If it weren’t for this filmmaker’s vision and industry acumen, I would not have discovered my love for Pakistani cinema once again. ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ blew one away with its concept and execution, put forth by none other than Shoaib Mansoor.
A television and film director, writer, producer, lyricist and musician, Shoaib Mansoor has been in the TV industry since 1980. He first found success for composing and writing the song “Dil dil Pakistan” in 1987, thereby introducing Vital Signs in mainstream Pakistani TV. He was also well recognised for directing many critically acclaimed hit drama series for Pakistani TV.
He became internationally known and popular for directing TV shows including the 1982 classic ‘Ankahi’, comedy series ‘50 50’ and the military fiction series ‘Alpha Bravo Charlie’.
Mansoor found further critical acclaim for his musical abilities, writing songs for Vital Signs in the 1990s and introduced the band nationwide. A versatile artist, he became a popular and respected film director after the release of critically acclaimed films ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ and ‘Bol’. Mansoor won many awards for his work including the Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award (Star of Excellence) from the president in 2007.
Whatever he touches turns to gold or becomes a masterpiece for all times to come
Mansoor or ShoMan is among the most influential and famous figures in the Pakistani entertainment sector. He has directed, written and produced super hit TV shows such as ‘Sunehre Din’ and ‘Gulls & Guys’, which aired on PTV.
Mansoor has also been a successful songwriter and music composer. Besides being Junaid Jamshed’s mentor, he was the backbone for the band’s songs and composed and produced most of the Vital Signs’ albums. Between 2001 and 2003, he directed the “Ishq Mohabbat Apna Pan” music video picturised on Iman Ali and Rasheed Naz. He wrote and composed a number of Vital Signs’ hit numbers such as “Aitebar”. In addition, he directed all of Vital Signs’ videos and also produced a music video compilation and a movie titled ‘Geetar ’93’.
In 2007, Mansoor debuted as a film director with the critically acclaimed film ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ released on July 20, 2007 all over Pakistan. It received the Silver Pyramid Award from the Cairo International Film Festival for 2007.
In 2009, he began directing a big budget film ‘Bol’, with Atif Aslam, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick and Iman Ali playing lead roles. The premiere was on June 24, 2011.
‘Khuda Ke Liye’ blew one away with its concept and execution
Mansoor’s third film ‘Verna’ starring Mahira Khan as the main female lead was released by Hum Films on November 17, 2017. Mansoor founded Shoman Productions, which is responsible for the production of ‘Verna’.
In recognition of his outstanding services, Mansoor has been decorated with presidential award of Pride of Performance in 2002 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the government in 2007. He has also been awarded PTV Lifetime Achievement Award by former president Pervez Musharraf on the 43rd anniversary of PTV in November 2007. His film ‘Bol’ was awarded the Best Hindi Film award in IRDS Film awards 2011 by Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a Lucknow-based Civil society for raising many social issues including the regressive attitude of a male-dominated society. He has also won Lux Style Award, Roberto Rossellini Award, London Asian Film Festival and was nominated for Asia Pacific Screen Awards. ‘Dhundle Raaste’, ‘Jharnay’ and ‘Junoon Abhi Kum Nahi Hua’ are some of his TV directorials. Whatever he touches turns to gold or becomes a masterpiece for all times to come.
Achievements
TOP OF HIS GAME
Shoaib Mansoor is a highly successful television and film director, writer, producer, lyricist and musician and has won numerous accolades for all these endeavours. He is regarded as the country’s best filmmaker and screenwriter as of now.
DISTINGUISHED LYRICIST
Shoaib Mansoor has been the force behind global hit “Dil dil Pakistan” which he wrote himself. Back in 1980s, he introduced the pop sensation Vital Signs to the mainstream media. Besides being Junaid Jamshed’s mentor, he was the backbone for the band’s songs and composed and produced most of the Vital Signs’ albums. He wrote and composed a number of Vital Signs’ hit numbers such as “Aitebar”.
ACE DIRECTOR
Mansoor has directed, written and produced super hit TV shows such as ‘Ankahi’, ’50 50’, ‘Alpha Bravo Charlie’, ‘Sunehre Din’ and ‘Gulls & Guys’. He became a popular and respected film director after the release of critically acclaimed films ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ and ‘Bol’.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
In recognition of his outstanding services, Mansoor has been decorated with presidential award of Pride of Performance in 2002 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the government in 2007. He has also been awarded PTV Lifetime Achievement Award by former president Pervez Musharraf on the 43rd anniversary of PTV in November 2007. His film ‘Bol’ was awarded the Best Hindi Film award in IRDS Film awards 2011 by Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS), a Lucknow-based Civil society for raising many social issues including the regressive attitude of a male-dominated society. He has also won Lux Style Award, Roberto Rossellini Award, London Asian Film Festival and was nominated for Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
Published in Daily Times, August 17th 2018.