Neelo Begum (born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes; ''
née
The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...
'' Abida Riaz; 30 June 1940 – 30 January 2021) was a
Pakistani
Pakistanis (, ) are the citizens and nationals of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the second-largest Muslim population as of 2023. As much as ...
veteran film actress. She made her film debut in 1956 with a Hollywood film
''Bhowani Junction''. She was known as ''The Queen of Romance'' and ''The Princess of Romance'' for her portrayal of romantic roles.
She worked in more than 134
Pakistani films including
Urdu
Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
and
Punjabi language
Punjabi, sometimes spelled Panjabi, is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language native to the Punjab region of Pakistan and India. It is one of the most widely spoken native languages in the world, with approximately 150 million native sp ...
films.
Early life
Born into a Catholic family, she adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz after marrying a Pakistani filmmaker, Riaz Shahid in 1965.
Controversies
In 1965, at the peak of her popularity, she was summoned by Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan, then Governor
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
of West Pakistan, to dance on stage for the Shah of Iran during his official visit to Pakistan; but she refused to do it for her own reasons. Harassed and threatened, Neelo faced dire consequences for refusing to obey official orders. She was allegedly gang molested and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor's House and was taken to a hospital instead, where the doctors saved her life.[
News of the incident generated widespread public backlash against the Nawab. The renowned leftist poet Habib Jalib, on hearing of the incident, expressed his anguish in his poem over her attempted suicide: "Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi...raqs zanjeer pehan ker bhi kya jata hae" (meaning: "unaware art thou yet of the rites of enslavement...dance can be performed even while enchained".) Later this poem was used in the film ''Zarqa'' (1969) with slight changes in the words and ended up becoming a super-hit film song in Pakistan. The film song became much more relevant, effective, and popular because it was picturised on Neelo herself and was based on similar real-life events in Neelo's life. She also won the Best Actress Nigar Award for film ''Zarqa'' (1969). It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and was sung by Mehdi Hassan.][ Film ''Zarqa'' (1969) was produced and directed by Riaz Shahid who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband, Riaz Shahid, produce this film and it became the box office hit film of her career.]
Personal life
Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo was the only Pakistani actress to feature in a major Hollywood film, "Bhowani Junction," starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, which also marked her film debut. She later entered the Pakistani film industry as an extra, worked her way up to second lead roles, and eventually became a leading lady due to her exceptional talent.
"Zarqa" became Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and marked the pinnacle of Neelo's career, being hailed as a milestone in Pakistani cinema.
The couple named their first child Zarqa in honor of the film followed by two sons Sarosh and Armaghan as known as Shaan . Riaz Shahid died from blood cancer in October 1972.[Socialist cinema: Habib Jalib and Riaz Shahid in Neelo's film Zarqa (1969) on Dawn (newspaper)](_blank)
Published 5 November 2014, Retrieved 18 July 2018
Illness and death
She died from blood cancer on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.
Filmography
*1956 '' Bhowani Junction''[
*1956: '' Sabira''][
*1957: '' Anjaam''
*1957: '' Bholey Khan''
*1957: '' Pasban''
*1957: '' Sehti''
*1957: '' Saat Lakh''][
*1957: '' Yakke Wali''
*1957: '' Aankh Ka Nashah''
*1958: '' Akhri Nishan''][
*1958: '' Changez Khan''
*1958: '' Darbar
*1958: '' Jaan-e-Bahaar''
*1958: '' Jatti''
*1958: '' Kachian Kaliyan''
*1958: '' Mumtaz''
*1958: '' Nayi Larki''
*1958: '' Neya Daur''
*1958: '' Sheikh Chilli''
*1958: '' Zehr-e-Ishq''][
*1959: '' Koel''
*1959: '' Lalkaar''
*1959: '' Lukkan Mitti''
*1959: '' Neend''][
*1959: '' Shama''
*1959: '' Shera''
*1959: '' Sola Aanay''
*1959: '' Suchhey Moti''
*1959: '' Nagin''
*1959: '' Saathi''][
*1959: '' Yaar Beli''
*1960: '' Alladin Ka Beta''
*1960: '' Ayaz''
*1960: '' Insaaf''
*1960: '' Khyber Mail''
*1960: '' Manzil''
*1960: '' Neelofar''
*1960: '' Shehzadi''
*1960: '' Street 77''
*1961: '' Bara Bajje''
*1961: '' Do Raste''][
*1971: '' Karishma''
*1974: '' Khatarnak''
*1974: '' Bahisht'' (producer only)
*1975: '' Athra''
*1975: '' Balwant Kaur''
*1975: '' Dhan Jigra Maa Da''
*1975: '' Heera Phumman''
*1975: '' Izzat''
*1975: '' Jailor te Qaidi''
*1975: '' Mera Naa Patey Khan''
*1975: '' Rajjo''
*1975: '' Sir Da Badla''
*1975: '' Sultana Daku''
*1975: '' Watan Iman''
*1976: '' Ayyash''
*1976: '' Gangu Puttar Maa Da''
*1976: '' Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda''
*1976: '' Khaufnaak''
*1976: '' Kil Kil Mera Naa''
*1976: '' Pindiwal''
*1976: '' Wardat''
*1977: '' Aj Diyan Kurrian''
*1977: '' Akhri Goli''
*1977: '' Danka''
*1977: '' Jurm main keeta si''
*1977: '' Malikzada''
*1977: '' Mere Badshah''
*1977: '' Sadqay Teri Mout Tun''
*1977: '' Tera vi jawab nahin''
*1978: '' Chamman Khan''
*1978: '' Gharib da baal''
*1978: '' Ghunda''
*1978: '' Haidar Daler''
*1978: '' Inqalab''
*1978: '' Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil''
*1978: '' Nazrana''
*1978: '' Sharif Shehri''
*1978: '']Tax
A tax is a mandatory financial charge or levy imposed on an individual or legal entity by a governmental organization to support government spending and public expenditures collectively or to regulate and reduce negative externalities. Tax co ...
''
*1979: '' General Bakht Khan''
*1979: '' Mout meri zindagi''
*1979: '' Order''
*1980: '' Chotay Nawab''
*1980: '' Heera Puttar''
*1982: '' Khatra 440''
*1989: '' Barood ki Chhaon''
*1990: '' Bulandi''
*1990: '' Jur'at''
*2013: '' Waar''
Tribute and honour
Actress and model Iqra Aziz held a tribute in her memory on International Women's Day and described her a very fine actress, successful individual, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother. The Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan () (abbreviated as GoP), constitutionally known as the Federal Government, commonly known as the Centre, is the national authority of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a federal republic located in South Asia, con ...
named a street and intersection after her in Lahore
Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
on August 16, 2021.
Awards and recognition
References
External links
*
Filmography of actress Neelo on Complete Index To World Film website Archived
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neelo
1940 births
Actresses in Pashto cinema
2021 deaths
Pakistani film actresses
Nigar Award winners
People from Sargodha District
20th-century Pakistani actresses
Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz
21st-century Pakistani actresses
Pakistani former Christians
Converts to Sunni Islam from Catholicism
Actresses in Urdu cinema
Actresses in Punjabi cinema