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I remember I was a child and studied from KG to Class 4 in Kinnaird High School, Lahore located near Railway Station. It is a girls’ school that used to be run by Christians. My three elder sisters were studying there. Boys were allowed until Class 4. We were four boys and I was in Class 4 in 1955. I remember a beautiful girl studying in Class 7 there who was famous for her looks and acting capabilities. Then I moved elsewhere for senior school. Time passed and this girl namely Cynthia Alexander Fernandez became famous for her short role in Hollywood venture ‘Bhawani Junction’ in 1956 some shots of which were filmed at Lahore Railway Station. The story’s plot revolved around the independence movement of India where Hindus were portrayed as villains.

The Indian Government did not allow this film to be shot in India but Pakistani Government allowed is filming in Pakistan. Neelo came from Bhera where she had been born in a Christian family to give shots as a Press reporter. Another Pakistani actor Saqi also appeared in an extra role. I remember hundreds of Pakistani public appearing for extra roles in this film. This film film was an adaptation of the 1954 novel Bhuwani Junction by John Masters produced by MGM. The film was directed by George Cukor and produced by Pandro S. Berman from a screenplay by Sonya Levien and Ivan Moffat. This film starred the beautiful actress Ava Gardner who played the role of Victoria Jones, an Anglo-Indian serving in Indian Army opposite Stewart Granger as Colonel Rodney Savage of Indian Army. The film was shot in England at MGM-British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, on the Long Moor Military Railway and on location in Lahore, Pakistan. So Parveen got a break in a Hollywood movie at age of 16.

Neelo came into prominence when the successful film ‘Saat Lakh’ was released in 1957. She had a brief role of portraying a mountain village girl singing Zubaida Khanum’s famous song ‘Aye Mausam Rangeele Suhane Jia Na Hi Mane Tu Chutti Lei Kei Aa Jaa Baalma’. The simple movements oozed innocence of a village girl. The song and Neelo both became instant hits despite the fact that she had appeared in the movies 1956: Sabira, 1957: Anjaam, 1957: Bholey Khan, 1957: Pasban and 1957: Sehti by then. The movie ‘Saat Lakh’ was Saif uddin Saif’s production. He wrote the lyrics as well.

Before proceeding further, I must add that Neelo was born into a Catholic family on June 30, 1940. She is now 78 and is a patient of diabetes. I met her by chance at a physician’s clinic in Gulberg a few months ago where her physician informed that she was in reasonable control of her disease. Her birth name was Cynthia Alexander Fernandez. She adopted the name Abida Riaz after embracing Islam at the time of her marriage to film screenwriter and film director Riaz Shahid who was a great name in his own capacity but he died young in October 1972. She bore two sons and one namely Shan Shahid is a famous Pakistani versatile actor and director. Perhaps he has inherited versatility from her mother and directorial heritage from her father. The other son is Aijaz Shahid and both live with their mother.

Mahlia Lone quotes in the magazine good times on April 16, 2016 that iin his article Socialist Cinema for a local newspaper; Zulqurnain Shahid describes the memorable working partnership between Riaz Shahid and left wing symbolist poet Habib Jalib. Their first collaboration took place on the film Khamosh Raho, released in 1964. They were both progressive literary figures who supported anti-imperialist fighters from Muslim backgrounds. The film’s plot was ostensibly about a brothel owner’s system of bonded prostitution, but it was multilayered. On a deeper level, it portrayed the similarities between arranged marriages and prostitution. Remarkably, it also predicted the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.

Neelo struggled from minor and side roles to heroine roles by her consistency and exhibiting versatile acting skills. Her films till 1960 were 1957: Yakke Wali, 1957: Aankh Ka Nashah, 1958: Akhri Nishan, 1958: Changez Khan, 1958: Darbar, 1958: Jan-e-Bahar, 1958: Jatti, 1958: Kachian Kaliyan, 1958: Mumtaz, 1958: Nayi Larki, 1958: Neya Daur, 1958: Sheikh Chilli, 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq, 1959: Koel, 1959: Lalkaar, 1959: Lukkan Mitti. 1959: Neend, 1959: Shama, 1959: Shera, 1959: Sola Aanay, 1959: Suchhey Moti, 1959: Saathi, 1959: Yaar Beli, 1960: Alladin Ka Beta, 1960: Ayaz, 1960: Insaaf, 1960: Khyber Mail, 1960: Manzil, 1960: Neelofar, 1960: Shehzadi and 1960: Street 77. In all her roles she left a mark whether in minor or in lead roles.

Before proceeding further, I must add that Neelo was born into a Catholic family on June 30, 1940. She is now 78 and is a patient of diabetes. I met her by chance at a physician’s clinic in Gulberg a few months ago where her doctor informed that she was in reasonable control of her disease

I shall quote three films where Neelo filmed the songs admirably well. Both had music by Khwaja Khursheed Anwar. In the film ‘Koel’ dominated by Nurjehan’s immortal songs, Zubaida Khanum held her own with the two seductive songs pictured admirably well by Neelo; ‘Masti Mein Jhoom Jhoom Re’ and ‘Ho, Dil Jala Na Dil Waley’. These songs were a connoisseur delight as these songs triggers the memory of golden songs by a voice that defined feminine allure in the 1950?s. In 1958 film ‘Zeher-e-Ishq’ Neelo’s expressions of love for Musarrat Nazir and fear of villain that imprisoned her were wonderfully expressed by Neelo who was left to see that the captive does not get freed. In 1962 film ‘Ghunghat’ Neelo’s role of a beautiful vamp luring the hero Santosh Kumar have been filmed excellent dance performance on Nahid Niazi’s song ‘Chehe Bolo Ya Na Bola Main Tau Piya Tihaari Hun’. Neelo is clad in Saari and flower garlands. Another dance filming by Neelo is excellent in 1975 film ‘Khatarnaak’ for Yousuf Khan rendered by Nurjehan. Overall Neelo’s active career spans from 1955 to 2005. Her life was full of struggle and she dedicated her life to her children and gave them best possible education.

Neelo’s films from 1961 onwards were 1961: Bara Bajje, 1961: Subha Kahin Sham Kahin, 1962: Azra, 1962: Banjaran, 1962: Barsaat Main. 1962: Darwaza, 1962: Dosheeza, 1962: Husn-o-Ishq, 1962: Unche Mahal, 1963: Barat, 1963: Daaman, 1963: Ishq Par Zor Nahin, 1963: Kala Aadmi, 1963: Mouj Mela, 1963: Qatal Kei Baad, 1963: Shikwa, 1963: Aman, 1964: Beti, 1964: Daachi, 1964: Gehra Daagh, 1964: Jugni, 1964: Khyber Pass, 1964: Mera Mahi, 1964: Nehle Peh Dehla, 1964: Sher Di Bachi, 1965: Faraib, 1965: Jeedar, 1965: Raqqasa, 1966: Abba Jee, 1966: Ann Parh, 1966: Badnaam, 1966: Chughalkhor, 1966: Laado, 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta, 1966: Naghma-e-Sehra, 1966: Nizam Lohar, 1966: Payal Ki Jhankar, 1967: Chattan, 1967: Dil Da Jani, 1967: Neeli Baar, 1967: Ravi Paar, 1967: Sham Savera, 1967: Yaar Maar, 1968: Jag Beeti, 1968: Lala Rukh, 1968: Paristan, 1968: Wohti, 1969: Aukha Jatt, 1969: Zarqa, 1971: Karishma, 1974: Khatarnaak, 1975: Athra, 1975: Balwant Kaur, 1975: Dhan Jigra Maa Da, 1975: Heera Phumman, 1975: Izzat, 1975: Jailor Tei Qaidi, 1975: Mera Naa Patey Khan, 1975: Rajjo, 1975: Sir Da Badla, 1975: Sultana Daku, 1975: Watan Iman, 1976: Ayyash, 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa Da, 1976: Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda, 1976: Khaufnaak, 1976: Kil Kil Mera Naa, 1976: Pindiwal, 1976: Wardat, 1977: Ajj Dian Kurrian, 1977: Akhri Goli, 1977: Danka, 1977: Jurm Main Keeta Si, 1977: Malikzada, 1977: Mere Badshah, 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun, 1977: Tera Vi Jawab Nahin, 1978: Chamman Khan, 1978: Gharib Da Baal, 1978: Ghunda, 1978: Haidar Daler, 1978: Inqalab, 1978: Mazi, Haal Aur Mustaqbil, 1978: Nazrana, 1978: Sharif Shehri, 1978: Tax, 1979: General Bakht Khan, 1979: Mout Meri Zindagi, 1979: Order, 1980: Chhotay Nawab, 1980: Heera Puttar, 1982: Khatra 440, 1989: Barood Ki Chhaon, 1990: Bulandi, 1990: Jur’at and 2013: Waar.

In my opinion Neelo excelled in the direction of Iqbal Shahzad and her husband Riaz Shahid. Having said that, I rate her acting in Beti, Banjaran, and Zerqa as simply superb. Music Director Deebo Bhattacharya captivated me when I heard his composed melody ‘Na Jane Kaisa Safar Hei Mera’ by Nurjehan from the film ‘Banjaran’ filmed on Neelo. The film was released both in Karachi and Lahore circuits on September 14, 1962. Although this film was the debut film of poet Masroor Anwar but this song was penned by great poet Fayyaz Hashmi.This team now offered their next production; another beautiful movie ‘Beti’ with Neelo and Ejaz directed by Raza Mir this time. The producer Iqbal Shahzad remained the same. It was released in 1964. The opening scene shows a film shooting shot by Neelo who is killed by a villain. Director Talish appreciates the shot but Neelo feels unwell and goes to doctor who congratulates on her pregnancy, Neelo does not want a child and begs to the lady doctor for help. Finally she gives up on her husband’s insistence and love and gives birth to a baby girl. Fresh and beautiful again, she returns to her film shooting to come out with a dance number ‘Chanan Chan Chana Chun Chun Bichwa Bole’ rendered by Naseem Begum in a scintillating tune by Deebo. Two Punjabi films Laado and Dil Da Jaani left a mark because of filming of melodious Nurjehan songs by Neelo. These songs are ‘Tenu Samnene Bitha Kei Sharmaan’, ‘ Dung Pyar Da Seene Tei Kha Kei’ and ‘Dil Da Jani’. What mesmerized me was the movie ‘Laado’ with Neelo’s enchanting acting and Master Abdullah’s songs. Neelo’s natural acting surpassed in a village backdrop pictured around a well and below a tree on Nurjehan’s song ‘Shiker Dopeher Pipli Dei Thaley Main Chankaniyan Wangaan’. Another song by Mala and Masood Rana pictured on Neelo, Habib and Munawar Zareef ‘Ki Bharosa Dum Da Aei Duniya Fani’ was catchy and rhythmic. This movie was released on August 26, 1966 and was directed by Sharif Nayyar. The producer was Safdar Masud and the lyrics were written by Hazin Qadri, Manzoor Jhalla and Mohan Singh Mahi. The support cast comprised Allauddin, Yasmin, Ragni, Rangila, Ilyas Kashmiri and Mazhar Shah. As per my humble assessment the best song was ‘Dang Pyar Da Seeney Tei Kha Ke’ by Nurjehan well pictured in a sad sequence by Neelo again. Mala sang a happy song ‘Nachdian Jhanjaran Tei’ pictured on Neelo with peeping tom Rangeela. The black and white days gave excellent outdoor coverage to this dance. Neelo gave dazzling performance in the Dhamal song ‘Sain Singhan Wala’. The images of those artists and pioneers still live in our hearts. His fans will always cherish the memory of Master Abdullah. The film ‘Dil Da Jaani’ was music maestro Wazir Afzal’s forte. He is specifically proud of his music in this film and the way Neelo filmed his songs.

What mesmerized me was the movie ‘Laado’ with Neelo’s enchanting acting and Master Abdullah’s songs. Neelo’s natural acting surpassed in a village backdrop pictured around a well and below a tree on Nurjehan’s song ‘Shiker Dopeher Pipli Dei Thaley Main Chankaniyan Wangaan’. Neelo gave dazzling performance in the Dhamal song ‘Sain Singhan Wala’. The images of those artists and pioneers still live in our hearts. His fans will always cherish the memory of Master Abdullah.

Wikipedia reports that the renowned leftist poet Habib Jalib “Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi’ which was used in the film Zarqa with slight changes in the words and ended up becoming a super-hit film song in Pakistan. The film song became much more relevant, effective and popular because it was pictured on Neelo herself and was based on similar real life events in Neelo’s life. She also won the Best Actress Nigar Award for film Zarqa. It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and sung by Mehdi Hassan.

Film Zarqa was produced and directed by Riaz Shahid who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband, Riaz Shahid, produce this film and it became the best known film of her career. This film was pinnacle in Neelo’s career.

Despite their busy schedules, Neelo’s family looks after her well. She herself is bold and visits her doctors on her own. We wish her sound health and a long life. Ameen! She has given moments of happiness to movie lovers for the last six decades.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com