Sabiha Khanum

Sabiha Khanum (Urdu: صبیحہ خانم‎; born Mukhtar Begum; 16 October 1935 – 13 June 2020), was a Pakistani film actress. She is also referred to as the "First Lady of Pakistani Cinema", and is often recognized for her role in Pakistani cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. The receipent of the Pride of Performance and Nigar Awards, she debuted in Lollywood films with Beli (1950),[1] and also appeared in television dramas.[2]

Sabiha Khanum
Sabiha Khanum
Born
Mukhtar Begum

16 October 1935
Gujrat, Punjab, British India
Died13 June 2020(2020-06-13) (aged 84)
Virginia, United States
Years active1950–1992
Spouse(s)Santosh Kumar
ChildrenSyed Ahsan Raza, Fareeha Shaharyar and Afia Chaudhry
Parent(s)Muhammad Ali (Maahia) & Iqbal Begum (Baalo)
AwardsPride of Performance Award in 1986
6 Nigar Awards

Some of her notable films include Do Ansoo (1950), Sassi (1954), Gumnaam (1954), Dulla Bhatti (1956), Sarfarosh (1956), Mukhra (1958), and Devar Bhabhi (1967).[3]

She appeared mostly in Santosh Kumar's films playing protagonist roles opposite to her throughout the career.[4] Sabiha and Santosh are sometimes known for their on-screen chemistry they shared and built following the 1950s and 60s films, in particular after they worked in Qatil (1955) film.[5]

Early life

Sabiha Khanum was born Mukhtar Begum in a village near Gujrat in Punjab, British India, to Mohammad Ali (Maahia) and Iqbal Begum (Baalo).[2] She was raised in a conservative rural environment by her grandparents, but got her first acting opportunity on stage in Lahore, after moving there to be with her father.

A cultural delegation visited a cinema house in Sialkot, Pakistan in 1948. Mukhtar Begum (then a young girl in 1948), who was part of the delegation, sang the Punjabi song "Kithhay gae yoon pardesia way" from the film Sassi Punnoon (which starred Baalu and Aslam). Her performance was praised, and soon Mohammad Ali introduced his daughter to a stage drama writer and poet, Nafees Khaleeli. Noting her determination, Khaleeli offered her a role in the drama Buut Shikan, which she accepted. Nafees Khaleeli gave her the screen name of Sabiha Khanum.

Career

On Nafees Khaleeli's request, the film director Masood Pervez offered her a role in the film Beli (1950), giving Sabiha her debut as a film actress in 1950. Beli was also the first film of Masood Pervez as a director. The film, with the Partition of India as backdrop, did not do well at the box office.

Next Sabiha played the role of 'Noori' in famous director/producer Anwar Kamal Pasha's Do Ansoo (1950), starring Santosh Kumar, Gulshan Ara and Sabiha.[2] It was the first film to celebrate a Silver Jubilee in the new film industry of Pakistan. The film was based on an earlier Noor Jehan's hit Bhai Jaan (1945) and looks at how a man inadvertently ruins the lives of his wife and daughter. In fact, such was the impact of the film that it was re-made twice subsequently in Pakistan, as Dillan day Souday (1969) in Punjabi and Anjuman in Urdu.[1]

Sabiha gained some more recognition in her next movie Aaghosh, directed by Murtaza Jilani, starring Santosh, Sabiha, and Gulshan Ara. Her role, in the film 'Ghulam', released in 1953, directed by Anwar Kamal Pasha, with Santosh was also well received. Film directors admired her ability to improvise because she was talented and ambitious.

Her role in the film Gumnaam (1954) was also appreciated by the movie-goers. The movie was directed by Anwar Kamal Pasha, starring Seema, Sudhir and Sabiha Khanum. This film is a story about a mentally retarded girl, played by Sabiha, and is a pleasure to watch. She played the role of 'Nooran' in the romantic Punjabi film, Dulla Bhatti (1956) directed by M.S. Daar and this movie celebrated its Golden Jubilee at the Pakistani cinemas.

Movie-goers were treated to a succession of films about popular romance like the film Waada (1957) starring Sabiha and Santosh. This film was followed by another spate of magnificent movies, which provided countless hours of pleasure for millions of their fans. Sheikh Chilli (1958), Aas Paas (1957), Sassi (1954), Sohni (1955), Choti Begum (1956), Daata (1957), Hatim (1956), Saat Laakh (1957), Dil Mein Tu (1958), Ayaz (1960), Mehfil (1955) , Pervaaz (1954), Toofan (1955) and Ishq-e-Laila (1957) are some names to mention.

Sassi (1954) was based on the well-known tragic love story of Sassui Punnhun and went on to become the first Golden Jubilee film of Pakistan.[2][6]

Sabiha's achievement along with Santosh Kumar in the following films is still noteworthy ; Mukhra (1958), Muskurahat (1959), Rishta (1963), Hasrat (1958), Ishrat, Shikwa (1963), Teray Baghair (1959), Mauseeqar (1962), Dulhan, Kaneez (1965 film), Dewar Bhabi (1967), Shaam Dhalay (1960), Pak Daman (1969), Anjuman (1970), Sarfarosh (1956), Inteqaam (1955), Qatil (1955), Sawaal (1966), Commander (1968), and Mohabbat (1972). Her role in the film Anjuman (1970 film) was very well-liked, as were director Hasan Tariq's films Tehzeeb (1971) and Ik Gunah Aur Sahi (1975), director Zia Sarhadi's film Rah Guzar (1960), director Zahoor Raja's film Deewana (1964) and director Jameel Akhtar's film Aik Raat.[2]

Altogether, Sabiha starred in 202 movies and mainly in Urdu language.[7] She was awarded 5 Nigar Award and Pride of Performance Award on her acting career.

Sabiha ventured into television serials in 1980s. The most notables are Dasht and Ehsaas.

She also sang two patriotic songs

  • 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 in 1982, she rendered the song Yaad karoon tujhay shaam saweray from the film Mauseeqar (1962). As the final lyrics faded away that evening, the audience stood up and applauded.

Sabiha Khanum, who had been in the public eye for four decades, finally retired, and lived with her eldest daughter in the United States. Her other children also settled there.

Personal life

Sabiha married co-star Santosh Kumar on 1 October 1958.

Santosh was already a married man with children. The two, after initial opposition from Sabiha’s father, married during the making of Hasrat (1958).[1] They starred together in 47 movies and played as a couple in the majority of them.[7] They had three children together.

Death

She lived with her daughter in Leesburg, Virginia until her death on 13 June 2020 at the age of 84.[8][9]

Awards

Sabiha Khanum has won several Nigar awards during her lifetime:

Filmography
  • 1950 Beli (her debut film)[2]
  • 1950 Do Ansoo (first Silver jubilee film of Pakistan)[2]
  • 1950 Hamari basti
  • 1951 Ghairat
  • 1951 Pinjra
  • 1953 Barkha
  • 1953 Ghulam
  • 1953 Sailab
  • 1953 Aaghosh
  • 1954 Gumnaam (played a mentally retarded girl role)[2]
  • 1954 Raat ki baat
  • 1954 Sassi (first Golden jubilee film of Pakistan)[2][6]
  • 1955 Inteqam
  • 1955 Mehfil
  • 1955 Qatil
  • 1955 Shararay
  • 1955 Sohni
  • 1955 Toofan
  • 1956 Chhoti Begum
  • 1956 Dulla Bhatti [2]
  • 1956 Hameeda
  • 1956 Hatim
  • 1956 Sarfarosh [2]
  • 1957 Bholey Khan
  • 1957 Daata
  • 1957 Ishq-e-Laila
  • 1957 Pasban
  • 1957 Sardar
  • 1957 Saat Laakh [2]
  • 1957 Waada [2]
  • 1957 Aankh ka Nasha
  • 1957 Aas Paas [2]
  • 1958 Darbar
  • 1958 Dil Mein Tuu (Urdu)
  • 1958 Hasrat [2]
  • 1958 Mukhra[2][14]
  • 1958 Sheikh Chilli [2][6]
  • 1959 Muskarahat
  • 1959 Naghma-e-Dil
  • 1959 Naaji
  • 1959 Tere Baghair
  • 1959 Aaj Kal
  • 1960 Ayaz
  • 1960 Rahguzar
  • 1960 Saltanat
  • 1960 Sham Dhalay [2]
  • 1962 Mausiqaar [2]
  • 1963 Daaman
  • 1963 Rishta
  • 1963 Shikwa
  • 1964 Deevana
  • 1964 Ishrat
  • 1965 Kaneez (1965 film)
  • 1966 Sawaal
  • 1966 Tasveer
  • 1967 Devar Bhabi [2]
  • 1967 Sitamgar
  • 1967 Aag
  • 1968 Commander
  • 1968 Naheed
  • 1968 Shehnshah-e-Jahangir
  • 1969 Ladla
  • 1969 Maa Beta
  • 1969 Pakdaaman
  • 1970 Anjuman [2]
  • 1970 Matrai Maa
  • 1970 Mohabbat Rang Laaey Gi
  • 1970 Sajna Duur Daya
  • 1971 Banda Bashar
  • 1971 Bhain Bhara
  • 1971 Garhasti
  • 1971 Jaltey Sooraj Ke Neechay
  • 1971 Tehzeeb
  • 1971 Yaar Des Punjab De
  • 1972 Ek Raat
  • 1972 Mohabbat
  • 1972 Sirr Da Saiin
  • 1972 Aao Pyar Karein
  • 1973 Khawab Aur Zindagi
  • 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)[6]
  • 1975 Isar (Urdu)
  • 1975 Neki Badi (Urdu)
  • 1975 Pehchaan (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 Kalu (Urdu)
  • 1977 Mere Hazoor (Urdu)
  • 1977 Aag Aur Zindagi (Urdu)
  • 1978 Abhi Tau Mein Jawan Huun (Urdu)[6]
  • 1978 Haidar Ali (Urdu)
  • 1978 Shera (Punjabi)
  • 1978 Tamashbeen (Punjabi)
  • 1979 Do Raastey (Urdu)
  • 1979 Raja Ki Aaye Gi Barat (Urdu)
  • 1979 Waday Ki Zanjeer (Urdu)
  • 1980 Badmashi Band (Punjabi)
  • 1980 Rishta (Urdu)
  • 1981 Anokha Daaj (Punjabi)[6]
  • 1981 "Chan Suraj" (Punjabi)
  • 1981 Parvah Nahin (Punjabi)
  • 1982 Sangdil (Urdu)
  • 1982 Wohti Jee (Punjabi)
  • 1984 Ishq Nachawey Gali Gali (Punjabi)
  • 1984 Kamyabi (Urdu)
  • 1985 Deewane Do (Urdu)
  • 1985 Mehak (Urdu)
  • 1989 Mohabbat Ho Tau Aisi (Urdu)
  • 1994 Saranga[6]

References
  1. "Sabiha Khanum, the First Lady of Pakistani Cinema, Passes Away". The Wire. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. Sabiha Khanum - Profile on Cineplot.com website Published 27 September 2009, Retrieved 13 May 2020
  3. "اداکارہ صبیحہ خانم انتقال کر گئیں". VOA Urdu.
  4. Agencies (14 June 2020). "Pakistan's legendary film actress Sabiha Khanum passes away". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  5. "ICYMI: Here's the ultimate guide to Sabiha Khanum's best films". Samaa TV. 16 October 1935. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  6. Sabiha Khanum Filmography on Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website Retrieved 13 May 2020
  7. Jafferi, Aqeel Abbas (14 June 2020). "صبیحہ خانم: جو اپنی معصوم اداکاری سے پاکستانی سینما کی خاتون اول بن گئیں". BBC.
  8. "لٹ الجھی سلجھا جا رے بالم: پاکستانی فلموں کا سنہری دور رخصت ہوا". Independent Urdu. 14 June 2020.
  9. "Famed actress Sabiha Khanum passes away". The News International (newspaper), Published 14 June 2020, Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  10. Sabiha Khanum's Nigar Award in 1957 on Cineplot.com website Published 13 May 2010, Retrieved 13 May 2020
  11. Sabiha Khanum's Nigar Award in 1963 on Cineplot.com website Published 13 May 2010, Retrieved 13 May 2020
  12. Sabiha Khanum's Nigar Award in 1967 on Cineplot.com website Published 13 May 2010, Retrieved 13 May 2020
  13. Legendary film actress Sabiha Khanum passes away Geo TV News website, Published 14 June 2020, Retrieved 26 June 2020
  14. Aijaz Gul (9 August 2018). "Mukhra: Old fashioned romance". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 13 May 2020.
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