and her innocent looks, made her the Pakistani Mona Lisa.


Her early work
Deeba made her presence felt as a chld star named Chutanki in the film 'Faisla.'
she made her movie debut in a 1962 film called 'Chiragh jalta raha' in a side role in Fazal Ahmed Karim Fazli's movie. Her role in 'Chiragh jalta raha', Deeba worked in the movie. Her film ‘Jabsay deikha hai tumhain' was a huge hit.


Her first film as a heroine
In the film 'Phir subha hogee' she played the lead female role.

Her most successful films
Casting Deeba in the films seemed a safe bet. Like other aspiring artists of her generation, she worked zealously to prove her worth. As an actress, she had come completely into her own.

Her sustained efforts paid dividends in the film 'Phir subha hogee', in which she played the lead female role.

With the passage of time, her acting did sound better. Deeba achieved lofty heights in her next three movies:

She was the heroine in Rehman's film 'Milan', the film 'Meray bacchay meri Aankhein' and the film 'Dil diwanay'.

Further, there are enough success stories of Deeba to fuel the fever. Six are mentioned below:

The films 'Aashiq', director Aslam Dar's film 'Wada', director Shabab Kiranvi's super hit film 'Aa'ena', director Nazrul Dada's film 'Haqeeqat', the film 'Sir Taj' and the film 'Bay Qusur'.
Jubilant fans greeted the release of these films:

'Koshish', 'Sajna door deyaan', 'Tum he ho mehboob meray', 'Dil day kay deikho', 'Zindigi aik safar hai', director Zafar Shabab's film 'Sung dil'.
The stories of those films ring true even today:

The film 'Aansoo', director S. A. Bukhari's film 'Do Aansoo', the film 'Hum Dono' (director: Al- Hamid, released in 1966, popular ghazal:

'Unki nazroan say mohabbat ka jo paigham mila', sung by Runa Laila, pictured on Deeba, starring: Deeba - Kamal) the films 'Zameer', and 'Sajda'.
She increasingly found opportunities to show her abilities, notably in the films 'Khamosh raho', 'Dil diwana' and the film 'Daagh'.

Better yet, was the film 'Insaan aur farishta'.

Director Dil Jeet Mirza had cast Deeba in the role of the mentally retarded girl in his film 'Riwaaj'. Watching her role in 'Riwaaj' is an experience of a lifetime. Her character came precariously close to reality.

Her role in the film 'Seeta, Maryam, Margaret', was remarkable.

Beautiful, vivid and gracious, Deeba, by all accounts, completely captured the heart of Waheed Murad in the film 'Ik Nagina'. He looked right at her and smiled. It was quite a smile!
The following six films were an achievement that is still a worthy yardstick:

'Anila', 'Behan bhai', 'Doosri shadi', 'Pak Daman', 'Dil kay tukray', 'Aao pyar karain'.
Deeba was able to rekindle the passion in the following films:

'Neend hamari khwab tumharay', 'Maujiza', 'Zameen', director Luqman's film 'Pakeeza', director Qadeer Ghauri's film 'Mehmaan', 'Doraha'.
She scored big at the cinema, when the following films arrived in the theatres. Mega hit film 'Anjuman', 'Afsana', 'Madar-e-Watan', 'Jahan walay', 'Hum matwalay naujawan', 'Ruswaye'.
Deeba's convincing performances in the following films gripped the hearts of fans:

'Husn ka chore', 'Zinda laash', 'Ulfat', 'Dost dushman', 'Shehnai', 'Parosi'.
The movies are still fresh in the minds of cine-goers. They have stories to tell: The films 'C.I.D.', 'Ishara', director Zafar Shabab's film 'Dard', 'Dooor ki Aawaz', 'Fasana-e-dil', 'Chaudween sadi'.
Deeba, whose life has been a long, exciting trip in the film world, came up with more interesting movies like the following:

'Phir chand niklay ga', 'Perdais', 'Kaun dilan diyan janay', 'Meri mohabbat teray hawalay', 'Aik raat', 'Bhola sajan', 'Nasha jawani da', 'Subha ka tara', 'Sajan rang rangeela'.
In the final phase of her acting career, she appeared in more movies. Seven of them are listed below:

'Umar Mukhtar', 'Karam Daata', 'Deewanay teray pyar kay', 'Barsaat ki raat', 'Nikah', 'Saheb jee' and the mega hit film 'Chooriyaan'.


Her award
She earned the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Sajna dooor deyan' in 1970.

Mohammad Ali – Shehanshah e Jazbaat

Mohammad Ali was a legendry film actor in Pakistani film industry. He will be remembered as the best ever Urdu film hero and a great personality in the showbiz world. He died on March 19, 2006.

Film career 
Mohammad Ali respected Z.A. Bukhari like his own father, who introduced him in film line. Bukhari introduced Mohammad Ali to Fazal Ahmad as a hero, but Mohammad Ali himself take the role of villain because the villain role was more powerful. This was the only Pakistani film in which Indian singer Talat Mehmood worked as a singer.
Film “Shakir” was completed with the name of “Chiragh jalta raha” (1962). This was a Karachi made film and was graced inauguration by Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. This film went Islamabad for censor and was seen especially by President General Ayub Khan. Chiragh jalta raha celebrated silver jubilee in Karachi but was not released in the rest of the country.
Mohammad Ali worked as a villain in his first 3 films. His first film as hero was “Shararat” (1963). His first film as hero in Lahore was Khandan (1964). Later he moved to Lahore. He bought a flat in Gulberg then he built his own bungalow. He got breakthrough from film Khamosh raho (1964).

His awards  
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (The only film actor in Pakitan who was honored by this award, This is the second highest civilian award in Pakistan)
Pride of Performance (First film actor who receipt this award, This is the third highest civilian award in Pakistan)

Privat life 
When director Iqbal Yousuf take his unit to Karachi for the shooting of film Tum mile pyar mila, Mohammad Ali married Zeba, this was Zeba’s third marriage. Zeba had a daughter Samina from first husband Abdul-Smad. Mohammad Ali loved Samina like his real daughter and gave her name Samina Ali, because he had no child.
They produced films Aag (1967) and Jaise jante nahin (1969).
At the height of his carrier in 1969 he worked in a Radio Pakistan Lahore’s one hour drama Chand nahin nikla.

His illness
He was serious ill in 1977. He faced a serious problem of kidney in 1980, so one kidney was come out after operation. When he was recovered, he fell in Sugar (a disease).
After the release of film Doorian, Agha G.A. Gul went London and gave Dilip Kumar a gift of video of film Doorian. When Mohammad Ali went India for Urdu conference, Younis Ahmad (a member of National Assembly) gave him shawl as a gift. He went Bangladesh for Pakistani film Janey Anjaney, President General Irshad gave him Holy Quran as a gift. He was also awarded Noshad Award of India.

Last moments of his life...
On Sunday March 19, 2006, at 11.00 a.m., he got up from his bed to go to the bathroom. But he dropped down on the bedroom floor. Zeba summoned their servant, Abbas, who rested Mohammad Ali on the chair. According to eyewitness account, Mohammad Ali uttered Kalima-e-shahadat before he breathed his last at 1.30 p.m. Zeba’s daughter, Samina, rushed to Pakistan from U.S. Soon after Samina’s arrival, Mohammad Ali’s namaz-e-janaza was performed on the ground opposite Gulberg, Lahore on Tuesday at 2.00 p.m. He was buried in the threshold of Mazar of Hazrat Mian Mir sahib (reh), Lahore.
Mohammad Ali was seventy-five years of age. Millions of Mohammad Ali's devoted fans all over the world paid tributes to their favorite actor.

waheed murad cut

In the 1970s, Pakistani cinema was all the rage. The dressing style, the hair cut and melodious songs used to be liked and followed by people. His hairstyle became one of his great personal strength. Mr Murad’s hair cut was very popular among the young and was called the “Waheed Murad cut”. Basically, it was the profound faith of cine- goers in Waheed Murad's ability that kept him going.

Neelo

She was born on 30th June 1941 in Bhera, Sargodha.

Her early work

First time she appeared as an extra standing in a mob scene in Hollywood's Bhwani Junction (1955) which was shoot in and around Lahore.

This is very interesting to know that Shabab Keranvi rejected her for films when she approached him for acting in films. Shabab sahib said: " this girl can not be a film actress, never never...

Her film career
 She started her career as supporting actress . Neelo’s first film was “Sabira” in 1956 .
Her Golden jubilee film 'Yakkay Wali', which theatrical release was on February 22, 1957, cast included, Neelo- Musarrat Nazeer- Sudhir. Producer, Bari Malik, director, M.J. Rana, music, Baba G.A. Chishti.
Super hit movie 'Saat Laakh', October 9, 1957, starring, Neelo- Sabiha- Santosh- Talish. Producer, Saif Uddin Saif, director, Jafar Malik, composer, Rasheed Attre, popular song, 'Aaye mausum rangeelay suhanay', singer, Zubeida Khanum, pictured on Neelo, dubbed as a mountain girl, waiting for her lover.
'Zeher-e-Ishq', April 21, 1958, stars included Neelo as supporting actress, Musarrat Nazeer- Habib. Producer, Sultan Jeelani- Khursheed Anwar, director, Masood Pervez. Music- story- screenplay, Khursheed Anwar.
In the film 'Jaan-e-Bahar', a song in Raag Darbari, was pictured on Neelo, 'Ab to jee bhar kay khanjar chala yain gey hum'.
'Koel', December 24, 1959, cast included Neelo- Noor Jehan- Aslam Pervez- Nazar. Producer- composer, Khursheed Anwar, director, Masood Pervez.
'Nagin', June 18, 1959, starring, Neelo- Ratan Kumar- Yusuf Khan- Saqi. Producer, Wazeer Ali, director, Khalil Qaiser.
'Neend', October 16, 1959, stars included Noor Jehan- Aslam Pervez- Neelo. Producer, S.A.Malik, director, Hasan Tariq, music, Rasheed Attre.
The film 'Azra', April 20, 1962, cast included Neelo- Aijaz- Nazar- Talish- Alauddin. Producer, G.A. Gul, director, Munshi Dil, composer, Inayat Husain.
 'Banjaran', September 14, 1962, stars, Neelo- Kamal- Azad- Alauddin. Director, Hasan Tariq, music, Deebu Bhatta Chariya.
The film 'Daman', October 4, 1963, cast, Neelo, - Sabiha- Santosh- Waheed Murad- Lehri. Producer, Santosh, director, Qadeer Ghauri, music, Khalil Ahmed.
The film 'Daachi', February 15, 1964, stars, Neelo- Sudhir- Naghma- Munawwar Zareef. Producer, G.A. Gul, director, Aslam Irani, composer, G.A. Chishti.
 The film 'Jeedaar', November 19, 1965, starring, Neelo- Sudhir- Habib-. Producer, Malik Mubarak, director, M.J. Rana, music, Rasheed Attre.
In Neelo's voice, the dialogues always seem appropriate. Below are six more interesting movies of Neelo:
 In director Ata Ullah Shah Hashmi's film 'Naya Daur', she worked opposite Yusuf Khan as supporting actress.
In director Jafar Bukhari's film 'Anjaan', too, Neelo appeared as supporting actress.
In the films 'Kacchian Kalyan' and 'Nai Larki' directed by Ameen Malik, she worked as lead actress.
 She worked as supporting actress in the films 'Aakhri Nishaan' and 'Yaar Beli'.
Neelo's fame knew no bounds after the enormous success of director Khalil Qaiser's super hit film 'Nagin'.

After the theatrical release of 'Nagin', Neelo worked as lead actress opposite Ratan Kumar in a few more movies.
The films 'Ghunghat', 'Saathi', 'Insaaf', 'Qatal kay baad', 'Aladin ka beta'.
 In 'Taj aur talwaar', Neelo is a genuine star triumphing over roles in movies like 'Naghma-e-sehra', 'Payal ki jhankar', 'Beti' and adding zest to such films like 'Gehra Daagh', 'Husn-O-Ishq' and 'Mumtaz'.
'Nehlay pay dehla', 'Mera mahi', 'Himmat', 'Doshiza', 'Nizam lohaar', 'Ravi Paar'.
She became one of the most enchanting stars of the 1950s and 1960s.
'Shair dee bacchi', 'Night club', 'Sehti', 'Jaddi', 'Shera', 'Abba jee', 'Jug beeti'.
Her greatness shines through in movies like 'Aankh ka nasha', 'Pholay Khan', and 'Subha kaheen shaam kaheen'.
 Likewise, her acting potential is quite evident in movies like 'Sheikh chilli', 'Changhez Khan' and 'Mr. Allah Ditta'. Furthermore, the choreography has zest in Neelo's film 'Oonchay mehal'.
She acted in the film 'Badnaam', co-starring Ejaz- Asad Jafri- Rangeela- Alauddin. Producer, -director, Iqbal Shehzad, music, Deebu, released under the banner of 'Montana films' on September 2, 1966.
Punjabi film 'Lado', released on August 26, 1966, starring, Neelo- Habib- Rangeela- Munawwar Zareef- Alauddin. Producers, Chaudhry Meraj Din- Safdar Masood, director, Sharif Nayyar, composer, Master Abdullah.
 'Payal ki jhankar', released under the banner of 'Ever new pictures' on November 18, 1966. Cast included Neelo- Darpan- Deeba- Nazar- Talish. Producer, G.A.Gul, music, Rasheed Attre.
Neelo's Punjabi film 'Dil da jani', released on March 23, 1967. Stars included Neelo- Habib- Saloni- Rangeela- Alauddin. Producer, Aftab, director, Riaz Ahmed Raju, composer, Wazeer Afzal.



Second phase
After the death of Riaz Shahid in order to live a respectable life and to raise her three children, she returned to show business.
The first film in which she worked after her come back was the mega hit film 'Khatarnaak'. Neelo enjoyed a second coming with her starring role in 'Khatarnaak', released on August 23, 1974. 'Khatarnaak' successfully completed diamond jubilees in Karachi and Lahore. Cast included Neelo- Yusuf Khan- Aneeta- Nazli- Mustafa Qureshi. Producer, Shahid Afzal, director, Rehmat Ali, music, Safdar Husain.
 Besides acting, Neelo also produced a film 'Baheesht', director, Hasan Tariq, composers, Rasheed Attre- A. Hameed. Writer, Riaz Shahid, released on November 29, 1974.
'Jatt kurian to darda', released on October 15, 1976. Cast included Neelo- Kamal- Nisho- Najma- Rangeela- Nayyar Sultana- Munawwar Saeed. Producer- director, Kamal, music, Wajahat Attre. This was Neelo’s another achievement.
She worked in 'Ajj dian kurian', November 22, 1977, stars included Neelo- Kamal- Nisho- Naghma- Badar Munir- Jamshed Ansari- Rangeela. Producer - director, Kamal, composer, Wajahat Attre.
 Her another Punjabi film 'Ghunda', March 10, 1978, starring, Neelo- Sultan Rahi- Najma- Iqbal Hasan. Producer, Jamal Masood, director, Masood Bin Aslam, music, Safdar Husain.
'Barood ki chaoon', 1989, cast included Neelo- Nadeem.
'Director Jafar Bukhari's film 'Izzat'. Also movies like 'Balunat Koar', 'Sultana Daku', 'Sar ka badla', 'Mera naa paatay Khan'.
The films 'Malik zada', 'Danka', 'Meray badshah chaman Khan', 'Inqilaab', 'Shareef shehri'.
The film 'Nagina' was presumably the last movie in which Neelo appeared as an actress.
'Nagina' was released on October 5, 1990, starring, Neelo- Madiha Shah, Shaan. Producer, Arif Chaudhry, director, Altaf Husain, music, M. Ashraf, double version, Urdu and Punjabi film.



Her awards

Below is a look back at her Nigar Awards:

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best supporting actress in the film 'Koel' in 1959.

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best supporting actress in the film 'Daman' in 1963.

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Zarqa' in 1969.

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best producer and best film of the year 'Baheesht' in 1974.

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Khatarnaak' in 1974.

Neelo won the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Jat kuryan tu darda' in 1976.


Her private life
Neelo's real name was Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, after the marriage with Riaz Shahid, she converted to Islam and renamed Abida Riaz. A tragic incident happened one of those days. Neelo was compelled to sing and dance at a musical get-together, which was also attended by Riaz Shahid among others. Neelo's song- cum dance was totally unacceptable to Riaz. Hence, he lost his temper and started ignoring her thereafter. Desperate to get Riaz's attention, Neelo tried to commit suicide by swallowing sleeping pills. She was rushed to the hospital and within minutes doctors successfully brought her back from the clutches of death. Here is the silver lining to the true story. Neelo's unrequited love for Riaz became crystal clear to him. Because Neelo's sacrifice worked as a litmus test. Soon Neelo embraced Islam and married Riaz Shahid. Riaz gave Neelo her new Islamic name, Abida, and Neelo became Abida Riaz. They lived a storybook life. It was the extraordinary power of love, which brought them closer than ever to each other.
 Riaz's hearty tone made Neelo soar, while he gave her the meaning and drive of a true performer. Unfortunately, Riaz Shahid, who had been suffering from leukemia passed on October 1, 1972.
Neelo is the one of Pakistani film heroines who worked minor/extra and song item roles in a maximum number of films (about 20 films) like Sabira (1956), Anjam, Saat Lakh, Phooley Khan, Ankh ka nasha, and Sehti (1957), Jane Bahar, Shaikh chilli, Naya dour, Kacha kalian, Zehr-e-ishq, Nai larki, Darbar, Mumtaz, and Akhri Nishan (1958), Yaar beli, Sola aaney, Lukan mitti, Neend and Lalkar (1959). Neelo is also the mother of super star Shaan.

rani

Nisho

Nisho the famous and beautiful actress of Pakistani cinema was born in Gujrat. Her real name is Bilquis Begum. She gain fame, name and respect in Pakistani film Industry.

Her early work
She was offered the role of lead actress opposite Mohammad Ali and Nadeem in her debut, mega hit film ‘Baazi,’ in 1970. Around that time, Bilquis changed her name to Nisho and achieved name, fame and respect in times due course. Moreover, Mohammad Ali and Nadeem appeared together for the first time in the film ‘Baazi’ (Director, Late Iqbal Shehzad, composer, Sohail Rana.



Her private life
During her school days, Nisho fell in love with a boy, Inam Rabbani. The mutual devotion and understanding resulted in their marriage. Nisho had a daughter, Saheba, with Rabbani. It so happened that Rabbani left Pakistan and settled abroad. Years passed by and he did not return. Consequently, Nisho divorced Rabbani.
Poet Tasleem Fazli, who died in 1982, was Nisho’s second husband. Through perseverance and faith, Nisho overpowered her marital setbacks one after another. In 1988, six years after Tasleem Fazli's death, Nisho married for the third time. She had a son, Hamza, from her third husband.

Nisho’s film career
Nisho worked in sixty films.
The following three films of Nisho were released in 1971:
‘Yaar dais Punjab day’, ‘Baazi gar’, ‘Ye Aman’. The film ‘Ye Aman’ was written and directed by Riaz Shahid.
The year 1973 proved to be the best year for Nisho’s films. The following ten films of Nisho were released in 1973:
Nisho achieved enormous fame with the release of the super hit film ‘Nadaan’, directed by Iqbal Akhtar. ‘Nadaan’ made diamond jubilee.
The film ‘Sehray kay phool’, the film ‘Jaal’ (Nisho- Waheed Murad- Shaista Qaiser, director, Iftikhar Khan, silver jubilee).
The films ‘Insaan aur gadha’, ‘Aar paar’, ‘Farz’, ‘Tera gham rahay salamat’.
The films ‘Mulaqat’ (Nisho- Waheed Murad- Qavi- Lehri- director, Laeeq Akhtar, silver jubilee).
The films ‘Dulhan Rani’ and the film ‘Kubra Aashiq’ (producer-director-actor Rangeela)
The films ‘Bazaar’, ‘Angaray’ and ‘Matti kay putlay’.
‘Namak haram’, ‘Tiger gang’ and ‘Iman daar’.
The film ‘Samaaj’ (remake of director Jafar Bukhari’s film ‘:Bharosa’) ‘Baheesht’ and ‘Parda na othao’.
The film ‘Gumrah’, the film ‘Nelaam’ (first film of director Iqbal Kashmiri, producer, Qavi) the film ‘Surat aur seerat’, ‘Athra’, ‘Bikhray moti’ and ‘Shikwa’.
The films ‘Roshni’, ‘Ma’ashara’ and ‘Professor’.
 ‘Naik Perveen’, ‘Neiki badi’ and ‘Haiwan’.
The films ‘Society girl’ (first film of Sangeeta as director), ‘Jut kuryaan toon darda’ and ‘Zubeida’.
 ‘Raastay ka pathar’ (director, A.Rasheed, starring, Nisho- Waheed Murad, Sultan Rahi. The performance of all three artists were at its peak) the film ‘Dharkan’,’Budtameez’.
 ‘Aamna saamna’, ‘Aj deyaan kuryaan’, ‘Gora kala’.
The films ‘Dil kay daagh’, ‘Aadmi’ and ‘Mohammad Bin Qasim’ The film ‘Mohammad Bin Qasim’ is based on a real story, which is a true page turner. Zamarrud was dubbed as Raja Daher’s sister.
The films ‘Ehtejaaj’, ‘Lakha’ and ‘Hanstay Aansoo’.
‘Qudrat’, ‘Pyari’, ‘Nazuk rishtay’.
 ‘Siyasat’ and ‘Tufaan aur zindigi’.

Nisho, a popular Pakistani signature, who helped inspire the movie, is retired from the industry. Once in a while, she makes her presence felt at a function or public place.

Her stories and proud memories lives on.