Sabiha Khanum

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Sabiha Khanum, Actresses is famous for Acting, Pakistani celebrity. Born on 16 Octmber, 1936

Sabiha Khanum will be remembered as The First Lady of Pakistan Silver Screen. She was the most successful film heroine in the 50s. She was unanimously the best film actress in the film history of Pakistan. She belongs to Gujrat, The City of "Sohni Mehinwal" - a famous romantic story from the past and was introduced in Punjabi film "Beli". She was the heroine of the first ever Urdu silver jubilee film. Do Aansoo in 1950 and had performed in many big films in the 50s and 60s...
Sabiha's mother Balo (Iqbal Begum) was a famous Punjabi stage performer in 30's. She acted in Heer Sial (1937) and in the same film Baby Noor Jehan, Haider Bandi and Eidan (both Noorjahan's sisters) also acted in the film. Other film Sassi Pannu (1938) directed by Daud Chand who directed also Sassi (1954 Sabiha-Sudhir) where the Balo's daugher Sabiha was cast heroine.
Sabiha's father Mohammad Ali Mahiya was producer of Sabiha's famous film Naji (1959).


Sabiha Khanum is a Pakistani 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.

Early Life

Iqbal Begum (Baalu) and Mohammad Ali (Maahia) had a daughter, Mukhtar Begum.

The daughter of promising parents, young Mukhtar already had the self-motivation to move forward in the entertainment world.

A cultural delegation visited a cinema house in Sialkot, Pakistan in 1948.

Mukhtar Begum, who was part of a delegation, strode confidently onto the stage to render this Punjabi song: 'Kith hay ghae yoon pardesia way' The film 'Sassi Punnoo', stars: Baalu, Aslam) The listeners were stunned, then filled the hall with tumultuous applause and excited chatter.

Small wonder: Hardly any child stars in living memory (with the exception of Noor Jehan) sang as well as she did then.

Looking into Mukhtar Begum's innocent eyes, her father was overcome with joy.

Soon Mohammad Ali (Maahia) introduced his daughter, Mukhtar Begum, to a noted stage drama writer-cum- poet, Nafees Khaleeli.

Overwhelmed by her determination, Khaleeli offered her a role in the drama 'Buth shikan'. She enthusiastically accepted the offer.

Additionally, Nafees Khaleeli changed the name of Mukhtar Begum to 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 which was 'Aaghosh' (Director: Murtaza Jilani, stars: Santosh, Sabiha, 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 'Dula Bhatti', directed by M.S. Daar. Sabiha's character in the film 'Dula Bhatti' is, indeed, an achievement of a life time.

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'. Direcor 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

1975 Bikhrey Moti Urdu Shabnam, Mohammad Ali, Nisho, Kaifi, Sabiha, Talish 88 1975 Dhan jigra Maa da Punjabi Neelo, Sudhir, Munawar Zarif, Sabiha 89 1975 Farz te Aulaad Punjabi Naghma, Habib, Sabiha 90 1975 Ik gunah aur sahi Urdu Rani, Mohammad Ali, Shahid, Darpan, Aslam Pervez, Talish, Sabiha 91 1975 Isar Urdu Zeba, Mohammad Ali, Sabiha, Qavi, Lehri, Nazli, Aslam Pervez 92 1975 Neki badi Urdu Nisho, Shahid, Sabiha, Talish 93 1975 Pehchan Urdu Shabnam, Nadeem, Sabiha, Qavi, Nayyar Sultana, Munawar Saeed 94 1975 Roshni Urdu Nisho, Nadeem, Mumtaz, Sabiha, Badar Munir, Qavi 95 1975 Watan Iman Punjabi Neelo, Yousuf Khan, Sabiha 96 1975 Zanjeer Urdu Shabnam, Nadeem, Mustafa Qureshi, Qavi, Sabiha 97 1976 Aulad Urdu Rani, Shahid, Sabiha, Talish 98 1976 Rastey ka Pathar Urdu Nisho, Waheed Murad, Sabiha, Ruhi Bano, Nazli, Qavi, Lehri, Rangeela, Aslam Pervez, Ishrat Chodhary, Saleem Nasir, Zarqa, Lehri, Tamanna, Masood Akhtar, ChunChun, Jaggi, Shahnawaz, Sultan Rahi, Mohammad Ali (Guest) 99 1976 Wardat Punjabi Neelo, Sudhir, Sangeeta, Shahid, Munawar Zarif, Lehri, Sabiha, Asad Bukhari, Aslam Pervez 100 1976 Zubaida Urdu Babra Sharif, Waheed Murad, Nisho, Lehri, Sabiha, Aslam Pervez 101 1977 Kaloo Urdu Rani, Mohammad Ali, Shahid, Kaveeta, Sabiha, Aslam Pervez 102 1977 Mere Hazoor Urdu Shabnam, Shahid, Sabiha 103 1977 Aag aur Zindgi Urdu Mumtaz, Talat Iqbal, Mohammad Ali, Deeba, Talish, Sabiha, Ishrat Chodhary, Mustafa Qureshi 104 1978 Abhi to main jawan hun Urdu Shabnam, Shahid, Sabiha, Nayyar Sultana 105 1978 Haidar Ali Urdu Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Sabiha, Habib, Adeeb, Talish 106 1978 Shera Punjabi Sangeeta, Sultan Rahi, Yousuf Khan, Sabiha, Ilyas Kashimiri, Rangeela, Ali Ejaz, Seema, Nazli 107 1978 Tamashbeen Punjabi Naghma, Habib, Sabiha 108 1979 Do rastey Urdu Mumtaz, Nadeem, Anjuman, Shahid, Shehla Gil, Nanha, Sabiha 109 1979 Raja ki aye gi Barat Urdu Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Sabiha 110 1979 Waday Ki Zanjeer Urdu Anjuman, Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali, Sabiha 111 1980 Badmashi band Punjabi Chakori, Kaifee, Sabiha 112 1980 Rishta Urdu Shabnam, Nadeem, Anjuman, Sabiha, Allauddin 113 1981 Anokha Daaj Punjabi Asiya, Sultan Rahi, Durdana, Sabiha 114 1981 Parvah nein Punjabi Mumtaz, Yousuf Khan, Ali Ejaz, Sabiha 115 1982 Sangdil Urdu Babra Sharif, Nadeem, Bindia, Aslam Pervez, Sabiha 116 1982 Wohti jee Punjabi Mumtaz, Waheed Murad, Musarrat Shaheen, Ali Ejaz, Sabiha 117 1984 ishq nachawe gali gali Punjabi Durdana Rehman, Ayaz, Shahida Minni, Rangeela, Albela, Altaf Khan, Talish, Sabiha

1984 Kamyabi Urdu Shabnam, Nadeem, Master Khurrum, Nanhha, Sabiha

1985 Deewane do Urdu Babra Sharif, Nadeem, Bindia, Talish, Sabiha, Santosh

1985 Mehak Urdu Babra Sharif, Faisal, Sabiha, Zamurrad, Mohammad Ali, Khayyam Sarhadi, Tani

1989 Mohabbat ho to aisi Urdu Zeba, Mohammad Ali, Sheri Malik, Gori, Sabiha, Aslam Pervez, Talish

Sabiha Khanum photos