Shamim Ara
Encyclopedia
Shamim Ara (born: 1938 in Aligarh, British India) is a Pakistani film actress, director and producer. Her real name is Putli Bai. She was a famous film actress of the 1950s till the early 1970s. She is most famous for her leading role in the first ever West Pakistan's color motion picture Naela. She currently resides in Lahore
, Pakistan
.
as Surayya, Anarkali's younger sister. For the next two years, Shamim Ara went on to star in a few films but, none were a major success at the box office. However, in 1960, a side role in the film Saheli starring the late Nayyar Sultana is what truly advanced her career. By now, Shamim Ara had become a household name. Also, the pciturization of the song Mujh se pehli si muhabbat mere mehboob nah maang (a poem written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz), one of Noor Jehan
's famous songs in the film Qaidi (1962) on her, really skyrocketed her career. People had begun mimicking her speech, her make-up and her hairstyle. Her fame and impeccable acting skills landed her the title character of Naela (1965), the first ever color film produced in the then West Pakistan. This film proved to be unique in many aspects. Female viewers thronged to watch it. The way Shamim Ara played her role as "Naela", was a superb example of excellent acting that stirred the soul of film watchers. While watching the movie females used to become so sentimental and emotional that they were unable to control their feelings and wept bitterly, as the heroine dies in the end. Another remarkable movie, of the same year, was historic Devdas, in which she played the lead role splendidly. She went on to star in numerous films over the next few years. A notable film in 1967 was Doraha, in which she acted fabulously against romantic hero Waheed Murad
. Her outstanding performance in a double role in Khurshid Anwar's suspense movie Hamraz (1968), will always be remembered. Her acting career came to a halt in the early 1970s but, that did not stop her from being a part of the Pakistani film industry as she went on to produce and direct films. However, none of those films reached the level of success Shamim Ara had at the height of her acting career.
Jaidaad and Tees Maar Khan are the only two Punjabi movies in which she performed.
Shamim Ara, first of all was married to Sardar Rind, a landlord of Balochistan, who later expired in a road accident. After that she married Majid Karim, who was the owner of Agfa-Gevaert, Pakistan. Under family pressure he was compelled to divorce her. Third time her hand was held by Fareed Ahmed, son of W.Z. Ahmed (Waadah and Roohi fame), a Pakistan TV personality, but his wife, famous TV artist Samina Ahmed, allegedly created inevitable conditions which forced him to divorce the newly wed bride within three days of marriage. Out of this grief, abandoning his job, he left for Canada permanently, and died there. Shamim Ara now is married to the film maker and writer Dabeer-ul-Hasan, who has written the screenplays of most of the movies she directed, and is leading a happy life with him.
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
Early life
It was in 1956 that Putli's family visited Pakistan to meet some of the relatives who were settled here. The well-known film director Najam Naqvi, in those days, was in search of a new talent for his next project. By chance he happened to meet Putli. He was benumbed by the cute features, sweet voice and the innocent smile of Putli. He immediately signed her for film Kanwari bewah (1956) with the screen name of Shamim Ara. Though the film did not attract much viewers but a noticeable new female star certainly had appeared on the horizon of the Pakistan Film Industry.Career
Later on Shamim Ara was given a minor role in the film Anarkali (1958) starring the late Noor JehanNoor Jehan
Noorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a legendary singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades...
as Surayya, Anarkali's younger sister. For the next two years, Shamim Ara went on to star in a few films but, none were a major success at the box office. However, in 1960, a side role in the film Saheli starring the late Nayyar Sultana is what truly advanced her career. By now, Shamim Ara had become a household name. Also, the pciturization of the song Mujh se pehli si muhabbat mere mehboob nah maang (a poem written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz), one of Noor Jehan
Noor Jehan
Noorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a legendary singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades...
's famous songs in the film Qaidi (1962) on her, really skyrocketed her career. People had begun mimicking her speech, her make-up and her hairstyle. Her fame and impeccable acting skills landed her the title character of Naela (1965), the first ever color film produced in the then West Pakistan. This film proved to be unique in many aspects. Female viewers thronged to watch it. The way Shamim Ara played her role as "Naela", was a superb example of excellent acting that stirred the soul of film watchers. While watching the movie females used to become so sentimental and emotional that they were unable to control their feelings and wept bitterly, as the heroine dies in the end. Another remarkable movie, of the same year, was historic Devdas, in which she played the lead role splendidly. She went on to star in numerous films over the next few years. A notable film in 1967 was Doraha, in which she acted fabulously against romantic hero Waheed Murad
Waheed Murad
Waheed Murad was a legendary Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer. Waheed is considered to be one of the most famous and influential actors of subcontinent. Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, he was the only child of well-off film distributor Mr. Nisar Murad. He got early education from...
. Her outstanding performance in a double role in Khurshid Anwar's suspense movie Hamraz (1968), will always be remembered. Her acting career came to a halt in the early 1970s but, that did not stop her from being a part of the Pakistani film industry as she went on to produce and direct films. However, none of those films reached the level of success Shamim Ara had at the height of her acting career.
Jaidaad and Tees Maar Khan are the only two Punjabi movies in which she performed.
Film producer
In 1968 she produced her first film Saiqah which was based on the novel of Razia Butt. The film attracted a large number of film fans especially females.Film director
In 1976, for the first time, she directed film Geo aur jeenay do. After that she directed Munda bigra jaaey which turned out to be a diamond jubilee movie in both circuits; Lahore and Karachi. Other famous films she directed were Playboy, Miss Hong Kong, Miss Singapore, Miss Colombo, Lady smuggler, Lady commando, Aakhri mujra, Baita, Hathi mere sathi, Hum to chaley susral, Miss Istanbul, Hum kisi say kum nahin, and Love 95 etc.Marriages
Almighty has bestowed her with talents which are rare in females. She has cute features, which make her gorgeous. Her voice is very sweet and in true sense pleasing. Her pronunciation is remarkable and dialogue delivery is excellent. She is undoubtedly a talented actress. She has turned out to be a remarkable female film director. But in regard of marriages, she has, most of the time, been a target of hardships of destiny and evils have been casting shadows. It can be said that it is nothing but the Will of Providence.Shamim Ara, first of all was married to Sardar Rind, a landlord of Balochistan, who later expired in a road accident. After that she married Majid Karim, who was the owner of Agfa-Gevaert, Pakistan. Under family pressure he was compelled to divorce her. Third time her hand was held by Fareed Ahmed, son of W.Z. Ahmed (Waadah and Roohi fame), a Pakistan TV personality, but his wife, famous TV artist Samina Ahmed, allegedly created inevitable conditions which forced him to divorce the newly wed bride within three days of marriage. Out of this grief, abandoning his job, he left for Canada permanently, and died there. Shamim Ara now is married to the film maker and writer Dabeer-ul-Hasan, who has written the screenplays of most of the movies she directed, and is leading a happy life with him.
Filmography
- Kanwari bewah, Miss 56 (1956)
- Anarkali, Wah re zamaney (1958)
- Alam Ara, Apna paraya, Faislah, Savera, Jaidaad, Mazloom, Raaz (1959)
- Bhabi, Do ustad, Izzat, Raat ke rahi, Roop matti baaz bahadur, Saheli (1960)
- Insaan badalta hai, Zamana kya kahe ga, Zamin ka chaand (1961)
- Aanchal, Mehboob , Mera kya qasoor, Qaidi, Inqalab (1962)
- Dulhan, Ek tera sahara, Ghazala, Kala pani, Saazish, Seema, Tange wala (1963)
- Baap ka baap, Chingari, Farangi, Haveli, Maihkhanah, Pyaar ki sazaa, Tanha (1964)
- Devdas, Dil ke tukde, Fashion, Naelah (1965)
- Aag ka darya, Jalwa, Majboor, Mere mehboob, Pardah, Qabeelah (1966)
- Doraha, Humraaz, Laakhon mein aik (1967)
- Saiqah (Producer) (1968)
- Aanch, Dil-e-betaab, Salgirah (1969)
- Aansoo ban gaye moti, Bewafa (1970)
- Parai aag, Suhaag, Wehshi (1971)
- Angarey (1972)
- Khwaab aur zindagi (1973)
- Bhool (Producer) (1974)
- Shabanah (Director) (1976)
- Mere apne (Starred in and directed) (1981)
- Pal do pal (Director) (1999)