Zamurrad

Zamurrad
زمرد
Born
Zamurrad Sultana

Other namesPakistani Kamini Kaushal
Sitara
Nazi
Choti Zamurrad
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Dancer
  • Model
Years active1957 – 2016
SpouseShahid (div.)
Children1

Zamurrad Sultana, also known as Zamurrad (Urdu; زمرد) is a Pakistani film actress.[1] Active in Lollywood from 1957 to 2016, she appeared in over 233 Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto films, predominantly in supporting and character roles.[1] She was one of the most popular actresses of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.[2][1] She was also known for her exceptional dance skills and popular item songs, particularly in Punjabi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.[1] She was known as an item girl in Punjabi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.[1]

Early life

Zamurrad Sultana was born in 1946 in Amritsar, British India.[1]She was born into a musical family and received artistic training under the guidance of her parents from a young age.[3][4]Before her film career, she worked as a tawaif in the Shahi Mohallah area of Lahore, later known as Heera Mandi.[5] She received extensive training in classical dance and music from expert teachers, skills that later became a cornerstone of her film performances.[1]

Career

Zamurrad began her acting career in 1957 with the Urdu film Masoom. In 1958, she appeared in Urdu film Hasrat where she played the role of actor Yousaf Khan's sister.[1] Initially, to distinguish herself from another actress with the same name, she was referred to as '"Choti Zamurrad" (Little Zamurrad), while the other was "Bari Zamurrad" (Big Zamurrad).[1]

During her career, Zamurrad used two other screen names such as Sitara and Nazi. Shabab Kiranvi gave her the name Sitara for his film Gulbadan.[1] She gained some recognition under this name for her dance performance to the song "Bajai Yeh Kesi Ben Liya Sikh Cheen Mera Cheen" in the film Sohili (1960).[1]

Then she worked in the Karachi-based film Ham Bhi Jeene Do, director Butt Kasher cast her as a solo heroine and gave her the name "Nazi," publicizing her as "Pakistani Kamini Kaushal.[1]

She appeared in many famous films such as Gulfam (1961), Maa Baap (1967), Saiqa (1968), Naseeb Apna Apna (1970), and Ziddi (1973).[1]

During the 1970s, Zamurrad was regarded as one of the most prominent and popular film actresses of Punjabi cinema in Pakistan.[2] In 1983, she starred in the Urdu film Ek Doje Ke Liye, which initiated a "second era" in her career. She became highly successful as an item song dancer in many Punjabi films during the 1980s.[1] Her item songs were immensely popular in films like Sahibji, Moti Te Dogar, Namak Halal, Ghulami, and Akbar Khan.[1]

Zamurrad appeared in over 150 films, with notable roles in Urdu films like Saheli (1960), Azra (1962), and Badnaam (1966), as well as Punjabi films such as Heer Ranjha (1970) and Ziddi (1973).[1] She received acclaim for her portrayal of Marina a Jewish nomadic dancer in the historical film Al-Hilal (1966) and a negative role in the successful film Banarsi Thug (1973). She also performed popular item songs in Punjabi films during the 1980s. Her final film appearance was in Sajra Piyar in 2016.[1]

Personal life

Zamurrad was married to actor Shahid, but they later divorced.[1] They have one daughter, Rabia Shahid.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Language
1957 Masoom Urdu
1958 Chhoomantar Punjabi
1958 Hasrat Urdu
1960 Saheli Urdu
1961 Gul Bakavli Urdu
1961 Gulfam Urdu
1962 Azra Urdu
1962 Chodhary Punjabi
1962 Mera Kya Qasoor Urdu
1965 Sartaj Urdu
1965 Malangi Punjabi
1966 Kon Kisi Ka Urdu
1966 Badnaam Urdu
1966 Payel Ki Jhankar Urdu
1967 Maa Baap Urdu
1968 Saiqa Urdu
1968 5 Darya Punjabi
1969 Tahadi Izzat Da Sawal A Punjabi
1970 Naseeb Apna Apna Urdu
1970 Heer Ranjha Punjabi[7]
1970 Chann Puttar Punjabi
1971 Night Club Urdu[8]
1971 Ucha Naa Pyar Da Punjabi
1971 Pehlvan Jee In London Punjabi[9]
1971 Tehzeeb Urdu
1972 Zaildar Punjabi
1972 Ishtehari Mulzim Punjabi[10]
1972 Sajjan Beparwah Punjabi
1972 Umrao Jan Ada Urdu
1973 Ziddi Punjabi
1973 Banarsi Thug Punjabi
1976 Licence Punjabi
1983 Sahib Ji Punjabi
1983 Raka Punjabi
1983 Lawaris Punjabi
1983 Rustam Te Khan Punjabi
1983 Gumnam Urdu
1984 Lazawal Urdu
1985 Shehzad Gay Pashto
1985 Jeenay Nahin Dun Gi Urdu
1985 Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein Urdu
1985 Ghulami Punjabi
1985 Jagga Punjabi[11]
1985 Zamin Aasman Urdu
1985 Wadera Punjabi
1986 Qaidi Punjabi
1986 Aakhri Jang Punjabi
1987 Sangal Punjabi
1987 Allah Rakha Punjabi
1987 Nachay Nagin Punjabi
1988 Roti Punjabi[12]
1992 Sher Jang Punjabi
2016 Sajra Pyar Punjabi

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Farid Nehash, Sarfraz. "ماضی کی ہنس مُکھ اداکارہ زمرّد". Daily Jang (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b Women of Pakistan - Leading female artists of Punjabi films. 1975. p. 85.
  3. ^ Fouzia, Saeed (2014). TABOO: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light District. Made for Success. p. 155. ISBN 978-1483007397.
  4. ^ Fouzia, Saeed (2014). TABOO: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light District. Made for Success. pp. 195–197. ISBN 978-1483007397.
  5. ^ "Footprints: When shahi mohallah fell silent". Dawn News. 21 August 2015.
  6. ^ "ایک کے بعد ایک شادیاں کیں۔۔۔انڈسٹری کے چارمنگ اداکار شاہد کی محبت کی کہانیاں". Humariweb (in Urdu). Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 267. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  8. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 269. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  9. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  10. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 273. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  11. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 312. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  12. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 322. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.