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The
pioneer of Pakistan film industry, one of the first filmmakers
of independent Pakistan. His Gul Bakaoli is still revered as the
best fairy tale Pakistani film. However, Chanway, Jaan-e-Bahar
and Aashiq remain his trademark movies, since they were light
romantic cum social stories, a genre that Shaukat sahib specialized
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What
can one say about her?
The world might never lend its ears to the voice that warmed the
hearts and souls of millions and millions of music lovers all
around the world. What she was able to sing for the films Koel,
Intezar and Heer Ranjha (to cite a few examples), was something
that no other female vocalist can even imagine to achieve. |
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The
first superstar of Lollywood. He was, without a job of doubt,
the first hero who had a massive fan-following. Mohammad Ali was
no mean actor either. To gauge the verity of the claim one look
at his performance in the movies Insaan Aur Aadmi, Saiqa and Khamosh
Raho would suffice.
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The music director who had a master’s
degree in philosophy and a host of great musical scores to his
credit. Who can forget the mellifluous, memorable tunes of Intezar,
Koel, ghoongat and Heer Ranjha? Someone once complimented Faiz
Ahmed Faiz on being a great man, to which he replied that it’s
not he but Khwaja Khurshid Anwar that fell into the category of
great men.
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The director who began making purposeful
films in Pakistan. Apart from that he also experienced with technique
and dialogue-writing. Bahisht, Khamosh Raho and ye Amn are his
masterpieces. He also dabbled in historic movies, something that
Pakistani filmmakers gladly refrain from. Shaheed and Zarqa are
two examples of the same.
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The man who introduced glamour into
the film industry. This ‘chocolate hero’ was the first
one to break the shackles of conventional, stern-looking male
protagonist and danced and joked with complete abandon. Apart
from that, Waheed Murad also boasted a hairdo that became a rage
amongst youngsters at the time. Masterpieces: Arman, Insaniyat
and Hira Pathar.
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No
other singer, at least in Pakistan, can boast of singing so many
songs, falling into a variety of genres (geet, ghazal, happy,
sad, fast, slow, Urdu Punjabi) than Mehdi Hassan. Had it not been
for Mehdi Sahib, there were chances that Muhammad Ali, Waheed
Murad, Nadeem and Shahid might not have enjoyed the stature that
they did. Masterpieces: Dard, Insaan Aur Aadmi and Zarqa.
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The
couple epitomized decency and sobriety, on and off-screen, and
made films that every Pakistani could readily identify with. They
were the best specimen of the times when hullabaloo and meaningless
hew and cry weren’t the subject-matter of our films. The
couple’s masterpieces are Wada, Dever Bhabi and Daman.
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The
best supporting actor, whose awe-inspiring thespianism might never
be surpassed, He is at his supreme best in the films Badnam, Shaheed
and Zarqa. Some believe that in Mehtab he displayed his talent
to the best, playing a helpless, penury-stricken husband of a
wife opting for immoral ways to earn a living. |
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The icon of Punjabi films who single-handedly
saved the industry from going to the dogs in the 80’s. Though
he had his share of detractors, but the fact of the matter is
that he was one of his kinds and a lot of people envied him. Mola
Jutt and Bashira have to be seen to verify this observation.
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The heartthrob of the entire nation.
No one could dance like she did one could coochie coo the way
she did. One of those rare entities who always warmed the cockles
of your heart. Masterpieces: Umrao Jaan, Sita Maryam Margaret
and Surayya Bhopali.
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One of the most prolific directors.
Light, romantic and social films were his hallmark. He easily
amongst the top five commercially successful auteur. Daman Aur
Chingari Afsana Zindagi Ka and Saperan are three of his best ventures.
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Perhaps
he was the first Pakistani pop singer. With his foot-tapping,
fingers-snapping numbers, he brought ebullience and energy to
the otherwise typical film music of Lollywood. But that was not
it. Rushdie sahib was a versatile vocalist. He could sing sad
or slow songs with equal ease and perfection. Masterpieces: Arman,
Samandar and Tum Mile Piyar Mila.
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The
glamorous, ever-green heroine. Versatility was also her forte.
The baby doll of a girl garnered a huge fan as well as cult following.
She still rules many heart. Salakhein, Mera Naam Hai Muhabbat
and Shabana are films where she is at her effervescent best.
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The best supporting actress that
the industry ever had. The perpetual gloom on her heavenly countenance
and the sad situations that she would often confront in movies
made her the paragon of sacrifice and altruism. Masterpieces:
Saheli, Maan Ke Aansu and Aulad.
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The founding member of Nigar, the
famous film magazine. This great journalist was also instrumental
in instituting Nigar Awards, Pakistan Film Industry’s most
prestigious awards. His services also include promotion and well
being of many an artist.
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Brought a new flavor into the music
world of Pakistan. His tunes mainly had urban touch to them, unlike
the musicians from Punjab. He also gave many new singers to the
industry, Alamgir being one of them. Masterpieces: Shama Aur Parwana,
Umra o Jaan Ada and Aisa Bhi Hota Hai.
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The genius of a comedian. His acerbic
humor and note-perfect dialogue delivery were matchless; and he
was never dependent on the script-writer, the genius that he was.
The generation X wallahs must watch his Aag Ka Darya, Dever Bhabi
and Aag.
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The best anti-hero that Pakistan
film industry ever produced. His iconoclastic mean and vile characterization
in a number of movies sent chills down the spines of many filmgoers.
A superlative actor! Nek Parveen and Tahzeeb are two films that
instantly bring Aslam Pervaiz’s work to mind.
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Another comic genius. His wacky antics
and hilarious mannerism spawned many comedians in Pakistan –
Umar Sharif and Amanullah to name a couple. Shararat, Rageela
Aur Munawwar Zarif and Dia Aur Tufan are his memorable flicks
that keep you in stitches.
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The prolific songwriter. Not many
poets can brag about coming up with so many hit songs than Tasleem
Fazli. Some of the films that he wrote famous songs are Shama,
Daman Aur Chingari and Abshaar.
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The
most successful film distributor who’s still a very significant
part of the industry. It would be astonishing to note that in
the 50’s one of his films Bahan Bhhai did business worth
3 crore.
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