: ) or Lala Sudhir (25 January 1921 – 19 January 1997) was a Pakistani actor, director and
producer
Producer or producers may refer to:
Occupations
*Producer (agriculture), a farm operator
*A stakeholder of economic production
*Film producer, supervises the making of films
**Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...
. Sudhir was a highly respected film personality.
He is known as the first action hero of Pakistani cinema. His film roles symbolized valour and bravery.
Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...
film named ''Farz'' in 1947 in British India. Afterwards, he migrated to Pakistan. After 1947, he started his career in the Pakistani cinema. His first film was ''Hichkolay'' in 1949. He appeared in the hit musical film ''Dupatta'' in 1952. In 1954, ''Sassi'' was the first ever
Golden Jubilee
A golden jubilee marks a 50th anniversary. It variously is applied to people, events, and nations.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, golden jubilee refers the 50th anniversary year of the separation from Pakistan and is called in Bengali ''"সু ...
. ''Dulla Bhatti'' (1956), ''Mahi Munda'' (1956) and '' Yakke Wali'' (1957) were the highest grossing
Punjabi
Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to Punjab, a region in India and Pakistan
* Punjabi language
* Punjabi people
* Punjabi dialects and languages
Punjabi may also refer to:
* Punjabi (horse), a British Th ...
films of the time. ''Yakke Wali'' (1957) was the first blockbuster
Punjabi
Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to Punjab, a region in India and Pakistan
* Punjabi language
* Punjabi people
* Punjabi dialects and languages
Punjabi may also refer to:
* Punjabi (horse), a British Th ...
film. These two films led to building of large film studios in Pakistan. Sudhir was the hero of action film '' Baghi'' (1956), the first Pakistani film to be shown in China.
He was an "action films hero", but appeared as Hatim Tai in ''Hatim'' (1956), as Prince Saleem in the famous film ''Anarkali'' (1958), as Mirza Jat in the film ''Mirza Sahiban'' (1956), as Mahinwal in the film ''Sohni'' (1955) and as Mirza Ghalib in the film '' Ghalib'' (1961). He acted in the films '' Nooran'' (1957), ''Jhoomar'' (1959) and ''Gul Bakawli'' (1961) etc. He starred in one of the highest grossing Punjabi films '' Kartar Singh'' in 1959. He later appeared in hits such as the film ''
Farangi
Farang ( fa, فرنگ) is a Persian (and Southeast Asian) word that originally referred to the Franks (the major Germanic tribe) and later came to refer to White Europeans in general. The word "Farang" is a cognate and originates from Old F ...
'' (1964) and ''Ajab Khan'' (1961), on the struggle against the
British Raj
The British Raj (; from Hindi language, Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent;
*
* it is also called Crown rule in India,
*
*
*
*
or Direct rule in India,
* Q ...
. His film ''Jeedar'' (1965) was the first to reach a Platinum Jubilee status. ''Maa Puttar'' (1970) was another Punjabi film to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. He once fought a real battle with a tiger in film ''Sahil'' (1960). He appeared as a sidekick with his son in film ''Dushman Ki Talash'' (1978).
Pakistan television
At a very old age, he had a special appearance on PTV and was interviewed by Izhar Bobby., Pakistan Television videoclip on YouTube.
Personal life
Sudhir married four times, twice within his extended family. These two marriages were 'arranged marriages' by his elders, which is commonly practiced in Pakistani culture, then with fellow actress Shammi and finally with Pakistani film actress
Zeba
Shaheen Bano (born 10 September 1945), known professionally as Zeba ( ur, ), is a Pakistani actress. She was one of the top stars of the Pakistani film industry in the 1960s and the early 1970s.Zeba
Shaheen Bano (born 10 September 1945), known professionally as Zeba ( ur, ), is a Pakistani actress. She was one of the top stars of the Pakistani film industry in the 1960s and the early 1970s.Mohammad Ali. Sudhir had four sons out of these marriages. He had his elder son Noor Zaman Khan from his first wife. He had one son from his second wife namely Meer Zaman also an actor. He had two sons from actress Shammi – Nadir Zaman Khan and Sikandar Zaman. His younger son Sikandar Zaman Khan is married to renowned playback singer Noor Jehan's granddaughter Fatima. He had no children with Zeba.
Death
Sudhir died on 19 January 1997 and was laid to rest at ''Defense Society Graveyard'' in
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest ...
, Pakistan.
Awards and nominations
* 1970 -
Nigar Awards
The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards ...
(Punjabi films)-Best Actor Award for the film ''Maa Puttar''
* 1974 -
Nigar Awards
The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards ...
(Punjabi films)-Best Actor Award for the film ''Lottery''
* 1981 -
Nigar Awards
The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards ...