‘INTIZAR’ — I watched this film in 1956 when I was a child because of its outstanding music given by Khurshid Anwar and tracks sung by Noor Jahan. The film was released in India as well. Noor Jahan’s voice had such magic and allure that one just gets attracted to its soothing melodies. Set in the mountains, where a man from the city falls in love with a girl until a vamp knits the plot to destroy their love. Directed by Masood Parvez, the film was a super hit.
‘BAJI’ — ‘Baji’ is based on the frustration of a woman catching up with age; a role played in an excellent manner by Nayyar Sultana. Directed by S Suleman, this delicate theme was directed in a mature manner. Salim Iqbal’s music for Noor Jahan’s song “Ab Yahan Koi Nahi Koi Nahi Ayega” and “Dil Ke Afsane Nigahon Ki Zuban Tak Puhunche” and her duet with Farida Khanum “Sajjan Laagi Tori Lagan Mun Maa” performed by Aimi Minwala and Zareen Panna are the hallmarks of this film. In this song, Noor Jahan gave her last appearance in films sitting in the audience. The others sitting in the audience were Sabiha Khanum, Tarana, Santosh Kumar, Yasmin, Laila, Ejaz, Habib, Waheed Murad, Nazar and Sultan Rahi. Zeba appeared as the romance of the hero Darpan. Naseem Begum sang two thumri oriented songs filmed on gardener Aimi Minwala depicting the sentiments of Nayyar Sultana. These songs were “Chanda Tori Chandni Main Jiya Jala Jaaye Re” depicting the feelings of Baji and a similar impact were demonstrated by the song “Sanwariya Ne Haye Daiya Bara Dukh Denu”. The film did an average business as people were not ready to watch films based on serious genres. Saqib Malik has announced the re-make of this film starring some of the most trending names of our entertainment industry including Osman Khalid Butt, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Ali Kazmi and Amna Ilyas. The remake will also feature Meera Irtaza in a leading role.
‘NAILA’ — directed by Sharif Nayyar, ‘Naila’ was based on a book by Razia Butt in which two men fall in love with the same woman called Naila. The one loved by the woman sacrifices himself for the sake of the other. It was the first colour film of Pakistan. The actors were Shamim Ara, Santosh, Darpan, Gulrukh, Ragni, A Shah, Farida and Nusrat Kardar. It was Agha Gul’s production with Inayat Hussain creating nine excellent tracks. These songs established Mala as a singer of Urdu films. The songs were penned by Qateel Shifai, Tufail Hushiyarpuri and Himayat Ali. Famous cameraman Nabi Ahmad was behind the camera. Hussain’s best collection of songs was appreciated by music lovers in this film. Picturised on the beautiful Shamim Ara and sung by Mala, songs like “Gham-e-Dil Ko In Ankhon Se Chalak Jana Bhi Aata Hai” are even popular today. This movie was released on October 29, 1965. It is one of the greatest ever romantic and melodious films made in Pakistan. Shamim bagged the Best Actress award for this movie. The other hit songs of Mala were “Door Weeraney May Ek Shama Hai Kab Se Roshan”, “Ab Thandi Aanhein Bhar Pagli”, “Mujhey Arzu Thi Jis Ki Woh Payam Aa Gaya Hai” and so on.
‘HEER RANJHA’ — this Punjabi movie made in 1970 was Khursheed Anwar’s musical venture. So many films have been made in India and Pakistan on this folklore but this has been the best made so far. According to Wikipedia, the film revolves around Heer, a girl born into a wealthy family and Ranjha, the youngest of four brothers, whose journey from his own village takes him to the village where Heer lives. After his sisters-in-law refuse him food and mock him, he meets and falls in love with Heer after she offers him work tending her family’s cattle. However her jealous uncle Kaido has other plans and will stop at nothing to make sure their marriage does not happen. When Heer is subsequently forced by her father to marry another man, Saida Khera, she broken-heartedly enters a shrine. Ranjha, reciting Allah’s name, eventually finds her and they are reunited. Their happiness does not last long, as Ranjha is arrested by the local ruler, although he is soon freed and permitted to marry Heer. On their wedding day, however, Heer’s jealous uncle Kaido poisons her. Ranjha, after hearing her calling out his name, comes to realise that her uncle Kaido has killed her. In the film’s climax, Ranjha kills Kaido with his own walking stick and then collapses and dies himself. This film is still remembered for its songs such “Sun Wanjli Di Mithri Taan Vey”, “O Wanjli Waalerya”, “Chan Mahi Aa Terai Rah Pai Takni Aaan” and “Kadi Aa Mil Ranjhan Vey” by Noor Jahan.
The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, February 7th 2019.