Zeba Bakhtiar: Accepted the challenge!

By Anis Ahmed Shakur

‘Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory’.

The above maxim holds true to the Pakistani show business celebrity, Zeba Bakhtiar.

Zeba Bakhtiar, who is the daughter of the former attorney general of Pakistan, Yahya Bakhtiar, hails from Baluchistan , Pakistan. Her mother is of foreign descent. Like Zeba Bakhtiar, her brother also associated himself with Pakistani television.

Equipped with higher educational grades, distinct family background and human values, Zeba Bakhtiar was attracted to show business as a teenager. The tremendous talent of Zeba Bakhtiar was there, just waiting to be used.

Zeba Bakhtiar debuted from the Karachi television’s play ‘Anarkali’, opposite Mehmood Akhtar. In it, she played the title role of ‘Anarkali’. The drama stirs the heart with its story of a girl in a man’s world. Those were moments for wistful looks and glistening eyes.

Back in the late 1980s, Zeba Bakhtiar was a young Pakistani actress of glistening freshness and uncanny intuition. Any one, whose heart does not embrace this gorgeous, gracious, glamorous girl of the yester year, probably does not have one.

Moreover, she often found, of all things, innovation and honor in the television programs. Soon she became the perennial favorite of Pakistani youth. Zeba Bakhtiar’s debut film ‘Hina’ was made and produced by R.K. films in India. She played the lead opposite Rishi Kapoor. Director, Randhir Kapoor, writer, Haseena Moin.

The moral authority she brought to the role in ‘Hina’, without sacrificing a youthful spontaneity, was astounding. Its characters make surprising connections when it comes to team- work.

Zeba Bakhtiar’s first marriage, which took place before the movie shoot of ‘Hina’ ended in divorce.

She is a clever, charming and intrepid artist, who rules the heart of innumerable people through her personality and her acting. An actress of uncommon grace and intelligence, Zeba Bakhtiar went on to make more movies in India like ‘Stunt man’ and ‘Sajan ka ghar’.

She often finds, among other things, prestige and challenge in the movie business. During those days, there were rumors circulating in the press of Zeba Bakhtiar’s marriage to Indian actor, Javed Jafri. However, Zeba Bakhtiar vehemently denied those allegations as a conspiracy against her.

In her movies and television plays, Zeba Bakhtiar displayed one of the defining sensibilities of the 1990s and beyond. She has captured the imagination of admiring fans since she was a girl.

The rosy radiance that follows a pleasant encounter with Zeba Bakhtiar is laudable. She reached the pinnacle of a remarkable career by following her own instincts.

In times due course, Zeba Bakhtiar moved to Pakistan and married actor- singer- composer, Adnan Sami, son of Aijaz Sami. Ah, the web of love. How these forces feed the flame of life. She had a son, Azan, from Adnan Sami.

Those were great moments at work, when Zeba Bakhtiar played the lead opposite Adnan Sami in her first Pakistani film ‘Sargam’. Theatrical release was on September 1, 1995. Director, Syed Noor, producer- composer, Adnan Sami.

Additionally, Zeba Bakhtiar’s caricature of lead actress in ‘Sargam’ has won the Nigar Award in her debut Pakistani movie. She seems destined to add more laurels to her celluloid persona. Indeed, she gives a brilliantly restrained performance in ‘Sargam’.

Zeba Bakhtiar’s marriage to Adnan Sami could not stood the test of time, and it resulted in their separation. That occurred after the theatrical release of ‘Sargam’, and Adnan Sami went abroad with his son, Azan.

After a long child custody battle, Zeba Bakhtiar succeeded in getting her son back. Those days Zeba Bakhtiar fielded inquiries about her relationship with Adnan and Azan, and in doing so proved that her heart was loyal.

Zeba Bakhtiar’s greatness shines through in director Sangeeta’s successful film ‘Qaid’ in which she played the lead lady opposite actor Saud. Alternating between television and films, she frequently was cast in major television roles.

She was most memorably cast in writer Rauf Khalid’s drama serial ‘Laag’, which was telecast from Pakistani television. An artist of unusual prowess and grace, Zeba Bakhtiar turned in one of her best performances as leader of Kashmiri independence movement, ‘Dukhtaran-e-Kashmir’ in ‘Laag.’

The drama serial ‘Laag’ made the public realize the deep resonance of her work. A part of her charm derives from the apparent fact that she is working and having fun at the same time.

Zeba Bakhtiar is, indeed, a loveable woman whose hatred of hypocrisy is legendary. She worked in the heartfelt and handsomely made movie, ‘Chief Sahib’ in 1996. In dramatic roles, the movie cast moves effortlessly from one scene to another. Producer- director, Javed Sheikh, stars included Zeba Bakhtiar, Javed Sheikh and Neeli.

Zeba Bakhtiar shone in her directional debut movie ‘Babu’ in 2001. Its story revolves around love, lust, and the well- known adage ‘give respect get respect’ starring Zeba Bakhtiar, dubbed as ‘Ghazal’, Saud Amin, Lehri, Peer Moazzam.

She brings a new level of intensity to her acting in the Pakistan television drama serial ‘Pehli see mohabbat’. Writer, Rafaqat Hayat, director, Najam-Uz- Zaman, executive producer, Ghazanfar Ali. ‘Pehli see mohabbat’ is the Urdu version of the English novel ‘Beware of pity.’ Cast included Zeba Bakhtiar, dubbed as ‘Sofia’ Shahood Alvi, and Shakeel. It is a story of a pretty handicapped girl.

Zeba Bakhtiar’s keenly articulate movie grammar and a tender grasp of human nature have maintained uniformity all through these times. Further, her artistry is worth applauding in television drama ‘Sangam’ Cast includes Zeba Bakhtiar as ‘Farah’, Talat Husain, Qazi Wajid. Written by Zahida Hina, director, Nasir Danawala.

Best known for her splendid direction capability, Zeba Bakhtiar attained major celebrity as an artist also in drama ‘Kundi’. Cast included Zeba Bakhtiar, Firdous Jamal.

She is the source of quite a few exemplary television plays. That said Zeba Bakhtiar’s resplendent career moved on fulfilling her initial promise of consistent hard work.

A quick example is the television drama ‘Kisay apna kahoon’ cast included Zeba Bakhtiar, Noman Aijaz and Talat Husain. Additionally, she emerged as a convincing artist in the television drama ‘Gunah gaar’. Cast included Zeba Bakhtiar, Izhar Qazi and Tahira Wasti.

Overwhelmed by her artistic prowess, the audience always gives her an enthusiastic response, which Zeba Bakhtiar well deserves. In spite of her enormous talents as director, Zeba Bakhtiar still possesses a face made for acting.

Best of all, Zeba Bakhtiar is an artist of hope.

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