Rani Begum

Rani
رانی
Born
Nasira Begum

(1946-12-08)8 December 1946
Lahore, Punjab, British India
Died27 May 1993(1993-05-27) (aged 46)
Karachi, Pakistan
Other names
  • The Dancing Queen[1]
  • Lux Girl[2]
  • Queen of Lollywood[1]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1962 – 1993
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1970; div. 1977)​
Mian Javed Qamar
​
​
(m. 1979; div. 1980)​
​
​
(m. 1982; div. 1991)​
Children1
AwardsWon 3 Nigar Awards in 1968, 1971 and 1983

Rani (Punjabi, Urdu: رانی; 8 December 1946 – 27 May 1993) was a Pakistani film and television actress. She gained success in the late 1960s when she made a hit pair with famous actor and producer Waheed Murad. She was also known as The Dancing Queen, Queen of Lollywood and Lux Girl for her portrayal of romantic and dancing roles in films.[1] She remained one of the most successful actresses of the subcontinent and was also popular for her dance performances in films.[3][2]

Early life

Rani was born on 8 December 1946 as Nasira in Mozang, Lahore to Malik Muhammed Shafi and Iqbal Begum in an Arain family.[2] Her father was a driver for Mukhtar Begum, a singer and the wife of Agha Hashar Kashmiri, a well-known Urdu dramatist. Mukhtar Begum took over and raised Rani herself. After being raised by Mukhtar Begum, Rani moved in with her mother with whom she reconciled.[2]

Acting career

Rani acted in both Urdu and Punjabi films and was a film heroine in Pakistani films. In 1962 Anwar Kamal Pasha, a veteran film director of the 1950s and 1960s, gave Rani her first role in the film Mehboob (1962 film).[2] For several years after Mehoob, Rani appeared in supporting roles in films like Mouj Maila, Ek Tera Sahara and Safaid Khoon. Until 1965 she starred in other films, but when they flopped she was dubbed a jinxed actress.[4]

However, after the success of Hazar Dastan and Devar Bhabi, Rani became a leading actress. Some of her more notable films are Chann Makhna, Sajjan Pyara, Jind Jan, Duniya MatlabDi, Anjuman, Tehzeeb, Umrao Jaan Ada, Naag Muni, Seeta Maryam Margaret, Aik Gunnah Aur Sahi and Surraya Bhopali. She also acted in two TV serials Khuwahish and Fareb in the early 1990s.[2][5]

Personal life

After her initial success in the late 1960s, she married renowned director Hassan Tariq, with whom she had a daughter, Rabia. Due to conflicts, Hassan Tariq divorced Rani in the late 1970s.[2] She then married producer Mian Javed Qamar, who divorced her when it was discovered that Rani had cancer.[2] During her treatment in London, she met famous cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz. Soon they developed a good relationship with each other and got married. Rani helped Sarfraz in his election campaign in the late 1980s. But their relationship also did not last long and they parted.[2] After getting divorced for the third time, Rani was struck by the grief of loneliness. Cancer also struck back and this time with much more intensity as Rani did not have much desire to live but to see her daughter get married. She died of AIDS. .[5]

Illness and death

Graves of Rani and her mother

Rani died of Cancer on 27 May 1993 at the age of 46 in Karachi, just a few days after her daughter Rabia's marriage. Shortly after Rani's death, her mother who was seriously ill and never knew of her daughter's death, also died. Rani's only sister also died three months later. Rani and her mother were buried side by side in Lahore in Muslim Town Cemetery.[2][5]

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Network
1986 Show Time Herself PTV
1993 Khuwahish Nafeesa Begum PTV[2]
1993 Fareb Shabahat PTV[4]

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
1962 Mehboob [6]
1963 Ik Tera Sahara
Mauj Mela
1964 Aurat Ka Pyar
Chhoti Ammi
Chhoti Behan
Ik Dil Do Deewane
Safaid Khoon
Shatranj
1965 Aakhri Station [7]
Aurat [8]
Hazar Dastaan [7]
Nache Nagan Baje Been [7]
Sanam [7]
Saaz-o-Awaz [8]
Shabnam [8]
Yeh Jahan Wale [8]
1966 Bhai Jaan [9]
Ghar ka Ujala [9]
Goonga [9]
Insaan [9]
Joker [9]
Woh Kaun Thi [10]
1967 Bereham [11]
Devar Bhabhi [12]
Hokumat [12]
Kafir [12]
Nadira [12]
Shab-ba-Khair [12]
Sitamgar [11]
Yatim [11]
1968 Adalat [13]
Behan Bhai [13]
Chan Choudvin Da [14]
Chan Makhnan [15]
Cheen Le Azadi [15]
Commander [13]
Dara [13]
Dil Mera Dharkan Teri [15]
Eik Hi Rasta [13]
Mera Ghar Meri Jannat [13]
Sajjan Pyara [14]
Zalim [15]
1969 Dilbar Jani [16]
Dil-e-Baitab [17]
Diya Aur Toofan [16]
Ghabru Put Punjab De [18]
Jindjan [17]
Khoon Nahaq [17]
Kochwaan [18]
Maa Beta [17]
Mukhra Chan Warga [17]
Panchi te Pardesi [16]
1970 Aakhri Chattan [19]
1970 Anjuman [20]
1970 Chan Sajna [20]
1970 Dil Diyan Laggian [19]
1970 Do Nain Sawali [19]
1970 Duniya Matlab Di [21]
1970 Mehram Dil Da [19]
1970 Mr. 420 [21]
1970 Rab di Shan [20]
1970 Sajjan Beli [19]
1970 Shama Aur Parwana [19]
1970 Taxi Driver [20]
1971 Babul [22]
1971 Des Mera Jidaran Da [22]
1971 Do Baghi [23]
1971 Ishq Bina ki Jeena [22]
1971 Jeyo Jatta [22]
1971 Mr. 303 [23]
1971 Rab Rakha [23]
1971 Sakhi Lutera [22]
1971 Siran Nal Sardarian [22]
1971 Sucha Sauda [23]
1971 Tehzeeb [22]
1971 Uncha Naa Pyar Da [22]
1971 Wehshi [22]
1972 Azaadi
Badley Gi Duniya Saathi
Baharo Phool Barsao
Bhai Bhai
Dhol Jawanian Mane
Dil Naal Sajjan De
Ghairat Te Qanoon
Khalish
Meri Ghairat Teri Izzat
Naag Muni [6]
Sodagar
Umrao Jaan Ada [2]
1973 Ek thi Larki
Jeib Kutra
Pyasa
1974 Deedar
Laila Majnoo
Zulm Kade Nein Phalda
1975 Dilruba
Aik Gunnah Aur Sahi
Pulekha
1976 Aulad
Naag aur Nagin
Surraya Bhopali
Zaroorat
1977 Begum Jan
Kaloo
1978 Nazrana
Parakh
Saheli
Seeta Maryam Margaret [6]
1979 Ab Ghar Jane Do
Aurat Raj
Behan Bhai
Ibadat
Josh
Khushboo
Mr. Ranjha
Naqsh-e-Qadam
Nawabzadi
Nai Tehzeeb
Tarana
1980 Badnaam
Haye Yeh Shohar
Aap Ki Khatir
Lahoo De Rishte
Sheikh Chilli
1981 Gun Man
Watan
1982 Kinara
Aas Paas
1983 Bigri Naslen
Deewana Mastana
Wadda Khan
Kala Sumandar
Sona Chandi
1984 Chor Chokidar
Dada Ustad
Devar Bhabhi
Iman Te Farangi
Ishq Pecha
Jagga Te Reshma
Judai
Laraka
Raja Rani
Sajawal Daku
Ucha Shamla Jatt Da
Aag Ka Sumandar
Aaj Ka Inssan
1985 Ann Parh
Babur Khan
Chandni
Chann Baloch
Do Hathkarian
Ek Dulhan
Ghulami
Khoon Aur Pani
Khuddar
Muqaddar
Sahib Bahadur
Thugg Badshah
1986 Chall So Chall
Qulli
Shehnai
1987 Kala Toofan
Zalzala
Zidbazi
1988 Jatt Majhay Da
1989 Aap Ki Khatir
1991 Yohnavey
Truck Driver

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Result Title Ref.
1968 Nigar Award Special Award Won Mera Ghar Meri Jannat [5]
1971 Nigar Award Best Actress Won Babul [24]
1983 Nigar Award Best Actress Won Sona Chandi [5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Remembering Rani The Dancing Queen on her death anniversary". Daily Times. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "In memoriam: The Rani of our hearts lives on". Dawn (newspaper). 25 May 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. ^ Parvez, Amjad (17 October 2019). "Rani: top class heroine of Pakistani cinema's golden era — Part I". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "The power of the biopic". The News International. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Sarfaraz Nawaz and Rani: Their Wedding and Beyond". Asian Women Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Parvez Jabri (8 December 2017). "Renowned actress Rani remembered today". Business Recorder (newspaper). Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 255. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  8. ^ a b c d Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 254. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  9. ^ a b c d e Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 256. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  10. ^ Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 257. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  11. ^ a b c Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 259. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  12. ^ a b c d e Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 258. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 261. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  14. ^ a b Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 262. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  15. ^ a b c d Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 260. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  16. ^ a b c Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 263. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  17. ^ a b c d e Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 264. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  18. ^ a b Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 265. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 266. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  20. ^ a b c d Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 267. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  21. ^ a b Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 268. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 270. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  23. ^ a b c d Gazdar, Mushtaq (1997). Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997. Oxford University Press. p. 269. ISBN 0-19-577817-0.
  24. ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2022.