Zeba was one of the most respected, gorgeous and graceful woman in Pakistan film industry.
Zeba was born on 3rd October, 1943 in Anbala, Indian Punjab. Her real name is Shaheen. Her father name was Azam Khan. Her mother was known as Lali Begum. She was married and got a daughter when she began her film career. She also married Sudhir for a while.
Zeba’s early work:
She started her film career from Karachi where producer Noor Mohammed Khan offered a role of heroine in his film "Zindagi", which could not complete due to some reasons and then she was casted in other Karachi made film "Shakir" which was released with the name of “Chiragh Jalta Raha” in 1962. Other debut cast were Mohammed Ali, Deeba, Kamal Irani and Arif who was her hero.
Her first Golden Jubilee hit movie:
Her first Golden Jubilee hit movie 'Tauba', February 15, 1964, stars included Zeba- Kamal- Lehri. A tragic score like 'O ray sanam dil ye kaisay bataye', pictured on Zeba, captured the essence of what Zeba's superfluous acting really is about.
Her struggle days:
During the struggle days, Zeba was called by Shareef Nayyar to work for his under direction film "Ishq par zor naheen (1963)" from Karachi to Lahore. On trail, Zeba was declared Fail and Shareef Nayyar passed the remarks that she is not a suitable actress and could not be a big actress in future, then he decided to take Musarrat Nazeer instead.
Her most successful films:
Fame did not come over night to her. On the contrary, she had to work real hard, day in and day out to prove her worth.
Heera aur pathar:
She paired off with Waheed Murad in the mega hit movie, 'Heera aur pathar', December 11, 1964, producer, Waheed Murad, director, Pervez Malik, the film successfully completed 68 weeks and attained golden jubilee. 'Heera aur pathar', undoubtedly established her as an actress of high repute.
Eid Muabarak:
Film 'Eid Mubarak', producer, M .A Sarwar, director, S .M Yusuf, theatrical release was on July 2, 1965, it completed 26 weeks and attained silver jubilee. Stars included Zeba- Waheed Murad- Habib- Rukhsana.
Kaneez:
It is impossible to overlook that 'Kaneez's star power and onscreen pairing had been promoted most appropriately. Apart from that, these celebrities did not disappoint the moviegoers. Theatrical release was on November 26, 1965, cast included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Waheed Murad. The sad song, 'Jab raat dhali', was perfectly pictured on Zeba and Waheed Murad. Zeba did her job in an admirable fashion. Producer, Ali Sufyan Afaqi, director, Hasan Tariq, it completed 67 weeks, and attained golden jubilee. Zeba hit a milestone after the release of 'Kaneez'.
Armaan:
After 'Kaneez' came the all time favorite 'Armaan', Zeba's number one movie of her career, the first platinum jubilee film of Pakistan and, to date, one of the greatest movie of all time. Theatrical released was on March 18, 1966, producer, Waheed Murad, director, Pervez Malik. Zeba was smartly dubbed as a poor servant, Najma. Najma may not be the part Zeba was born to play, but it might just be the one she grew old for.
Her movies with Mohammad Ali:
'Tum milay pyar mila', February 7, 1969, are still popular with the populace. Stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali. 'Aap ko bhool jayain hum', was pictured on Zeba- Mohammad Ali.
'Insaan Aur Aadmi', May 15, 1970, was a brilliant movie and a huge commercial success. Stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Talat Husain. The super hit song, 'Tu jahan kaheen bhi jaaye', was pictured on Zeba.
Zeba's achievement in 'Salam-e-Mohabbat', August 6, 1971, similarly is laudable. Starring, Zeba- Mohammad Ali. The romantic number 'Salam-e-Mohabbat bara khubsurat', was beautifully pictured on Zeba.
Her role in 'Afsana zindigi ka', January 7, 1972, is a visual experience of breathtaking scope. Stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali. The song, 'Zindigi kay safar mein akeley thay hum', was pictured on Zeba.
During the peak years of her popularity, from 1962 through the 1980s, Zeba worked in such films as 'Mohabbat', creating frenzied interest in movie buffs. 'Mohabbat' was released on June 2, 1972, stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Andaleeb- Santosh- Sabiha. The perennial song, 'Banwara mun aisay dharka na tha', was pictured on Zeba.
The film 'Daman Aur Chingari', has become the gold standard of trend setting. Theatrical release was on October 28, 1973. Cast included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Nadeem. The song, 'Dais paraye janay walay', was pictured on Zeba.
'Phool meray gulshan ka', is a film as awesome as its images. Stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Waheed Murad- Nadeem. The song, Tu hai phool meray gulshan ka', was pictured on Zeba.
Zeba's dialogue nourishes ones soul as one watches her movies like 'Jab jab phool khilay', November 21, 1975, stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali-Waheed Murad- Nadeem.
More often, audiences and critics are amazed at Zeba's versatility in a movie like 'Naukar', December 12 1975, Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Barbara Sharif.
Her marriage with Lala Sudhir:
In the 1960s, Zeba was hard at work as usual, trying to secure her slice of the movie dream. Along the way, Zeba married actor Lala Sudhir. Bad luck, Zeba's marriage to Sudhir did not last long and it resulted in their separation. Zeba's daughter,Samina, who was born from a non-film person, before Zeba started her movie career, grew up, got married and settled in life.
Ali-Zeb couple:
A prestigious and respectable couple in Pakistani Film Industry. They married on 29 September, 1966 and appeared in 70 movies together - 59 films as the main pair (hero/heroine) which is a world record!
Mohammad Ali passed away on March 19, 2006.
Zeba’s last film with Mohammad Ali:
Zeba's last film with Mohammad Ali was 'Mohabbat ho to aisi ho', September 11, 1989, stars included Zeba- Mohammad Ali- Talish.
Her Awards:
Zeba earned the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Armaan' in 1966.
Zeba earned the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Insaan aur Aadmi' in 1970.
Zeba earned the Nigar Award for best actress in the film 'Mohabbat' in 1972.
During her twenty- seven- year acting career, Zeba's star never set in Pakistan.
