''Baaji'' is a 1963 Pakistani musical romance film directed by S. Suleman. The film features

Nayyar Sultana Nayyar Sultana (born Tayyaba Bano; 1937 – 27 October 1992), known as ''Malka-i-Jazbaat'' (Queen of Sentiments) and ''Queen of Emotions'', was a Pakistani film actress. She became one of the foremost screen actresses of Lollywood in the 19 ...

in the title role with Darpan,

Zeba Shaheen Bano (born 10 September 1945), known professionally as Zeba (), is a Pakistani former actress. She was one of the top stars of the Pakistani film industry in the 1960s and the early 1970s. She was voted among 25 of the greatest acto ...

Agha Talish Agha Ali Abbas Qizilbash (also known as Agha Talish, ) (13 November 1923 – 19 February 1998) was a Pakistani actor who made his debut in 1947 and was mostly known and recognized in Pakistan for playing character actor or villain roles. Tal ...

and Lehri in pivotal roles. The music of the film's soundtrack was composed by Saleem Iqbal. ''Baaji'' depicts the frustrations of a young widow due to her increasing age. The film didn't perform well at box office but received appreciable reviews, primarily due to Sultana's performance. In 2018, the film was selected to screen at

Lok Virsa Museum Heritage Museum (), also known as Lok Virsa Museum, is a museum administered and managed by Lok Virsa - National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage. It is a museum of history and culture in Islamabad, Pakistan, located on the Shakarparia ...

. It received 5 awards at 1963 Nigar Awards, including Best film.

Plot

Farzana a.k.a. 'Fari' commonly known as Baaji in her circle of friends is a young widow, lives with some of her servants in a

bungalow A bungalow is a small house or cottage that is typically single or one and a half storey, if a smaller upper storey exists it is frequently set in the roof and Roof window, windows that come out from the roof, and may be surrounded by wide ve ...

. Baaji lives a lonely life and has no family members living with her. One day, her cousin Nasir comes to meet her and she discovers that he lives nearby with a friend for his work assignment. Nasir then meets Seemi, daughter of Baaji's servant. They both fall for each other and decide to marry. Nasir returns home to bring his mother to send his proposal of marriage. When Baaji learns of it, he thinks that her mother is coming for her marriage. But when she arrives, she requests her to take Naisr's proposal to Seemi's parents. Baaji is shocked to hear it but controls herself and decides to arrange their marriage. After their marriage is settled, Baaji's health deteriorates and she is admitted to the hospital. In the hospital, one of Baaji's servants Zeenat tells Nasir that he is responsible for Baaji's condition because his friendly and caring behaviour towards her weighs on her. He then decides to call off the marriage and refuses to marry Seemi but agrees later when Baaji insists upon it. In this way, Nasir and Seemi gets married but Baaji dies sitting on the bench in her house's garden.

Cast

as Farzana “Fari”, Baaji * Darpan as Nasir *

as Seemi *

Salma Mumtaz Salma Mumtaz (1926 – 20 January 2012) was a Pakistani film actress, film director and producer. Early life and career Salma Mumtaz was born in Jalandhar, British India in 1926. She moved to Pakistan with her family after independence of Paki ...

as Seemi's mother *

Bibbo Bibbo Bibbowski is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is typically portrayed as a close friend and supporter of Superman. Bibbo Bibbowski first appeared in '' The Adventures of Superman'' #428 (Ma ...

as Naisr's mother * Lehri as Shahid * Naina as Zeenat *

* Zareen Panna * Emmi Minwala * Nazar * Yasmin (cameo appearance) * Ejaz (cameo appearance) *

Noor Jehan Noor Jehan (21 September 192623 December 2000) was a Pakistani playback singer and actress who worked in both British India and later in Pakistan's cinema of Pakistan, cinema. Her career lasted over six decades, during which she recorded 10,00 ...

(cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori") *

Habib Habib (; ; also romanized as Habeeb) is an Arabic masculine given name, occasional surname, and honorific, with the meaning "beloved" or "my love", or "darling". It also forms the famous Arabic word ''"Habibi"'' which is used to refer to a friend ...

(cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori") *

Sabiha Khanum Sabiha Khanum (; born Mukhtar Begum; 16 October 1935 – 13 June 2020), was a Pakistani film actress. She is also known as the "First Lady of Pakistani Cinema", and is often recognized for her role in Pakistani cinema during the 1950s and 1960s ...

(cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori") * Santosh Kumar (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori") *

Waheed Murad Waheed Murad (; 2 October 1938 – 23 November 1983), also known as Chocolate Hero, was a Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer. Famous for his charming expressions, attractive personality, tender voice and unusual talent for acting, ...

(cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori") *

Sultan Rahi Sultan Rahi (; June 24, 1938 – January 9, 1996) was a Pakistani actor, producer and screenwriter. He established himself as one of the leading and most successful actors of Pakistani and Punjabi cinema, and received a reputation as Pakistan' ...

(cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")

Soundtrack

All lyrics of the songs were written by

Ahmad Rahi Ahmad Rahi (12 November 1923 – 2 September 2002) was a Punjabi people, Punjabi poet and writer from Pakistan. Early life He was born 12 November 1923 in Amritsar, British India. His real name was Ghulam Ahmad, a name given by his spiritual ...

while music was composed by Saleem Iqbal. The film features a classical number ''Sajjan Lagi Tori Lagan Mun Maa'' by

and

Farida Khanum Farida Khanum (Urdu: ) is a Pakistani classical singer. She is also known by her honorific title ''Malika-e-Ghazal'' (The Queen of Ghazal) in both Pakistan and India and is widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the ghazal genre ...

, on which classical dance was performed by Zareen Panna and Emi Menuwala. Indian

tabla A ''tabla'' is a pair of hand drums from the Indian subcontinent. Since the 18th century, it has been the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music, where it may be played solo, as an accompaniment with other instruments a ...

player Usataad Allah Rakha provide the rhythmic support to the dance and song. The song also features a number of cameos including, Noor Jehan,

, Santosh Kumar, Ejaz, Yasmin,

, Nazar and

Track listing

* ''Dil Ke Afsanay, Nigahon Ki Zuban Tak Pohanche'' sung by

* ''Chanda Tori Chandani Mein'' sung by Naseem Begum * ''Sanwariya, Ne Haye Diya Bara Dukh Denu'' by Naseem Begum * ''Ab Yahan Koi Nahi, Koi Nahi Aaye Ga'' sung by Noor Jehan * ''Saaf Chhuptay Bhi Nahi, Samnay Aate Bhi Nahi'' by Saleem Raza * ''Sajjan Lagi Tori Lagan Mun Maa'' sung by Noor Jehan and

* ''Aa, Aa, Aa, Kon Kut Bhei Laaj Mohay Aye'' by

Salamat Ali Khan Salamat Ali Khan (12 December 1934 11 July 2001) was a Pakistani vocalist and touring artist known for his contribution to the Hindustani classical music. Widely regarded as one of the greatest classical singers of the Indian subcontinent, ...

and Nazakat Ali Khan

Reception

Critical reception

While praising the Sultana's performance, '' The Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan'' wrote, "Nayyar was, however, at her best in Baaji. Playing the role of a love - starved woman, whose exterior conceals her frustrations and unfulfilled desires, Nayyar lent grace and dignity to the character assigned to her." In a review by ''

Herald A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is commonly applied more broadly to all officers of arms. Heralds were originally messengers sent by monarchs or noblemen ...

'', the reviewer stated her performance as the strongest element of the film. The journal also praised the dialogues, and stated the film as the best of Suleman's career. The ''Outlook'' reviewing the film miscellaneously stating, "Likewise, half of ‘𝘉𝘢𝘢𝘫𝘪’ is devoted to getting it to us that the ‘𝘉𝘢𝘢𝘫𝘪’ in question—Nayyar again—is pathetically inhumane."

Awards and nominations

Legacy

''Baaji'' topped the critics' poll of "Top Ten Pakistani Films" conducted by

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

in 2002. The film was also selected among the "Top ten films" of the Pakistani cinema by the critic Aijaz Gul, as published in "Asian Film Journeys: Selection from Cinemaya". The film's title was chosen by the director Saqib Malik to name his film ''

Baaji Baaji may refer to: * Baaji (2019 film) ''Baaji'' () is a 2019 Pakistani romantic drama film, directed by Saqib Malik and produced by his Production company Page 33 Films. The film features Meera as Shameera Osman Khalid Butt as Rohail Khan/ Kh ...

''.

References

External links

* {{NigarAwardBestFilm 1963 films Urdu-language Pakistani films 1963 musical films 1960s Urdu-language films 1960s romantic musical films Pakistani romantic musical films Pakistani black-and-white films 1966 musical films Nigar Award winners