Teray sheher ki galyaan choroon kaisay

Dil yahan, rooh yahan, jaan yahan.

Pakistani show business is rich with tales of legendary artists who risked all to chase their dreams. Their vision and perseverance won them success. Here is a true-life story of one such actor, the great Waheed Murad.

‘The brain is wider than the sky.’ Said Emily Dickinson. Let us explore how the great Waheed Murad used his intelligence to come up with the greatest movies of all time.

Waheed Murad was born with a silver spoon in his mouth on Wednesday, October 2, 1938, in Karachi. He was the only child of Nisar Murad and Shireen Murad.

Nisar Murad used to be a reputed film distributor in his time. Waheed Murad, who is popularly known as Veedu, passed his matriculation examination in 1954 from the Marie Colaco School, Karachi. He received his bachelor’s degree from S.M. College and master’s degree in English literature from Karachi University in 1963.

Waheed Murad stepped into Pakistani cinema as a filmmaker. His first film as producer was ‘Insaan badalta hai’, in 1961. His second production was ‘Jab say dekha hai tumhain’, in 1963.

Noticed by visionary film director, S.M. Yusuf, Waheed Murad was offered a secondary role in the film ‘Aulad’.

Hence, Waheed Murad debuted as an actor in the film ‘Aulad’, in 1962, in which he played the screen son of Habib and Nayyar Sultana.

He was always ambitious and motivated, and he passed on his optimism and faith to his colleagues. He incorporated the essentials of the movie business rapidly.

Waheed Murad played a side role in ‘Daman’ in 1963.

He learned some thing new every day and shared his thoughts with his co-workers. ‘Now that the Pakistani public is acquainted with me I will endeavor to work even harder.’ Waheed Murad said modestly in the early 1960s.

‘Heera aur pathar’, golden jubilee, was his first film as lead actor, in 1964, which established Waheed Murad as hero and put him on the road to lasting fame.

Waheed Murad was married to Salma on Thursday, September 17, 1964, in Karachi. His daughter, Sadia, died in infancy, and both Waheed Murad and Salma were inconsolable. However, their two children, Aalia and Adil brought happiness and comfort to their lives.

Waheed Murad’s romantic-tragic characters created Pakistani cinema’s most enduring and beloved personas.

Essentially, Waheed Murad’s movies are the essence of his creative spirit, the vital force of the human heart. Also, partly it was the sheer novelty of him. Waheed Murad was an actor who stood out in 1964.

His role came precariously close to reality in the film ‘Doctor’, in 1964. Waheed Murad was very fond of reading English novels and his favorite poet was Keats.

His hobbies included playing cricket, listening to music and photography. Renowned Egyptian singer, Umme-e- Kulthum, was his favorite singer.

Reverting to the show business, movies like ‘Eid Mubarak’, 1965 and ‘Kaneez’, 1965, are still fresh in the minds of moviegoers. They have stories to tell.

For the sake of record, Waheed Murad and Zeba paired off in seventeen movies.

Waheed Murad and Shabnam teamed off in thirteen movies.

Waheed Murad and Rani worked together in twenty movies.

Waheed Murad and Shamim Ara appeared together in twelve movies.

Waheed Murad and Deeba acted together in thirteen movies.

‘Armaan’ is the most popular film of Waheed Murad and Zeba, which also happens to be the first platinum jubilee film of Pakistan.

In fact, Waheed Murad captured the high spirits of one of the country’s most- loved songs, while picturing  ‘Akele na jana’ on him and Zeba. He was absolutely, unequivocally as successful as an actor could be in the Pakistani movies.

Of all the artists we have seen, none hold a place in our hearts like Waheed Murad. He has achieved almost reverential status and rightly so.

His role of a dedicated doctor in ‘Insaniyat’, 1967, golden jubilee, was remarkable enough to attract a huge crowd to the cinema halls. Perhaps, Waheed Murad was never closer to perfection as he was in ‘Insaniyat.’

At this point, dear reader, let me concede one truth regarding Waheed Murad: He loved to drive very fast. He mostly drove a Mercedes and a Volk’s wagon

One feels nostalgic as one encompasses all those shared moments about Waheed Murad, like the films ‘Jaag utha insaan’, 1966, golden jubilee, and ‘Dewar bhabhi’, 1967, golden jubilee.

Dwelling on his personal life, Waheed Murad’s mother tongue was Punjabi. His height was five feet, eleven inches and his weight was one hundred fifty eight pounds, when he was in good health. He addressed his wife, Salma, as ‘Bibi’ at home.

In his twenty- three- year movie career, 1960- 1983, Waheed Murad worked in one hundred twenty three movies.

Movie buffs definitely enjoyed watching movies like ‘Ehsaan’, 1967, silver jubilee, ‘Rishta hai pyar ka’, 1967, silver jubilee and ‘Doraha’, 1967, silver jubilee.

The magnificence of his acting led to one success after another. Where- ever Waheed Murad went, the limelight flooded him.

Waheed Murad, whose life had been a long, exciting trip in the real world, was a graceful man with the smarts to succeed. Such is the greatness of that irreplaceable super performer.

Successive movies continued to garner popularity. One may recall many movies to exemplify this point. Below are two examples:

‘Phir subha ho gee.’ 1967, golden jubilee.

‘Samandar’, 1968, silver jubilee.

Equally impressive was the film ‘Dil mera dharkan teri’, 1968, golden jubilee. With his national renown at an all- time peak, Waheed Murad worked in ‘Jahan tum wahan hum’, 1968, silver jubilee.

Waheed Murad’s caricature of an obedient son in ‘Maan beta’, 1969, silver jubilee, made him a great movie hero to exultant countrymen. In one scene in ‘Maan beta’, Waheed Murad cries bitterly. Those were genuine tears welling up in his eyes during one of his greatest performances.

In terms of emotion and prowess, there was no equal to the talents of Waheed Murad. Truly was Waheed Murad a charismatic actor.

Just think of the spell he cast through movies like ‘Saalgira’, 1969, golden jubilee. In reality, he came to the Pakistani film industry with the essence of acting and production. Most of all, with his impeccable Urdu diction.

Additionally, his unparalleled style in the then Pakistan’s vibrant cinema appealed to the masses. In the words of  Ilyas Rashdi, founder of Nigar Awards, ‘Waheed Murad was a born hero.’

In the long list of mega hits are films like ‘Andaleeb’, 1969, golden jubilee.

His hairstyle became one of his great personal strength. Basically, it was the profound faith of cine- goers in Waheed Murad’s ability that kept him going.

Moreover, a seemingly endless procession of releases appeared in the years to follow. He had emerged as a hugely powerful actor in ‘Ik nagina’, 1969, silver jubilee. He worked in ‘Afsana’, 1970, silver jubilee, in the spirit of those days gone by.

He made a splash in the film ‘Phir chand niklay ga’, 1970, silver jubilee, and a role in the film ‘Naseeb apna apna’, 1970, silver jubilee, took him even farther.

He learned from life then moved on. Furthermore, he showed a watchful intelligence, which struck chord in cine- goers that still resonates as one recalls his movie ‘Anjuman, 1970, platinum jubilee. In one scene in ‘Ajuman’, Waheed Murad drank to drown his sadness. No other actor could have done it the way he did that part.

Most of all, the vibrancy of Waheed Murad’s profound presentation is all the more evident in the 1971, golden jubilee film ‘Neend hamari khwab tumharay.’

Waheed Murad, the great, glittering star on the horizon of movies delivered dialogues with inspiring conviction. It stirred the movie lovers like nothing else. That made him a very special person.

The 1971, silver jubilee film, ‘Afshan’, is an example of Waheed Murad’s effective presentation.

A yardstick does not measure great artists. It is all the more true to Waheed Murad, who remained peerless throughout his life. Making film after hilarious film, Waheed Murad became the most enchanting star of the Pakistani public.

 ‘Mastana mahi’, 1971, golden jubilee, is a classic movie to be enjoyed for generations.

He was very—almost insanely—passionate about picturing songs on himself. His genius for song picturing earned him the title of  ‘King of song picturing.’ Such an uncommon dazzle was a rarity then.

No statistics could measure the fame he achieved as an actor. The scent of his memory never leaves its presence.

There had never been an actor like Waheed Murad and there never will be.

Waheed Murad’s myriad of fans take pleasure in the fact that he never let them down. The film ‘Khalish’, 1972, golden jubilee, is a case in point. His very attractive voice and great looks made him the super star.

He maintained his national reputation and his popularity skyrocketed and extended beyond his life. To an extent, where a street was named as Waheed Murad Road in Karachi.

Waheed Murad’s favorite Pakistani city was Karachi, where he was born and died. His favorite foreign country was Japan. His favorite color was blue, and his favorite foods were fish, shrimp and rice.

He continued to challenge himself in his later films, such as in ‘Daulat aur duniya’, 1972, golden jubilee, and ‘Bandagi’, 1972, silver jubilee.

Waheed Murad left behind an enormous and varied legacy of great performances, like the 1972, golden jubilee film ‘Baharo phool barsao.’

Additionally, he scored big at the cinema with the theatrical release of ‘Ishq mera naa’, 1974, platinum jubilee.

His adoring admirers are proud of the fact that Waheed Murad never badmouthed any body and he kept his distance from hypocrites.

Thus, to his loyal fans, Waheed Murad personified the most ideal actor. His adorers stockpile his memories like firewood, to relight the blaze of their devotion to him.

Moreover, Waheed Murad is still remembered for his role in the film ‘Tum salamat raho’, 1974, golden jubilee.

He let the performance speak, and he felt good with that. A quick example is ‘Phool meray gulshan ka’, 1974, golden jubilee.

He made a series of outstanding movies like ‘Dushman’, 1974, golden jubilee.

In order to exhibit good performance, Waheed Murad kept himself utterly committed, willing and trusting to his character. He gave the film below an audience appeal that is worth praising:

‘Shama’, 1974, golden jubilee.

He increasingly found opportunities to show his dramatic abilities, notably in the film ‘Jogi’, 1975, golden jubilee.

His stories and images continue to keep his memories fresh. Particularly when one thinks of the 1975, golden jubilee movie, ‘Mohabbat zindigi hai.’

As the topmost artist, Waheed Murad took tremendous interest in his profession. The public applauded his ability to improvise.

Besides, his looks scored with the show business people and the audience alike.

The three movies below accorded Waheed Murad instant fame, which he well deserved:

‘Surat aur seerat’, 1975, golden jubilee.

‘Jab jab phool khilay’, 1975, golden jubilee.

‘Shabana’, 1976, diamond jubilee.

If you are a long time adorer of Waheed Murad, then you must have observed that he could inflame any audience through his highly refined acting.

Heartthrob of millions of moviegoers, Waheed Murad’s fame knew no bounds soon after the theatrical release of the three movies below:

‘Saheli’, 1978, golden jubilee.

‘Parakh’, 1978, golden jubilee.

‘Khuda aur mohabbat’, 1978, golden jubilee.

Acting had been the most pleasing occupation of this chocolate hero’s life and the most congenial to his temperament as well.

Also, Waheed Murad’s focused determination took him where he wanted to go – to the top in the Pakistani movie industry.

As usual, the utmost admiration of his loyal fans was commendable immediately after the release of the three movies below:

‘Aawaz’, 1978, platinum jubilee.

‘Behan bhai’, 1979, golden jubilee.

‘Aurat raaj’, 1979, golden jubilee.

The unrequited love and total admiration which innumerable adorers lavished on Waheed Murad made him the Pakistani Elvis Presley.

His fans can’t say enough good things about the actor who gave so much of himself to the public.

Memories of ones childhood floods back as one listens to the familiar mega hit songs pictured on the great Waheed Murad.

Recall the enormous impact he made with his role in the film ‘Pyari’, 1980, golden jubilee.

In mainstream movie arena, and even more so, in popular entertainment, Waheed Murad came out number one. Intelligent, charming and driven—he had an extraordinary gift of performance.

Excellence of his huge acting potential was evident in the film ‘Kala dhanda goray loag’, 1981, golden jubilee.

Waheed Murad owed much of his optimism, tenacity and admirable thought to his loving parents and his beloved wife, Salma.

Waheed Murad, who became a time, honored insignia of success brought respect and credibility to the Pakistani movies through his unique acting and vast knowledge of filmmaking.

His dedication was absolute on the movie shoot of ‘Kiran aur kali’, 1981, golden jubilee.

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but also to reveal to him his own riches.. This is precisely what Waheed Murad did in his fabulous movie career. He introduced talented young people like Sohail Rana and Badar Muneer to Pakistani show business. Such people reaped enormous fame in times due course.

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1964 for best actor in ‘Heera aur pathar’.

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1966 for best actor in ‘Armaan.’

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1969 for best actor in ‘Andaleeb.’

Waheed Murad earned the Nigar Award in 1971 for best actor in ‘Mastana mahi.’

The matinee idol, Waheed Murad, whose movies provide countless hours of pleasure to millions of moviegoers left for his final journey on November 23, 1983. He was forty- five years of age.

Hearts heavy, his admirers lamented his death. His last film was ‘Hero’, which was released after his death.

The intensity of response to the passing of the great Waheed Murad, an extremely likeable actor, seemed to surprise even his fans.

Memories of the blissful moments which public enjoyed with him come crowding over them, especially on his death anniversary.

Hopefully, Waheed Murad’s lovely and romantic remainders of bygone days will be allowed to survive.

Kuchh saathi chutay chutay say kuchh rishtay tutay tutay say

Kuchh bigri bigri taswerain kuchh naqsh ye hairaan hairaan say

Kuchh aks ye larzaan larzaan say kuchh itnay dhundlay saaye hain

Kuchh moti dhalkay dhalkay say kuchh Aansu chalkay chalkay say

Soon after his death, it occurred to every one who ever knew him that in dying, Waheed Murad had taught others how to live.