Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi was a prominent film distributor and producer of Pakistan film industory. This article covers the family of Tayyab Rizvi and his family members towards film industry of Pakistan.

Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi (سید طیّب حسین رضوی)
Tayyab Rizvi was a prominent film distributor and producer of Pakistan film industry. Tayyab Rizvi has been active in film business in 1960’s to mid 1990’s. Society Girl, Ishq Ishq, Muthi Bhar Chaawal, Thori Si Bewafai are few famous films distributed by Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi under the banner of his production house PNR productions. All the family members of Tayyab Rizvi have also contributed towards film making in different capacities.

Tayyab Rizvi is married to Mehtab Bano. The couple has three daughters Parveen Rizvi, Nasreen Rizvi and Hina Rizvi and one son Syed Raza Ali Rizvi. The production house of Tayyab Rizvi was named after his three elder kids PNR (Parveen Nasreen Raza) productions. Working as a team Tayyab Rizvi family provided few remarkable films in the history of the Pakistan film industry. In the late 1970’s the family of Tayyab Hussain Rizvi was also blessed with their fourth kid their daughter Hina.

Mehtab Bano (مہتاب بانو)
Mehtab Bano is the spouse of Tayyab Rizvi. Mehtab is a film producer as well as the screen play writer. Mehtab has produced many films under the banner of her home production PNR productions. She also wrote the screenplay of many successful films like Society Girl, Ishq Ishq, Thori Si Bewafai.

Working behind the scenes Mehtab Bano also played a pivotal role in the film careers of her elder daughters Parveen Rizvi and Nasreen Rizvi.

Parveen Rizvi (پروین نسرین) as known as Sangeeta (سنگیتا)
The most prominent name of Tayyab Rizvi family is Parveen Rizvi famously known as Sangeeta. Sangeeta is the elder daughter of Tayyab Rizvi and Mehtab Bano. Few say that Sangeeta is the daughter of elder sister of Mehtab Bano later adopted by Mehtab Bano and Tayyab Rizvi after Sangeeta’s parents passed away.

Sangeeta started her film career at a tender age in 1969 from the film Kangan (کنگّن). She appeared as heroine opposite Rehman who was a leading artist of Urdu cinema back then. It is said Sangeeta was merely 14-15 years old in her first film Kangan. Kangan was not much successful but it opened the doors of film world for Sangeeta. Afterwards Sangeeta acted in many Urdu and Punjabi films in 1970’s for different production houses in leading and secondary roles.

But like her parents Tayyab Rizvi and Mehtab Bano and brother Raza Ali Rizvi, Sangeeta was more inclined towards working in back-end of camera instead of front-end and thus she ventured into direction in 1976. Sangeeta is the most successful female director in the history of Pakistani cinema. She has directed more than 70 films in Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto.

Sangeeta started direction in 1976 with the super hit Urdu film Society Girl (سوسائٹی گرل) produced and distributed by her home production house PNR productions. As a director Sangeeta experimented with new subjects and themes. In this journey she was fully supported by her parents as well as her siblings. From mid 70’s till early 90’s her younger sister Nasreen Rizvi (Filmi Name is Kavita) worked in the lead roles in almost all of her films. Backed by her parents Tayyab Rizvi and Mehtab Bano, Sangeeta experimented with new and fresh subjects. Like the film Muthi Bhar Chaawal (مٹھی بھر چاول) in 1978 was based on the novel Ik Chaadar Meli Si of Rajendra Singh Bedi. Thori Si Bewafai (تھوڑی سی بے وفائی) in 1983 was the first Paksitani film shot in United States of America (USA).

In mid 1970’s Sangeeta married co-actor Humayun Qureshi. Humayun Qureshi was a popular villian of Urdu films as well as hero of Pashto films of that era. The couple has two daughters. Sangeeta and Humayun Qureshi parted their ways shortly afterwards. Both have been silent on their separation. Unlike her parents, Sangeeta has kept her daughters away from showbiz.

In 1980’s Urdu cinema suffered badly due to lack of viewership but Sangeeta continued the direction of Urdu films and refused the offer of Punjabi films. However in late 1980’s Sangeeta eventually also ventured into Punjabi films. Sangeeta took a break from direction in early 1990’s. In her first run as a director most of the films of Sangeeta were produced by her home production PNR productions. In 1990’s Sangeeta married again this time to film producer Naveed Akbar Butt.

Sangeeta returned to film making and direction in 1998 with the Urdu film Khilona (کھلونا) which proved super hit. After Khilona, Sangeeta directed further Urdu films like Aashqi Khel Nahin (عاشقی کھیل نہیں), Dream Girl (ڈریم گرل), Ehsaas (احساس), Nikaah (نکاح), Tarap (تڑپ), Gharana (گھرانہ). Apart from Nikaah none of the other Urdu film worked for Sangeeta and she again reverted to Punjabi cinema. Punjabi cinema of 2000 comprises of Gundasa and Gujjar movie and going against this trend  Sangeeta experimented with a light romantic Punjabi film Reshman (ریشماں). Reshman was not much successful and finally going with the tide Sangeeta also directed many pulp Punjabi films in 2000’s like Sher-e-Lahore (شیرلاہور), Kuryan Shehr Diyan (کڑیاں شہر دیاں). Sangeeta also returned to acting from film Sher-e-Lahore in early 2000. Sangeeta also started working for the television and till date is working actively in the television dramas.

With the recent success of Urdu films in past few years, she is also directing a new film Tum Hi To Ho which will release in 2016.

Humayun Qureshi (ہمایوں قریشی)
Humayun Qureshi haling from Bannu, KPK is a leading artist of Pakistani Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto cinema. Starting form 1970’s he mostly worked in negative roles in Urdu and Punjabi films and as a hero in the Pashto films. Humayun Qureshi married Sangeeta in 1970’s, which was not successful. The couple has two daughters.

After the breakup with Sangeeta, in 1980’s Humayun Qureshi married again within his family. From this marriage he has a daughter Muqqaddas (مقدس). Muqqadas worked as a child star in the horror drama Haqeeqat aired in the late 1990’s.

Here is a clipping from the drama Haqeeqat, featuring Muqqaddas the daughter of Humayun Qureshi

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ga918

Naveed Akbar Butt (نویداکبر بٹ)
Naveed Akbar Butt is a film producer from Lahore. Naveed Butt is the second husband of Sangeeta. In early 1990’s Sangeeta took a break from film direction. She returned into films direction with Khilona in 1998 which was produced by Naveed Butt. From 1998 onwards Naveed Butt also financed many other films of Sangeeta.

Raza Ali Rzivi (رضا علی رضوی)
Raza Ali Rizvi is the son of Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi and Mehtab Bano. Raza Ali Rizvi also participated in the film making as film producer. Few of the films of PNR productions have his name as the producer. Raza Ali Rizvi migrated to USA in late 1980’s and still resides there with his family.

Nasreen Rizvi (نسرین رضوی) as known as Kaveeta (کویتا)
Nasreen Rizvi is the younger daguther of Tayyab Rizvi and Mehtab Bano. She started her filmi career in mid 1970’s with the name Kaveeta. She played the leading roles in the films produced by her home production i.e. PNR productions like Society Girl, Ishq Ishq, Thori Si Bewafayee, Aaj Aur Abhi, Teray Meray Sapnay, Mohabbat Aur Mehengai, Yeh Kaisay Hua

Kaveeta is also known for her tall slim figure. In 1970’s the leading heroines were healthy, and Kaveeta was the only one different from others in this aspect. Kavita worked in about 70 films. Her last film was released in early 1990’s, after which she married a businessman and migrated to USA. She seldom appeared afterwards in media.

Hinna Rizvi (حنا رضوی)
Hinna Rizvi is the youngest daguther of Tayyab Rizvi and Mehtab Bano. Born in 1970’s she is much younger then her elder siblings Sangeeta, Raza and Kavita. Hinna Rizvi has also acted in films and television dramas in supporting roles. She is still active in acting and regularly works in the television dramas. Hinna’s last film was Halla Gulla (2015) in which she appreared in a supporting role.

Jiah Khan (جیہ خان)

Jiah Khan (real name Nafisa Khan) is the niece of Sangeeta, Kaveeta and Hinna Rizvi. She is the daughter of Raza Ali Rizvi. Raza Ali Rizvi married a British Indian lady Rabia Amin Khan in 1980’s. The marriage was not much successful and Jiah stayed with her mother. Born in 1988 Jiah later worked in few Bollywood films. She died in mysterious circumstances in 2013 in India.

So it concludes the details of the family of Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi whose family invested their energies towards entertainment industry of Pakistan.

Thanks for your time.

Rashid Nazir Ali

Sheharyar Zaidi, a well known artist in the current age of drama. Sheharyar is a popular choice for Father roles in dramas. Apart from Sheharyar many of his family members have also been active part of media industry in various disciplines.

Sheharyar Zaidi
Sheharyar Zaidis family basically belongs to Uttar Pradesh, India and migrated to Pakistan after the partition in 1947. Sheharyar has studied from National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore and started his media career as an active singer and actor. His spouse is Nayyara Noor a famous singer, who also studied from National College of Arts Lahore.

In 1970’s he regularly appeared as a singer on PTV, like he provided vocals for a famous television program Such Gupp with his spouse Nayyara Noor (a famous singer). Throughout 1980s he actively partnered with Nayyara Noor to release various music albums as well. However he was not active on small screen (television) in the same duration.

It was only after the arrival of private satellite channels in 2000’s that he pursued acting and performed few memorable roles like the role of Chaudhary Saab opposite Bushra Ansari in famous “Kis Ki Aayegi Baraat” series.

Apart from Sheharyar, two of his sisters were also active on television as news readers in 1970s and 80s. Sheharyar and Nayyara have two sons who are also active in music industry. The family resides in Karachi.

Yasmeen Waasti
Yasmeen Waasti is the sister of Sheharyar Zaidi and was a famous news reader of PTV in 1980s. Mostly Yasmeen Waasti used to read Business News (Tijaarti Khabrain) which were aired on PTV after Khabrnama at 9 pm.

Arjumand Shaheen
Arjumand Shaheen is the sister of Sheharyar Zaidi and was a famous news reader of PTV in 1980s. Back then Arjumand Shaheen was a well known news reader almost daily reading News in Khabrnama at 9 pm.

Syed Shahnawaz Zaidi
Syed Shahnawaz Zaidi is the brother of Shehryar Zaidi. By profession Syed Shahnawaz Zaidi has served at various positions in the Fine Arts department of Punjab University including the Principle of College of Fine Arts of Punjab University. Syed Shahawaz Zaidi also occasionally acted in few dramas of PTV Lahore center in 1980’s.

Nayyara Noor
Nayyara Noor is the spouse of Sheharyar Zaidi and a leading singer of our country. Nayyara’s family belongs to Assam, India and migrated to Pakistan after partition in 1947. Nayyara is also a graduate of National College of Arts, Lahore. Nayyara started her singing career in 1970’s and continued singing till late 1990’s. Nayyara provided vocals for many Urdu films mostly working with musicians Robin Ghosh and M. Ashraf. Nayyara was a popular choice for background scores (OST) of dramas in 1980s and 1990s. She is no more active in music and seldom appears on mainstream media.

One of the first famous OST of a PTV drama was in the voice of Nayyara, Kabhi Hum Bhi khubsurat Thay for drama Teesra Kinara.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzzq0o_kabhi-hum-bhi-khubsurat-thay-nayyara-noor-by-aslam-nasir_music

The few couplets of Faiz Ahmed Faiz by Nayyara Noor for the drama Dhoop Kinare are considered classic.

In films Nayyara Noor also provided many hits

Sheharyar Zaidi and Nayyara Noor have two sons Nad-e-Ali Zaidi and Jaffar Zaidi who are also active in the field of music.

Syed Naad-e-Ali Zaidi
Syed Naad-e-Ali Zaidi is the elder son of Sheharyar Zaidi and Nayyara Noor. He is a solo singer and to-date also released few singles. Syed Naad-e-Ali Zaidi’s spouse Sana Tariq is also a famous news reader and anchor. They got married in 2010.

Here is a single track Barkha of Naad-e-Ali Zaidi

Dr. Sana Tariq
Dr. Sana Tariq, is the spouse of Naad-e-Ali Zaidi and also a famous anchor and news reader. She hosted various morning shows as well read news on Geo TV. After marriage with Naad-e-Ali, Sana quit hosting. By profession Sana is a doctor.

Jaffar Zaidi
Jaffar Zaidi is the younger son of Sheharyar Zaidi and Nayyara Noor. Jaffar is part of Kaavish band as a singer. He also participated in various seasons of Coke Studio as a singer and composer. A famous song of Kaavish is Nindiya Re.

Lastly few duet and solo in the voices of Nayyara Noor and Sheryar Zaidi recorded for PTV program Such Gupp in 1970’s. Composer is Arshad Mehmood.

Rashid Nazir Ali

Saqib Sheikh has passed away few weeks ago. Saqib Sheikh has worked across various mediums from radio, theater to radio and films in supporting roles. There is a long artists, who have never worked in a lead role and kept on playing supporting roles, yet they are admired for their contributions. In Pakistan we have many such remarkable artists like Qavi Khan, Mehmood Ali, Jamshed Ansari, Samina Ahmed, Zaheen Tahira, Badar Khalil, Subhani Bayounas, Akbar Subhani to name a few.

Saqib Sheikh also belongs to the same category, he never appeared in a leading role and appeared in the supporting roles in career spawning over five decades.

Saqib Sheikh
Saqib Sheikh belongs from Karachi. He worked on radio and theatre, and rose to prominence from a side role in the evergreen PTV Play Khuda Ki Basti in 1970’s. Through out 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s Saqib worked in many television dramas. Another notable appearance was in drama Tappish in 1989. Since mid 90’s Saqib worked in few projects that too after a considerable gap. His last prominent projects were Meri Laadli on ARY and Zeeros on Hum Tv.

Saqib’s kids have also acted in various dramas. His daughter was a prominent child artist in late 1980s to mid 1990s but never pursued acting as a career afterwards. However one of his son and daughter in law are quite famous.

Ayesha Saqib
Ayesha Saqib is the only daughter of Saqib Sheikh. She worked as child artist in few plays of PTV. Like in Tappish in 1989, she was the younger sister of Jamal Shah. In Nijaat in 1993, she played the role of younger sister of Huma Nawab, who ends up being the victim of underage marriage. Ayesha Saqib also appeared in few episodes of drama series Pas-e-Aina in late 1990’s in teenage roles. However she never pursued acting as a full time profession.

Salman Saqib (Maani)
Salman Saqib as known as Maani is the son of Saqib Sheikh. Maani is a famous host, and mostly acted in comic roles in sitcoms. As an artist, Salman has earned more fame then his other family members i.e. his father and sister. Salman has graduated from National College of Arts Lahore. His first major appearance was in the sitcom College Jeans in early 2000’s. Since then Maani has worked in many sitcoms apart from hosting various shows.

Maani is married to Hira who is also a host and actor. The couple have two sons Muzzamil and Muddassir.

Hira Salman
Hira is the spouse of Salman Saqib (Maani) and daughter in law of Saqib Sheikh. A talkative lady, Hira has co-hosted many shows with Maani on various channels. Hira has also acted in sitcoms and drama serials mostly with Maani.

Muzzamil Salman
Muzzamil is the elder son of Hira and Maani and grandson of Saqib Sheik. Muzzamil has appeared in few sitcoms as a child artist mostly with his parents i.e. Hira and Maani.

So it sums up the family of Saqib Sheikh.

Thanks for reading.

Rashid Nazir Ali

Hameed Akhtar (late) was a famous journalist and writer. This article covers the family members of Hameed Akhtar.

Hameed Akhtar
Hameed Akhtar was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, British India in 1924. A progressive leftist (communist), he migrated to Pakistan after he independence. He was a close friend of famous Urdu poet Saahir Ludhianwi, who also migrated to Pakistan. Back then in 1950’s and 1960’s it was quite hard time for anyone being communist. So Hameed Akhtar was also arrested and served jailed for 2 years in 1950’s due to his communist views. While Saahir Ludhianwi returned to India to escape the arrest, Hameed Akhtar lived in Pakistan despite facing hardships.

Apart from writing for papers, he also made two films Sukh Ka Sapna in 1962 was based on an Australian novel, Parayee Aag in 1971 was based on an Urdu novel by Hameed Jabeen. Produced by his spouse Saadia Hameed, both the films proved unsuccessful.

Due to his views he also faced restrictions and faced financial hardships. Till his death he was not able to make even a house of his own and lived at her elder daughter Saba’s residence in Lahore.

Hameed Akhtar passed away in 2011 at the age of 87. He also wrote his biography.

Hameed Akhtar was married to Saadia Hameed, the couple has five kids, four daughters and one son namely Saba, Huma, Bushra, Lalarukh and Umair. Three of his daughters are artists and worked on television. In the late 1970’s PTV banned the daughters of Hameed Akhtar briefly (ten months) under the government of General Ziaul Haq.

Saadia Hameed
Saadia Hameed is the spouse of Hameed Akhtar. Saadia Hameed produced two Urdu films. Sukh Ka Sapna in 1962 was based on an Australian novel, Parayee Aag in 1971 was based on an Urdu novel by Hameed Jabeen.

The music of Prayee Aag is quite famous composed by Khawajah Khursheed Anwar. Here is a famous song of Mehdi Hassan, Ae Shaam Gham Bata, Lyrics by Habib Jaalib

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtBTfzHXxoY

Saba Hameed
Saba Hameed is the elder daughter of Hameed Akhtar and also the most famous one. A graduate of NCA Lahore, Saba started her acting career in late 1970’s from PTV Lahore center. She rose to fame in 1980’s with the character of Neeli in the drama Saahil. Since then Saba has worked in many television plays and serials. She also regularly worked on commercial theater at Alhamra, Lahore in 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Saba Hameed married Syed Parvez Shafi a journalist in 1980’s and continued acting after the marriage. From this unsuccessful marriage Saba has two kids Faaris Shafi (son) and Meesha Shafi (daughter). In 1990’s Saba Hameed also briefly married famous artist Waseem Abbas.

Huma Hameed: is the second daughter of Hameed Akhtar. Though younger than Saba, Huma started her acting career before Saba in late 1970’s. Huma mostly worked in drama series and tele plays. After getting married in mid 1980’s she quit acting and moved to Canad. Huma Hameed made a comeback in acting from the drama ‘Ainie Ki Aayegi Baraat’ on Geo Tv and now seldom appears in dramas.

Lalarukh Hameed: is the third daughter of Hameed Akhtar who worked briefly on television in 1980’s. She appeared in PTV play ‘Hazaron Rastay’ in 1986. She quit acting after marriage and now resides in Canada.

Meesha Shafi
Meesha Shafi is the daughter of Saba Hameed and grand daughter of Hameed Akhtar. Meesha has acted in few plays, but is more famous due to her singing. These days she is more active in singing.

Faaris Shafi
Faaris Shafi is the son of Saba Hameed and grand son of Hameed Akhtar. Faaris has acted in few plays and also released few songs in his voice.

Thanks for reading and do share your thoughts on the Hameed Akhtar family.

Rashid Nazir Ali

Aqleem Akhtar (اقلیم اختر) is one of the forgotten characters in the history of Pakistan. She was a power broker and had access to the power corridors of Pakistani decision makers from 1960’s to early 1970’s. Especially from March 1969 to December 1971, she was considered one of the most powerful lady in Pakistan politics without serving at any key position.

Why Aqleem AKhtar is being discussed on this showbiz portal, the reason is few of her family members later excelled in the showbiz. This article discusses all the famous persons related to the family of Aqleem Akhtar. Two names in this article i.e. Tariq Mairaj and Naseem Tariq are no more related to this family, but their names are mentioned for reference only.

Aqleem Akhtar
Aqleem Akhtar was from the city of Gujarat, Punjab. She was married to a Police officer and the couple has six kids. The marriage ended in divorce in early 1960’s due to disagreement between this couple. After the divorce, Aqleem Akhtar started a social club arranging dance parties from her apartment in the Rawalpindi with her nickname Raani. Her social club was regularly frequented by top government officials from military and bureacracry and thus she get acquaintance with officials serving on the key posts. During one such meeting around 1967 Aqleem Akhtar got introduced to General Yahya Khan, the then Commander Inchief of Paksitan Army. General Yahya Khan is famous as a drinker and womanizer and thus was a regular part of social gatherings in Rawalpindi.

Both Aqleem Akhtar (Raani) and General Yahya became good friends. It is said that Aqleem Akhtar Raani also introduced the General Yahya Khan to many other ladies than active in the social circles. Their friendship and association has been discussed widely in the Pakistani and International press. In 1960’s Pakistan was ruled by the military dictator General Ayub Khan who faced a violent agitation movement in 1968 and 1969 by the leftist student and labour organizations. As a result of this agitation, General Ayub Khan resigned in March 1969 and the Commander In-chief of Pakistan Army General Yahya Khan imposed the martial law in Pakistan. With the martial law of 1969, General Yahya Khan became the president of Pakistan as well and announced general elections in 1970.

Aqleem Akhtar Raani became the closest friend of General Yahya Khan suddenly gained importance. Due to her closeness with the General, she was being called as General Raani in the press, an identity which over shadowed her actual name Aqleem Akhtar. It was famous that Aqleem Akhtar Raani or General Raani can influence the decision of the President General Yahya Khan on politics and key political matters. With such reputation, Aqleem Akhtar Raani gained the status of a power broker. She was regular visited by politician, officials (civil or military), businessmen who want favor from the Yahya Khan regime. One such famous name is Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who later also served as the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Being active in politics Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also targetted the association of Aqleem Akhtar Raani and Yahya Khan in his electoral movement, and thus the name of General Raani gained popularity with the commoners as well. After the election of 1970, Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman from East Pakistan got the absolute majority in the parliament, however Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto the head of the second largest party from West Pakistan refused to attend the parliament due to reservation on the manifesto of Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman. Unable to resolve the differences, in March 1971, the president Yahya Khan cancelled the parliament session a decision which resulted in a violent uprising in East Pakistan. The uprsising ended in the war of December 1971 and East Pakistan eventually became an independant country of Bangladesh. Badly defeated General Yahya Khan left the presidency and handed over the powers to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.With General Yahya the role of Aqleem Akhtar Raani as a power borker in Pakistani politics also ended forever.

In 1970’s under the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto government, General Raani was widely targetted in the press especially in the Urdu Daily Musawaat, run by the ruling party i.e. Pakistan Peoples Party. She was accused of being part of the 1971 defeat with General Yahya. She was also put under house arrest for much of the Bhutto government until 1977 when Bhutto was overthrown by General Ziaul Haq. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also setup a fact finding commission known as Hamudur Rehman commission on the 1971 war. The report of the Hamudur Rehman commission was not made public until 2001, which has widely discussed the association of General Yahya and Aqleem Akhtar Raani. The association of General Yahya and Aqleem Akhtar Raani can be considered as a dark part of our history.

In 1977 General Ziaul Haq came in to power by over throwing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and it also ended the difficult time for Aqleem Akhtar Raani. She gradually disappeared from the print media. In 1981, General Yahya Khan also passed away. Aqleem Akhtar Raani again became a subject of the press due to her involvement in a drugs smuggling case in 1980’s. But like no other charges proven on her previously this case also ended eventually.

Since 1980’s till her death in 2002 Aqleem Akhtar Raani or General Raani spent a quiet life at her home town Gujrat. She is mentioned in memoirs of many military and civil officials who have worked with General Yahya Khan. Interestingly a Punjabi film loosely based on her character was also produced in Lahore in 1990’s named Madam Raani. Anjuman, the most successful artist of the Punjabi cinema played the role of Madam Raani (General Raani).

Though largely forgotten, every year in December when on the 16th December, on the anniversary of the 1971 war the name of General Raani does appear in press and media.

The legacy of General Raani is not ended with her death. Her next generation also got fame in different fields of life.

Aroosa Alam
Aroosa Alam is the daughter of Aqleem Akhtar one of the six kids she had from her marriage with a police officer. Aroosa Alam married a civil officer. Aroosa also started her journalism career and is a prominent journalist working in English newspapers.

In mid 2000, Aroosa Alam became the subject of Indian media over her association to Captain Amrinder Singh a prominent sikh politican from the Indian state of Punjab who also served as the Chief Minister of Punjab. Aroosa has denied all such news and maintained the stance that she is only a good friend of Captain Amrinder Singh. As per journalist Hamid Mir, since 2004, Aroosa Alam mostly stays in India instead of Pakistan. Aroosa Alam’s son Fakhre Alam gained fame in the field of showbiz.

Fakhre Alam
Fakhre Alam is the son of Aroosa Alam and the grandson of Aqleem Akhtar. Fakhre Alam recieved his education from the United States and there he developed an interest in the rap music. In early 1990’s he released his urdu album consisting of rap music. The album became successful and his song rap bhangra became widely popular. Fakhre Alam also hosted various programs. He also ventured into acting and worked in the film Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log in 1998 opposite Resham. VGDVBL was an average hit and failed to establish the acting career of Fakhre Alam. By late 1990’s his singing career also ended, as the short lived rap style of singing also faded. He also worked in another film No Paisa No Problem in 2001 which proved unsuccessful at the Box office.

Fakhre Alam continued hosting of the various shows and was a regular entry in the shows hosted in the presidency during the Musharraf regime till 2008. In 2012 he was appointed the chairmen of Sindh Board for Film Certification (SBFC) and is still serving on this post. He occasionally also works as a sports host for the sports channel Ten Sports.

Fakhre Alam married twice. Her first marriage in 1998 or 1999 with a lady named Nadia ended within two years. His second marriage was with Hina Mairaj who is the daughter of the famous Pakistan Television director and producer Tariq Mairaj. Both Fakhre Alam and Hina Mairaj also separated ways. Now Fakhre Alam is married to an Arab lady and has three kids from this third marriage.

Tariq Mairaj
Tariq Mairaj is a famous director and producer of Pakistan television serving at Islamabad center. He direced many famous television dramas. Bandhan in 1998 is his most famous drama from PTV Islamabad centre. Tariq Mairaj is the father of Hina Mairaj and was thus father in law of Fakhre Alam.

Naseem Tariq
Naseem Tariq is the wife of Tariq Mairaj. Naseem Tariq is a prominent news caster of Pakistan in 1990’s and 2000’s. She regularly appeared at the 9 PM news bulletin called khabarnama at PTV. Naseem Tariq is the mother of Hina Mairaj and was mother in law of Fakhre Alam.

Apart from Aroosa Alam and Fakhre Alam, another grandson of Aqleem Akhtar also gained fame in showbiz.

Naureen Sami Khan – Arshad Sami Khan
Naureen Sami Khan is the niece (sister’s daughter) of the Aqleem Akhtar. In relation Aqleem Akhtar is the khala of Naureen Sami Khan. Unlke her khala Aqleem Akhtar, it is said that Naureen Sami Khan is an Indian citizen with British nationality. Naureen Sami Khan was married to Arshad Sami Khan who served in Pakistani Air Force and also participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars with India as a fighter pilot. After leaving the air force Arshad Sami Khan also served at key positions in Pakistan foreign office as well as ADC to three Pakistani presidents. Arshad Sami Khan served as ambassador in fourteen different countries from 1970’s till his retirement in 1990’s. As per the journalist Hamid Mir he was diagnosed with cancer in 1989, and his expensive treatment was financed by Pakistani government on the public funds or tax payers money. Arshad Sami Khan and Naureen Sami Khan settled in India and passed away in 2009.

One son of Naureen Sami and Arshad Sami Khan actively pursued music which is Adnan Sami Khan.

Adnan Sami Khan
Adnan Sami Khan is the son of the Naureen Sami Khan and Arshad Sami Khan. In relation he is also a grandson of Aqleem Akhtar, where Aroosa Alam is his khala and Fakhre Alam is his second cousin.

Adnan Sami Khan is brought up in Europe where Arshad Sami Khan was serving as ambassador of Pakistan. Adnan Sami Khan has an interest in music and he returned to Pakistan in late 1980’s. In 1989 he started a music program Behta Darya on the state run Pakistan Television (PTV) from Islamabad center. It is common in Pakistan that persons of influential families waste tax payers money, in the name of showcasing their talent. Behta Darya was not much successful. Adnan released his first music album Raag Time in 1991 which recieved moderate success. He also secured a commercial contract with the Coca Cola. In 1992 during a television show he announced he is leaving Pakistan. However he was again in the news when famous film director Syed Noor signed him for his film Sargam. Adnan Sami Khan composed the music as well acted in this film with Zeba Bakhtyar in the opposite lead. Both Adnan and Zeba got married during the shooting of Sargam. Sargam was released in 1995, though praised by critics it was not commercially much successful. The success of the music of Sargam bring Adnan Sami Khan in the limelight. After Sargam, Adnan Sami Khan and Zeba Bakhyar signed another film Mausam to be produced by SB Hussain (Late). By then both Zeba and Adnan had a son Azaan Sami Khan.

Around 1997-98 Adnan Sami Khan composed the music of Mausam in London with Indian signer Asha Bhosle. In the meanwhile his marriage with Zeba Bakhtyar ended. Their breakup made headlines when Zeba filed a kidnap case against Adnan Sami Khan, who kidnapped his own son Azaan and fled to Canada. After the intervention of then Home Minister Ch. Shujaat Hussain, the case was resolved Azaan Sami Khan along with Adnan Sami Khan was brought back to Pakistan, where Azaan was handed over to his mother Zeba Bakhtyar.

Adnan released the music of film Mausam in 1998, though he did not own the rights of the music but the album was not much successful. The album has songs like Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Mujh Ko Bhi To Lift Kara De. In 2000 he moved to India and re-released the album of Mausam, with the name Kabhi To Nazar Milao and it proved a massive hit in the Indian market. We Pakistani have a strange habit, many times we do not acknowledge our own artists, but when the same artist gets recognition in India or west we suddenly remember how valuable the artist is for Pakistan. It happened in the case of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and similar to this Adnan Sami Khan also became very popular. The same album of Mausam which proved unsuccessful in 1998, became a superhit one in Pakistan once it is endorsed by the Indian audience as Kabhi To Nazar Milao.

Adnan Sami Khan prolonged his stay in India and composed music for few Bollywood films as well. He made the headlines again when he filed for Indian citizenship. His first request was rejected, and he filed the second request in 2015. The second request was accepted by the Indian government and on 1st January 2016 he was granted the Indian citizenship after surrendering his Pakistani passport.

So it ends a quite lengthy description about Aqleem Akhtar and the other famous names directly or indirectly related to her.

Thanks for your time.

Reference: http://jang.com.pk/jang/jan2016-daily/04-01-2016/col4.htm

Rashid Nazir Ali

Ahmed Bashir was a famous writer, journalist and intellectual of our country. Ahmed Bashir was a progressive writer; he faced hardships for his writing and thinking during martial law of general Zia in 1980’s. In those days he even wrote in newspapers under some ghost name to avoid censorship and ban by government.

Ahmed Bashir has written many books and used to regularly write columns in newspapers. He received training of film making from UK and produced/directed one film Neela Parbat in 1969 starring Taalish, Husna and Mohammad Ali. Neela Parbat was written by famous Urdu writer Mumtaz Mufti. Neela Parbat is considered one of the few art films made in Pakistan and it was also second Adult Only (18+) film of Pakistan due to its sensitive and unconventional storyline in which an elder man (Taalish) falls in love with her adapted daughter (Husnaa), whereas Husna was in love with son of Taalish (Muhammad Ali). The film was a bold experiment by Ahmed Bashir and made well ahead of its time.  Neela Parbat failed at box office and Ahmed Bashir never made any other film.

Ahmed Bashir passed away in 2004. For current generation Ahmed Bashir maybe an unknown name, and he is more known due to his talented daughters the famous one of which is Bushra Bashir now Bushra Ansari. Ahmed Bashir was married to Mehmooda Bashir and they had four daughters and one son, his son lives in United States while all her four daughters are in Pakistan in the field of arts and literature.

Here are details of famous members of Ahmed Bashir Family

Parveen Aatif: is sister of Ahmed Bashir, she is a columnist and fiction writer in Urdu and Punjabi. Parveen Atif has also written few dramas on PTV. She also produced one drama in which Humera Arshad (singer) appeared in leading role for the first and last time.

Neelum Ahmed Bashir: is the eldest daughter of Ahmed Bashir. She is a fiction writer and poet, she writes in Urdu and Punjabi.

Sumbal Shahid: is the second eldest daughter of Ahmed Bashir, she is a singer and actor. She has also hosted famous show Golden girls on Geo television. Sumbal has appeared in numerous serials in supporting roles like Takay ki aayegee barat. Though a talented artist, sumbal appeared on screen quite late. Sumbal is married to a military officer and has two sons.

Bushra Ansari: is third daughter of Ahmed Bashir and is most famous of all. She started her career from Kaliyan a famous puppet show on PTV, Uncle Sargam fame. She is famous for doing comedy roles, but has equally proved herself capable of doing tragic and serious roles. She is also a  fine singer. Bushra has also written some dramas like ‘Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Milay’ on Hum TV and ‘Neeli Dhoop’ for PTV. Bushra Ansari is married to Iqbal Ansari who was director in PTV; he is now a director in Geo Tv. Bushra Ansari has two daughters Nariman Ansari and Meera Ansari.

Asma Abbas: is also an actor and singer. She is the youngest daughter of Ahmed Bashir. She was seen on PTV in program kaliyan and also in famous parody of ‘Haye Meri Angoothiyan’ as ‘Malika Pukhraaj’ (and Bushra Ansari as Tahira Syed) on PTV in 1984. After which Asma took a long break and returned to acting in early 2000’s Famous serials of Asma are ‘Akbari Asghari’, ‘Saari Bhool Hamari Thee’, ‘Man Ke Moti’. Asma is also married and has two sons and one daughter.

Iqbal Ansari: is husband of Bushra Ansari. He was a producer/director in PTV. Iqbal Ansari has produced many remarkable plays on PTV like Karawaan and Ajayeb Khana.

Nariman Ansari: is elder daughter of Bushra Ansari and Iqbal Ansari. She worked as a director for TV. Her famous play as director was tele-film ‘Neeli Dhoop’ on PTV which was also first play written by Bushra Ansari.

Meera Ansari: is younger daughter of Bushra Ansari and Iqbal Ansari, she has done modeling and appeared in various commercials of some big brands, like Pampers, Head and Shoulders, Pert Plus, Olpers

Shahood Alvi: can also be added in the list. He is a relative of Iqbal Ansari. Shahood is a top performer and has appeared in many dramas on TV.

On ending note, here is a Punjabi poem by Neelum Ahmed Bashir a satire on current political situation

Do share your thoughts.

Thanks.

Rashid Nazir Ali

Ahmed Bashir was a famous writer, journalist and intellectual of our country. Ahmed Bashir was a progressive writer; he faced hardships for his writing and thinking during martial law of general Zia in 1980’s. In those days he even wrote in newspapers under some ghost name to avoid censorship and ban by government.

Ahmed Bashir has written many books and used to regularly write columns in newspapers. He received training of film making from UK and produced/directed one film Neela Parbat in 1969 starring Taalish, Husna and Mohammad Ali. Neela Parbat was written by famous Urdu writer Mumtaz Mufti. Neela Parbat is considered one of the few art films made in Pakistan and it was also second Adult Only (18+) film of Pakistan due to its sensitive and unconventional storyline in which an elder man (Taalish) falls in love with her adapted daughter (Husnaa), whereas Husna was in love with son of Taalish (Muhammad Ali). The film was a bold experiment by Ahmed Bashir and made well ahead of its time.  Neela Parbat failed at box office and Ahmed Bashir never made any other film afterwards.

Ahmed Bashir passed away in 2004. For current generation Ahmed Bashir maybe an unknown name, and he is more known due to his talented daughters the famous one of which is Bushra Bashir (now Bushra Ansari). Ahmed Bashir was married to Mehmooda Bashir and they had four daughters and one son, his son lives in United States while all her four daughters are active in the field of arts and literature.

Here are details of famous members of Ahmed Bashir Family

Parveen Aatif: is sister of Ahmed Bashir, she is a columnist and fiction writer in Urdu and Punjabi. Parveen Atif has also written few dramas on PTV. She also produced one drama in which Humera Arshad (singer) appeared in leading role for the first and last time. Parveen Aatif was married to Brigadier Maznsoor Hussain Atif who is a famous hockey player of Pakistan. The couple has two sons and one daughter.

Brigadier Manzoor Hussain Atif: is the husband of Parveen Atif and brother in law of Ahmed Bashir. Brigadier Atif served in army and later played hockey for Pakistan. Brigadier Atif was part of Pakistani hockey team in the Olympics in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964. Brigadier Atif passed away in 2008 aged 80. Brigadier Atif also served in Pakistan Hockey Federation as an administrator for a considerable time.

Neelum Ahmed Bashir: is the eldest daughter of Ahmed Bashir. She is a fiction writer and poet, she writes in Urdu and Punjabi. Neelum mostly resides in USA where all her three kids are living.

Sumbal Shahid: is the second eldest daughter of Ahmed Bashir, she is a singer and actor. She has also hosted famous show Golden girls on Geo television. Sumbal has appeared in numerous serials in supporting roles like Takay ki aayegee barat. Though a talented artist, sumbal appeared on screen quite late. Sumbal is married to a military officer and has two sons.

Bushra Ansari: is third daughter of Ahmed Bashir and is most famous of all. She started her career from Kaliyan a famous puppet show on PTV, Uncle Sargam fame. She is famous for doing comedy roles, but has equally proved herself capable of doing tragic and serious roles. She is also a  fine singer. Bushra has also written some dramas like ‘Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Milay’ on Hum TV and ‘Neeli Dhoop‘ for PTV. Bushra Ansari is married to Iqbal Ansari who was director in PTV; he is now a director in Geo Tv. Bushra Ansari has two daughters Nariman Ansari and Meera Ansari.

Asma Abbas: is also an actor and singer. She is the youngest daughter of Ahmed Bashir. She was seen on PTV in program kaliyan and also in famous parody of ‘Haye Meri Angoothiyan’ as ‘Malika Pukhraaj’ (and Bushra Ansari as Tahira Syed) on PTV in 1984. After which Asma took a long break and returned to acting in early 2000’s Famous serials of Asma are ‘Akbari Asghari’, ‘Saari Bhool Hamari Thee’, ‘Mann Ke Moti’. Asma is also married and has two sons and one daughter.

Iqbal Ansari: is husband of Bushra Ansari. He was a producer/director in PTV. Iqbal Ansari has produced many remarkable plays on PTV like Karawaan and Ajayeb Khana.

Nariman Ansari: is elder daughter of Bushra Ansari and Iqbal Ansari. She worked as a director for TV. Her famous play as director was tele-film ‘Neeli Dhoop’ on PTV which was also first play written by Bushra Ansari.

Meera Ansari: is younger daughter of Bushra Ansari and Iqbal Ansari, she has done modeling and appeared in various commercials of some big brands, like Pampers, Head and Shoulders, Pert Plus, Olpers

Shahood Alvi: can also be added in the list. He is a relative of Iqbal Ansari. Shahood is a top performer and has appeared in many dramas on TV.

On ending note, here is a Punjabi poem by Neelum Ahmed Bashir a satire on current political situation

Do share your thoughts.

Thanks for reading.

Rashid Nazir Ali