SHAMIM ARA ,PAKISTAN ACTRESS BORN 1938 MARCH 22

SHAMIM ARA ,PAKISTAN ACTRESS

BORN 1938 MARCH 22

Shamim Ara (Urdu: شمیم آرا ‎) (22 March 1938 – 5 August 2016)[1][2] was a Pakistani film actress, film director and film producer.

She was born Putli Bai but later adopted the film name Shamim Ara. Her acting career spans from the late 1950s till the early 1970s. She is most famous for her leading role in the then West Pakistan's first color motion picture Naila (1965), released on 29 October 1965, whereas the first full length color motion picture was Sangam (1964) which was produced in the then East Pakistan and released on 23 April 1964.[3]
Career

In 1956, Putli Bai's family were visiting some relatives in Lahore, Pakistan, when after a chance meeting with the well-known film director, Najam Naqvi, she was signed for his next movie. He was searching for a new face for his film Kanwari Bewah (1956) and was impressed by her cute face, sweet voice, approachable personality and innocent yet inviting smile. It was Najam Naqvi who introduced her under the stage name Shamim Ara. Though the film did not attract many viewers, a noticeable new female star had appeared on the horizon of the Pakistan film industry.

Later, Shamim Ara was given a minor role in the film Anarkali (1958) starring Noor Jehan as Anarkali and Shamim Ara 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 major role in the film Saheli (1960) is what truly advanced her career. After this film, Shamim Ara had become a household name. 

The filming of the song Mujh Se Pehli Si Muhabbat Meray Mehboob Na Maang (a poem written by renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and sung by Madam Noor Jehan) with Rasheed Attre's music in the film Qaidi (1962), had everyone talking about her. Women had begun mimicking her speech, her make-up and her hairstyle. She had become a household name. Her fame and impeccable acting skills landed her the title character in the film Naila (1965), the first color film produced in the then West Pakistan. Her portrayal of the tragic Naila won her further critical acclaim. She went on to star in many hit films including Devdas, Doraha, Humraz. However, Qaidi (1962), Chingari (1964), Farangi (1964), Naila (1965), Aag Ka Darya (1966), Lakhon Mein Eik (1967), Saiqa (1968) and Salgirah (1968) were landmarks in her career securing her a position as the top actress of the 1960s in Lollywood. Her acting career came to a halt when she retired as a leading lady in the early 1970s. But that did not stop her from being a part of the Pakistani film industry as she pioneered to produce and direct films on her own. However, none of those films reached the level of success Shamim Ara had at the height of her acting career.[4] Jaidaad (1959) and Tees Maar Khan (1989) were the only two Punjabi movies in which she performed.

As a film producer

In 1968, she produced her first film Saiqa (1968) which was based on the novel by Razia Butt. The film attracted a large number of viewers especially females.

As a film director
In 1976, for the first time, she directed film Jeo Aur Jeenay Do (1976). Later she also directed the Diamond Jubilee film Munda Bigra Jaye (1995). Other films she directed include Playboy (1978), Miss Hong Kong (1979), Miss Singapore (1985), Miss Colombo (1984), Lady Smuggler (1987), Lady Commando (1989), Aakhri Mujra (1994), Baita (1994), Haathi Mere Saathi, Munda Bigra Jaye (1995), Hum To Chaley Susral (1996), Miss Istanbul (1996), Hum Kisi Say Kum Nahin (1997), Love 95 (1996)[5] and Pal Do Pal (1999).

Personal life

Shamim Ara was married four times. Her first husband (and perhaps patron) was Sardar Rind, a landlord of Balochistan, who died in a car accident.[6] She then married Abdul Majid Carim, the scion of the family that runs Agfa Color Film Company. They had a son, Salman Majid Carim (who was to be her only child), but the marriage ended in divorce. Her third marriage was to Fareed Ahmed, a film director and the son of the famous film director W.Z. Ahmed. That marriage, too, ended in divorce. Shamim Ara later married Pakistani film director and writer Dabeer-ul-Hassan.[7] They lived in Lahore until 2005, when she and Salman Majeed Carim (her son by a previous marriage) moved to London while her husband remained in Pakistan.

During a visit to Pakistan, she suffered a brain haemorrhage on 19 October 2010,[8] and was taken back to London for treatment.[9] She remained in and out of hospital for six years, and was cared for by her only son, Salman Majid Carim, who is very wealthy because of having inherited the Agfa Color Film Company from his father. Shamim Ara died on 5 August 2016 in a hospital in London after a very long illness.[2][10] Her only son led the funeral arrangements and she was buried in the UK.[11]

Filmography

Kanwari Bewah, Miss 56 -Films in (1956)
Anarkali, Wah Re Zamaney -Films in (1958)
Alam Ara, Apna Paraya, Faislah, Savera, Jaidaad, Mazloom, Raaz -Films in (1959)
Bhabi, Do Ustad, Izzat, Raat Ke Rahi (1960), Roop matti baaz bahadur, Saheli -Films in (1960)
Insaan badalta hai, Zamana kya kahe ga, Zamin ka chaand Films in (1961)
Aanchal, Mehboob, Mera kya qasoor, Qaidi, Inqalab Films in (1962)
Dulhan, Ek tera sahara, Ghazala, Kala pani, Saazish, Seema, Tange wala -Films in (1963)
Baap ka baap, Chingari, Farangi, Haveli, Maihkhanah, Pyaar ki sazaa, Tanha -Films in(1964)
Devdas, Dil ke tukde, Fashion, Naila -Films in (1965)
Aag ka darya, Jalwa, Majboor, Mere mehboob, Pardah, Qabeelah -Films in (1966)
Doraha, Humraaz, Laakhon mein aik -Films in (1967)
Saiqah (Producer) -Films in(1968)
Dil mera Dharkan Teri (1968)
Aanch, Dil-e-betaab, Salgirah -Films in (1969)
Aansoo ban gaye moti, Bewafa (1970)
Parai Aag, Suhaag, Wehshi (1971), Khak Aur Khoon -Films in (1971)
Angarey -Films in (1972)
Khwaab Aur Zindagi -Films in (1973)
Bhool (1974) (as a Producer), Playboy (Producer and Director) (1978)
Mere Apne (Starred in and directed the film) (1981)
Pal Do Pal (Director) (1999)[12]

Versatile actress and veteran film director Shamim Ara passed away in London at the age of 78, bringing end to an era of Pakistani films. From the late 50s to the 90s, Shamim Ara stayed active on the film circuit first as an actress, later as a producer and finally as a director with countless hits to her credits.

Be it her role of a Tawaif opposite Mohammad Ali in Aag Ka Darya, her brilliant acting in Saheli opposite Shamim Ara and Darpan or her double role in Humraaz, Shamim Ara captured the attention of the public with her innocence. She could act as well as dance in an era when females didn’t venture into films due to family pressure; it was the family of Putli Bai (her maiden name) that encouraged her to go for films and their decision proved to be beneficial to Pakistani films. She was one of the top actresses in the 60s

Let’s take a look at Shamim Ara’s career by going down the memory lane and looking at some of the songs she made immortal with her skills both in front of the camera as well as behind it.

Kahan Ho Tum – Humraaz

Shamim Ara played a double role in this Khwaja Khursheed Anwar thriller where one of the twin sisters was in love with the leading man whereas the other was kept a patient stuck in a basement. This song by Madam Noor Jehan was one of the first in the country to experiment with chorus and came out exceedingly well.

Gham e Dil – Naila

Naila was one of the first few films that were released in colour; Mala sang brilliantly for Shamim Ara in this hit number which is still loved by all.

Bhooli Hui Hoon Dastan – Doraha

This tandem song changed the story of the film where Waheed Murad’s character has quit the hope of finding his beloved who then sings the same song he used to perform as a radio singer; Pervez Malik’s direction is top notch and so is Mala’s rendition.

Abhi Dhoond Hi Rahi Theen – Bewafa

Madam Noor Jehan is at her very best in this Nisar Bazmi song in which Shamim Ara and Waheed Murad look dashing and in love; to lip sync on such a high pitched song might be difficult for some but Shamim Ara does it effortlessly.

Kiya Hai Jo Pyar – Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri

Another tandem song featuring Waheed Murad and Shamim Ara; Mala delivers a gem when she croones for the top actress of the 60s. Master Inayat Hussain must also be commended for his brilliant compositin which also saw Ahmed Rushdi deliver his version in an impeccable manner.

Chalo Acha Hua Tum Bhool Gaye – Saat Laakh

Not many know that Saat Laakh was the inspiration behind Bollywood flick Henna in the 90s; back in the 1960s when it was released, it became one of the better known flicks due to its songs as well as story. Shamim Ara performed well in most of the songs but this one remains etched to the memory for one reason – Madam Noor Jehan!

Aye Baharon Gawah Rehna – Saiqa

Shamim Ara turned producer with Saiqa that was based on Razia Butt’s novel and by doing so, she opened the door for other actresses as well who later tried their hands at production. In this Ahmed Rushdi-Mala duet, she gives wonderful expressions and blows away the audience with her innocence.

Le Aayi Phir Kahan Par – Saalgirah

Saalgirah may not be the biggest hit of Shamim Ara’s career but the songs were outstanding; she plays a young woman who got misplaced when young and later returns as a popular singer to her parent’s place.

Kal Bhi Tumse Pyar Tha Mujhko – Khwab Aur Zindagi

Although Waheed Murad and Shamim Ara were of the same age, she started her career quite early hence was senior to the chocolate hero. They had a good reputation as they were best of friends and that’s one of the reasons why they had a brilliant chemistry on screen. This song from Khwab Aur Zindagi has been sung by Masood Rana and Runa Laila and was released in 1973.

Tera Mera Koi Na Koi Naata Hai – Playboy

Shamim Ara turned director in the 70s and Playboy proved to be one of the most successful flicks of her career as a director. Here Mehdi Hassan sings a wonderful song for Babra Sharif who later returns the favour in the voice of Mehnaz.

Title Track – Munda Bigra Jaye

At one time, this flick was the most succesful flick of Pakistan and Shamim Ara must be commended for introducing a new lead pair Reema-Babar Ali through it, who remained popular in the late 90s. However, Rambo (Afzal Khan) gets to show his dancing skills in this Saleem Danish number that became a rage.

Dil Main Basa Kay – Miss Istanbul

Anwar Rafi and Humera Channa sang the two versions of this tandem in one of Shamim Ara’s final films; the location is Turkey and the movie is Miss Instanbul, an adaptation of Pretty Woman. The result – wonderful soundtrack.

Pal Do Pal – Title Track


It was Shamim Ara who convinced Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to compose a soundtrack in Lollywood; Pal Do Pal proved to be her final film and in this song, Humera Channa does a brilliant job, justifying the music composer’s trust in her abilities.