Sabiha Khanum
Encyclopedia
Sabiha Khanum is a Pakistan
i film actress. She was the leading star of Pakistani cinema
in the 1950s and the 1960s, and played successful character roles later.
Sabiha was raised in a conservative rural environment by her grandparents, but got her first opportunity on stage in Lahore
after she moved there to be with her father. Most of Sabiha's movies were with her late husband, Santosh Kumar
(Musa Raza). Sabiha and Santosh were highly regarded as performers on their own and a collective basis.
A cultural delegation visited a cinema house in Sialkot, Pakistan in 1948. Mukhtar Begum, who was part of the delegation, sang a Punjabi song: Kithay gae yoon pardesia way from the film Sassi Punnoo, (stars: Baalu, Aslam). The performance was well praised, and soon Mohammad Ali (Maahia) introduced his daughter to a noted stage drama writer-cum-poet, Nafees Khaleeli. Overwhelmed by her determination, Khaleeli offered her a role in the drama But shikan. She enthusiastically accepted the offer. Nafees Khaleeli gave her screen name of Sabiha Khanum.
Next Sabiha played the role of 'Noori' in director Anwar Kamal Pasha's silver jubilee film Do Aansoo, starring Santosh, Gulshan Ara, Sabiha.Do Aansoo takes a realistic approach to the tragedy both in scenery and characterization. The film was the crowning achievement of the then movie crew.
Sabiha gained immense prominence in her next movie Aaghosh, Direced by Murtaza Jilani, starring Santosh, Sabiha, and Gulshan Ara.
The secret of Sabiha's success in the Pakistani cinema includes flexibility, rooted in love and understanding.
Next to all of that is the fact that Sabiha is an embodiment of courage, kindness and decency.
In the annals of Pakistani film industry, Sabiha stands out. Sabiha dazzled cine-goers in the 1950s.
Next to all of that is her role in the film 'Ghulam' (released in 1953, director: Anwar Kamal Pasha, stars: Santosh-Sabiha).
Her motivation was always clear and resolute. Directors admired her ability to improvise.
She was unquestionably talented and irrepressibly ambitious.
Her role in the film 'Gum naam' is a testament to her magnificent artistic caliber. ('Gum naam' director: Anwar Kamal Pasha, stars: Seema-Sudhir-Sabiha).
The film 'Gum naam' is a parable about a mentally retarded girl, (smartly dubbed by Sabiha) is a pleasure to watch.
Further, the interesting story of 'Gum naam' actually carries the film through to the end.
The high profile reputation which Sabiha achieved in the 1950s and 1960s as an actress has only increased.
Sabiha played the role of 'Nooran' in the romantic Punjabi film, directed by M.S. Daar. Sabiha's character in the film 'Dula Bhatti' is, indeed, an achievement of a lifetime.
Sabiha was cast opposite all renowned actors of her time. However, she will be remembered most for her films with Santosh Kumar.
Along the way, she found the love of her life-Santosh Kumar.
Once married, they had a great future together.
Movie-goers were treated to a succession of films about popular romance like the film 'Wada' (Sabiha-Santosh).
The film 'Wada' was followed by another spate of magnificent movies, which provided countless hours of pleasure to millions of people:
'Paas baan', 'Sheikh chilli', 'Aas paas', 'Sassi', 'Sohni', 'Choti Begum', 'Daata', 'Hatim', 'Aaj kal', 'Dil mein tu', 'Ayaz', 'Mehfil', 'Pervaaz', 'Tufaan', and 'Pholay Khan'.
The push to reach the zenith did fire her imagination since her earlier days.
Her genius in succeeding was largely one of character-patience, self-discipline, rationality and inner resolve.
Moreover, her independence of mind and ability to focus on her work also served her well.
Sabiha's achievement along with Santosh Kumar in the following films is still a worthy yardstick:
'Saat lakh', 'Darbar', 'Sardar', 'Saltanat', 'Mukhra', 'Muskurahat', 'Rishta', 'Hasrat', 'Ishrat', 'Shikwa', 'Teray baghair', 'Mauseeqar', 'Dulhan', 'Kaneez', 'Dewar bhabi', 'Shaam Dhalay', 'Shahen Shah Jehangir', 'Pak Daman', 'Anjuman', 'Sarfarosh', 'Inteqaam', 'Qatil', 'Sawaal', 'Commander', and 'Mohabbat'.
Her unparalleled performance in innumerable movies are classic characterizations which viewers watch with glee to this day.
Sabiha's role in the film 'Anjuman' was not only unique for her, but a real life test of integrity, as well.
Confidence in one's own judgment, she realized early on, is what matters most.
She won the hearts of her fans with her role in the following films:
Director Hasan Tariq's films 'Tehzeeb' and 'Ik gunah aur sahi'.
Director Zia Sarhadi's film 'Raha guzar'.
Director Zahoor Raja's film 'Deewana'.
Director Jameel Akhtar's film 'Aik Raat'.
Sabiha, the first lady of the Pakistani silver screen, won the pride of performance award from the government of Pakistan, and her face was lit by a smile.
Her look is simple-and it is simply everywhere.
To talk of Sabiha in the twenty first century is to perceive the style and the substance of a graceful lady who defined two generations.
Sabiha's four decades of meritorious work in the Pakistani cinema brought her numerous laurels from virtually everywhere.
Her bright smile speaks for her in many ways.
Sabiha also appeared in drama serials from Karachi and Lahore television stations.
She depicts the wit and homespun wisdom of ordinary Pakistanis.
Her brand of patriotism and her down-home style had wide appeal.
The following two national songs recorded in Sabiha's voice, sparked patriotism, renewed inspiration and symbolized in today's terms the Pakistani dream of human achievement -and the unrelenting march toward betterment:
Sohni dharti Allah rakhay qadam qadam Aabad tujhay.
Jug jug jeeye mera pyara watan lub pay dua hai dil mein lagun.
In Anwar Maqsood's stage show, 'Silver Jubilee', she rendered the following song from the film 'Mauseeqar':
'Yaad karoon tujhay sham saweray'.
As the final lyrics faded away that evening, the audience stood, applauding insistently.
Ironically, most of the people from the 'nostalgic era' are now dead.
But Sabiha's past performances in the films speaks volumes nonetheless.
Sabiha who has been in the public eye for four decades retired and lives with her eldest daughter in U.S.A.
Additionally, Sabiha's son and youngest daughter have also settled in the U.S.A.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Saat Lakh' in 1957.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Shikwa' in 1963.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Dewar bhabi' in 1967.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Aik gunah aur sahi' in 1975.
Sabiha won the special Nigar award for her thirty years of acting career in 1981.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best supporting actress in director Hasan Tariq's film 'Sungdil' in 1982.
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...
i film actress. She was the leading star of Pakistani cinema
Cinema of Pakistan
The cinema of Pakistan refers to Pakistan's film industry. Most of the feature films shot in Pakistan are in Urdu language but may also include films in English, Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi or Sindhi languages....
in the 1950s and the 1960s, and played successful character roles later.
Sabiha was raised in a conservative rural environment by her grandparents, but got her first opportunity on stage in Lahore
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...
after she moved there to be with her father. Most of Sabiha's movies were with her late husband, Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar
Syed Musa Raza better known as Santosh Kumar was a famous Pakistani film actor of 1950s and 1960s era. He belonged to a well educated family from Uttar Pradesh, India. He was married to Sabiha Khanum. His brother Darpan was also a renowned film actor during that period. His other brother S...
(Musa Raza). Sabiha and Santosh were highly regarded as performers on their own and a collective basis.
Early life
Sabeeha Khanum( birth name: Mukhtar Begum), the daughter of Iqbal Begum (Baalu) from Amritsar Punjab, now in India, and Mohammad Ali (Maahia) (hailed from Dehli) has been a Pakistani film actress of yesteryear; who was initially raised by her grandparents but was discovered while living with her father.A cultural delegation visited a cinema house in Sialkot, Pakistan in 1948. Mukhtar Begum, who was part of the delegation, sang a Punjabi song: Kithay gae yoon pardesia way from the film Sassi Punnoo, (stars: Baalu, Aslam). The performance was well praised, and soon Mohammad Ali (Maahia) introduced his daughter to a noted stage drama writer-cum-poet, Nafees Khaleeli. Overwhelmed by her determination, Khaleeli offered her a role in the drama But shikan. She enthusiastically accepted the offer. Nafees Khaleeli gave her screen name of Sabiha Khanum.
Career
On Nafees Khaleeli's request, the film director Masood Pervez offered Sabiha a role in the film Beli. Hence, as a film actress Sabiha made her debut in 1948. Beli was also the first film of Masood Pervez as director. (Cast: Santosh, Shaheena, Sabiha). The film Beli was a harbinger of better movies ahead.Next Sabiha played the role of 'Noori' in director Anwar Kamal Pasha's silver jubilee film Do Aansoo, starring Santosh, Gulshan Ara, Sabiha.Do Aansoo takes a realistic approach to the tragedy both in scenery and characterization. The film was the crowning achievement of the then movie crew.
Sabiha gained immense prominence in her next movie Aaghosh, Direced by Murtaza Jilani, starring Santosh, Sabiha, and Gulshan Ara.
The secret of Sabiha's success in the Pakistani cinema includes flexibility, rooted in love and understanding.
Next to all of that is the fact that Sabiha is an embodiment of courage, kindness and decency.
In the annals of Pakistani film industry, Sabiha stands out. Sabiha dazzled cine-goers in the 1950s.
Next to all of that is her role in the film 'Ghulam' (released in 1953, director: Anwar Kamal Pasha, stars: Santosh-Sabiha).
Her motivation was always clear and resolute. Directors admired her ability to improvise.
She was unquestionably talented and irrepressibly ambitious.
Her role in the film 'Gum naam' is a testament to her magnificent artistic caliber. ('Gum naam' director: Anwar Kamal Pasha, stars: Seema-Sudhir-Sabiha).
The film 'Gum naam' is a parable about a mentally retarded girl, (smartly dubbed by Sabiha) is a pleasure to watch.
Further, the interesting story of 'Gum naam' actually carries the film through to the end.
The high profile reputation which Sabiha achieved in the 1950s and 1960s as an actress has only increased.
Sabiha played the role of 'Nooran' in the romantic Punjabi film, directed by M.S. Daar. Sabiha's character in the film 'Dula Bhatti' is, indeed, an achievement of a lifetime.
Sabiha was cast opposite all renowned actors of her time. However, she will be remembered most for her films with Santosh Kumar.
Along the way, she found the love of her life-Santosh Kumar.
Once married, they had a great future together.
Movie-goers were treated to a succession of films about popular romance like the film 'Wada' (Sabiha-Santosh).
The film 'Wada' was followed by another spate of magnificent movies, which provided countless hours of pleasure to millions of people:
'Paas baan', 'Sheikh chilli', 'Aas paas', 'Sassi', 'Sohni', 'Choti Begum', 'Daata', 'Hatim', 'Aaj kal', 'Dil mein tu', 'Ayaz', 'Mehfil', 'Pervaaz', 'Tufaan', and 'Pholay Khan'.
The push to reach the zenith did fire her imagination since her earlier days.
Her genius in succeeding was largely one of character-patience, self-discipline, rationality and inner resolve.
Moreover, her independence of mind and ability to focus on her work also served her well.
Sabiha's achievement along with Santosh Kumar in the following films is still a worthy yardstick:
'Saat lakh', 'Darbar', 'Sardar', 'Saltanat', 'Mukhra', 'Muskurahat', 'Rishta', 'Hasrat', 'Ishrat', 'Shikwa', 'Teray baghair', 'Mauseeqar', 'Dulhan', 'Kaneez', 'Dewar bhabi', 'Shaam Dhalay', 'Shahen Shah Jehangir', 'Pak Daman', 'Anjuman', 'Sarfarosh', 'Inteqaam', 'Qatil', 'Sawaal', 'Commander', and 'Mohabbat'.
Her unparalleled performance in innumerable movies are classic characterizations which viewers watch with glee to this day.
Sabiha's role in the film 'Anjuman' was not only unique for her, but a real life test of integrity, as well.
Confidence in one's own judgment, she realized early on, is what matters most.
She won the hearts of her fans with her role in the following films:
Director Hasan Tariq's films 'Tehzeeb' and 'Ik gunah aur sahi'.
Director Zia Sarhadi's film 'Raha guzar'.
Director Zahoor Raja's film 'Deewana'.
Director Jameel Akhtar's film 'Aik Raat'.
Sabiha, the first lady of the Pakistani silver screen, won the pride of performance award from the government of Pakistan, and her face was lit by a smile.
Her look is simple-and it is simply everywhere.
To talk of Sabiha in the twenty first century is to perceive the style and the substance of a graceful lady who defined two generations.
Sabiha's four decades of meritorious work in the Pakistani cinema brought her numerous laurels from virtually everywhere.
Her bright smile speaks for her in many ways.
Sabiha also appeared in drama serials from Karachi and Lahore television stations.
She depicts the wit and homespun wisdom of ordinary Pakistanis.
Her brand of patriotism and her down-home style had wide appeal.
The following two national songs recorded in Sabiha's voice, sparked patriotism, renewed inspiration and symbolized in today's terms the Pakistani dream of human achievement -and the unrelenting march toward betterment:
Sohni dharti Allah rakhay qadam qadam Aabad tujhay.
Jug jug jeeye mera pyara watan lub pay dua hai dil mein lagun.
In Anwar Maqsood's stage show, 'Silver Jubilee', she rendered the following song from the film 'Mauseeqar':
'Yaad karoon tujhay sham saweray'.
As the final lyrics faded away that evening, the audience stood, applauding insistently.
Ironically, most of the people from the 'nostalgic era' are now dead.
But Sabiha's past performances in the films speaks volumes nonetheless.
Sabiha who has been in the public eye for four decades retired and lives with her eldest daughter in U.S.A.
Additionally, Sabiha's son and youngest daughter have also settled in the U.S.A.
Awards
She received the encomiums from her admirers whenever she won the Nigar awards:Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Saat Lakh' in 1957.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Shikwa' in 1963.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Dewar bhabi' in 1967.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best actress for the film 'Aik gunah aur sahi' in 1975.
Sabiha won the special Nigar award for her thirty years of acting career in 1981.
Sabiha won the Nigar award for best supporting actress in director Hasan Tariq's film 'Sungdil' in 1982.
Filmography
- 1950 Beli
- 1950 Do Aansoo
- 1950 Hamari Basti
- 1951 Ghairat
- 1951 Pinjra
- 1953 Barkha
- 1953 Ghulam
- 1953 Sailab
- 1953 Aaghosh
- 1954 Gumnam
- 1954 Raat ki baat
- 1954 Sassi
- 1955 Inteqam
- 1955 Mehfil
- 1955 Qatil
- 1955 Shararay
- 1955 Sohni
- 1955 Toofan
- 1956 Chhoti Begum
- 1956 Dulla Bhatti
- 1956 Hameeda
- 1956 Hatim
- 1956 Sarfarosh
- 1957 Bholey Khan
- 1957 Daata
- 1957 Ishq-e-Laila
- 1957 Pasban
- 1957 Sardar
- 1957 Saat Laakh
- 1957 Waada
- 1957 Aankh ka Nashah
- 1957 Aas Paas
- 1958 Darbar
- 1958 Dil mein too (Urdu)
- 1958 Hasrat
- 1958 Mukhra
- 1958 Sheikh Chilli
- 1959 Muskarahat
- 1959 Naghma-e-Dil
- 1959 Naaji
- 1959 Tere baghair
- 1959 Aaj kall
- 1960 Ayaz
- 1960 Rahguzar
- 1960 Saltanat
- 1960 Sham dhaley
- 1962 Mousiqaar
- 1963 Daaman
- 1963 Rishta
- 1963 Shikwa
- 1964 Deevana
- 1964 Ishrat
- 1965 Kaneez
- 1966 Sawaal
- 1966 Tasveer
- 1967 Devar Bhabi
- 1967 Sitamgar
- 1967 Aag
- 1968 Commander
- 1968 Naheed
- 1968 Shehnshah-e-Jahangir
- 1969 Ladla
- 1969 Maa Beta
- 1969 Pakdaaman
- 1970 Anjuman
- 1970 Matrai Maa
- 1970 Mohabbat rang laye gi
- 1970 Sajna door deya
- 1971 Banda Bashar
- 1971 Bhain Bhara
- 1971 Garhasti
- 1971 Jaltey Sooraj ke neechey
- 1971 TehzeebTehzeeb (1971 film)Tehzeeb, is a Pakistani Urdu film, It was released on November 20, 1971.The makers of this film were asked to change a reference to Egypt because it might prove detrimental to diplomatic relations with that country. While the line Laga hai misr ka bazaar dekho changed to Laga hai husn ka bazaar...
- 1971 Yaar Des Punjab de
- 1972 Ek Raat
- 1972 Mohabbat
- 1972 Sir da sain
- 1972 Aao pyar karen
- 1973 Khawab aur Zindgi
- 1973 Sharabi
- 1974 Deedar
- 1974 Miss Hippy
- 1974 Pyar di nishani
- 1974 Qismat
- 1974 Rangi
- 1974 Sayyo ni mera Mahi
- 1975 Bikhrey Moti (Urdu)
- 1975 Dhan jigra Maa da (Punjabi)
- 1975 Farz te Aulaad (Punjabi)
- 1975 Ik gunah aur sahi (Urdu)
- 1975 Isar (Urdu)
- 1975 Neki badi (Urdu)
- 1975 Pehchan (Urdu)
- 1975 Roshni (Urdu)
- 1975 Watan Iman (Punjabi)
- 1975 Zanjeer (Urdu)
- 1976 Aulad (Urdu)
- 1976 Rastey ka Pathar (Urdu)
- 1976 Wardat (Punjabi)
- 1976 Zubaida (Urdu)
- 1977 Kaloo (Urdu)
- 1977 Mere Hazoor (Urdu)
- 1977 Aag aur Zindgi (Urdu)
- 1978 Abhi to main jawan hun (Urdu)
- 1978 Haidar Ali (Urdu)
- 1978 Shera (Punjabi)
- 1978 Tamashbeen (Punjabi)
- 1979 Do rastey (Urdu)
- 1979 Raja ki aye gi Barat (Urdu)
- 1979 Waday Ki Zanjeer (Urdu)
- 1980 Badmashi band (Punjabi)
- 1980 Rishta (Urdu)
- 1981 Anokha Daaj (Punjabi)
- 1981 Parvah nein (Punjabi)
- 1982 Sangdil (Urdu)
- 1982 Wohti jee (Punjabi)
- 1984 ishq nachawe gali gali (Punjabi)
- 1984 Kamyabi (Urdu)
- 1985 Deewane do (Urdu)
- 1985 Mehak (Urdu)
- 1989 Mohabbat ho to aisi (Urdu)