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Directed by Zahoor Raja, its cast comprised Ejaz, Habib, Deeba, Nasrin, Rehan, Ilyas Kashmiri, Rashdi and Nusrat. In this film, some amazing songs by Madam Noor Jahan were featured. One of them was the lilting “Chupke Chupke Sab Se Chupke”, and another one was the soulful “Mujhe Apni Dunya Mein Wapas Bulale”. Muslehuddin roped in Nahid Niazi and her four sisters to give the background chorus to the song. This rare gem could very well go down as the first, last and only pure choir in a Pakistani film, which featured the convent-trained voices of five sisters.

Muslehuddin’s ninth film was ‘Nehlay Peh Dehla’, which was released in April, 1964. Directed by Iqbal Yousaf, its cast was Neelo, Kemal, Nasira, Saqi, Rangila and Sawan. Two duets were rendered by Niazi and Ahmad Rushdi for a spy film called ‘Nehle Pei Dehla’. It was Neelo and Kamal film. The songs were penned by Fayyaz Hashmi. Some of them were “Aate Ho Tau Aao Na” and ‘Darling Hamain Satao Nahin”.

Film ‘Shikari’ was released on March 20, that same year. Its cast comprised Shamim Ara, Darpan and Rukhsana. Asif Jah, Nafisa Noor, Azad and M Ismail also starred in the film, which was produced by Meraj Din and directed by Jaffar Bukhari. It is not known whether Niazi sang for this film or not. Muslehuddin also composed music for the film ‘Doctor’, which released on March 12, 1965. Shaukat Hashmi directed the film. Bahar, Yasmin, Waheed Murad, Jaffery and Aimmi Minwala starred in this one. Muslehuddin’s 12th film was ‘Josh’ in which the director Yousaf also acted along with Zeba, Sudhir, Murad, Rukhsana and Rozina. It was released on April 2, 1966. It was an action film. It was a big film for Niazi in which she sang five songs and the other were sung by Mala and Ahmed Rushdi. Niazi rendered “Balma Ja Re Ja”, “Chair Rahi Pagli Hawa Aa Ja Piya”, “Raat Chali Hai Jhoom Ke, “Saiyyan Bedardi Na Ja Re” and “Saiyyan Bedardi Nagar Nagar Pharkey”. The latter song was picturised on the petite Zeba and the hefty Lala Sudhir. Tarana, Asad Jafri, Kamal Irani, Santosh Russel, Fomi, Latif Charlie, Adeeb, Faizi and Saqi also acted in this film. Kalim Usmani wrote the lyrics. From this film’s music, one could decipher that Muslehuddin’s music had a touch of ingenuity. This quality alone made him look different. He went for softer melodies and musical interludes, that would touch the listener’s hearts.

Muslehuddin’s next venture was ‘Joker’, which was rumoured to be inspired by Indian film ‘Mera Naam Joker’. It was Yousuf who took the risk of producing the film. It was released on February 25, 1966. Rani, Zeba, Azad, Faizi, Rehan, Lehri and Talish were the cast members. Both movies did not do well at the box office. Niazi and Rushdi sang a duet “Har Dil Ki Laggan Tum” for this film. The story was written by Ali Sufian Afaqi. Tremendous hits like Rushdi’s “Shauq-e-Awargi” and “Pyar Main Hum Ne Khai Hai Thokar” were the highlight of this circus-based film.

Movie ‘Jaan Pehchan’ had three songs by Niazi, two solos and one duet with Rushdi; these were “Jane Ma Jane Ma Jane Ma Sud Arame Ma” penned by Nasir Kasganjvi filmed on Shahpar, “Lage Na Jiya Tujh Bin Jaane Kyun” filmed on actress Tarana, “Chup Chup Ke Nazrain Milate Raho” filmed on Muhammad Ali and Shahpar. Farid Ahmad son of WZ Ahmad directed this film, casting Iranian actress Shahpar. The lyricist was Naeem Tahir and Mohsin Shirazi produced this film. This family drama film was released on February 3, 1967. With ‘Jaan Pehchan’, Muslehuddin also became the first music director to use a 100-piece orchestra in a Pakistani film.

Muslehuddin’s 15th venture was ‘Awara’ released on November 15, 1968. Dilshad Malik directed this film. Its cast was Naghma, Kamal, Nabila and Salma Mumtaz. Movie ‘Mujhe Jeene Do’ was released on August 9, 1968. Niazi rendered only one song for this film, which was “Husn Bhi Mauj May Hai”. This was Zeba and Muhammad Ali’s film with Rangila, Zamurad, Ajmal and Sultan Rahi, also being integral characters. It was directed by Razzaq and produced by Nazir Ali.

Siraj Khan in his submission, states, “A creative genius is always self-made. Muslehuddin was one such person who could play the harmonium, accordion and piano, and could conjure up tunes in minutes. He had a good ear for both eastern and western beats and their nuances. Not surprisingly, he created quite a stir as a music director in his debut film itself.”

Khan reports, “That was just one part of the brilliant composer’s life.” —Continued