Sudhir (Pakistani actor) explained

Sudhir
Birth Name:Shah Zaman Khan Afridi
Birth Date:1921 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan)
Death Place:Lahore, Pakistan
Resting Place:Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupation:Film Actor, Producer, Director
Years Active:1940s  - 1990s
Spouse:
Zeba
Other Names:Shah Zaman Khan
Awards:Nigar Awards in 1970, 1974 and 1981

Shah Zaman Khan Afridi better known as Sudhir (Urdu:) or Lala Sudhir (25 January 1921  - 19 January 1997) was a Pakistani actor, director and producer.

Sudhir was a highly respected film personality.

With his film roles symbolizing valour and bravery,[1] he is known as the first action-hero of Pakistani cinema, appearing in 173 films, including 101 in Punjabi, 70 in Urdu, one in Pashto and one Bollywood before Partition.[2]

Early life

He was born as Shah Zaman Khan Afridi into a Pashtun family on 25 January 1921 in Lahore, where he lived for much of his life.

Career

See main article: Filmography of Sudhir.

Cinema

Sudhir started his career with a role in a Bollywood 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.[3] He appeared in the hit musical film Dupatta in 1952. In 1954, Sassi was the first ever Urdu film to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. Dulla Bhatti (1956), Mahi Munda (1956) and Yakke Wali (1957) were the highest grossing Punjabi films of the time. Yakke Wali (1957) was the first blockbuster Punjabi 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.[1]

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), Jhoomer (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 (1964) and Ajab Khan (1961), on the struggle against the British Raj.[4]

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).[5] [3] [1]

Television

At a very old age, he had a special appearance on PTV and was interviewed by Izhar Bobby.[6]

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. His marriage with Zeba lasted a very short time. Zeba later went on to marry actor Mohammad Ali.[3] 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.[5]

Death

Sudhir died on 19 January 1997 and was laid to rest at Defense Society Graveyard in Lahore, Pakistan.[5] [3]

Awards and nominations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sudhir's profile. Pakistan Film Magazine website. https://web.archive.org/web/20170612092110/http://pakfilms.net/artists/details.php?pid=4010. 18 July 2022. 12 June 2017. dead.
  2. News: Parvez . Amjad. 18 June 2020 . Sudhir — the first action-hero of Lollywood . 25 May 2024. Daily Times newspaper. 6 October 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20221006145932/https://dailytimes.com.pk/628283/sudhir-the-first-action-hero-of-lollywood/.
  3. Web site: Filmography of actor Sudhir. Pakistan Film Magazine website. https://web.archive.org/web/20170428051236/http://pakfilms.net/actors/Sudhir.php. 18 July 2022. dead. 28 April 2017.
  4. News: FLASHBACK: THE EPIC STORY OF AJAB KHAN (scroll down to read about Sudhir in Ajab Khan (1961 film)) . Muhammad Suhayb. 28 March 2021. Dawn newspaper. 25 May 2024.
  5. Web site: Sudhir (profile) . https://web.archive.org/web/20111010193835/http://cineplot.com/sudhir/. 10 October 2011. Cineplot.com website . 27 September 2009. 18 July 2022.
  6. Web site: Sudhir on Pakistan Television . PTV . 8 March 2016., Pakistan Television videoclip on YouTube.
  7. Web site: Pakistan's "Oscars": The Nigar Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20200613171619/https://www.desimoviesreviews.com/index.php/2017/11/24/pakistans-oscars-nigar-awards/ . 24 November 2017. The Hot Spot Online Film Reviews website. 13 June 2020. 18 July 2022.