It was way back in 1962 when cine-goers were introduced to a new face in S.M Yousuf directed Urdu film Aulaad. Though he wasn’t the male lead in the film but his performance in the given quotient of a supporting actor was more than enough to prove his mettle. That was our chocolati hero, the first ever chocolate-hero of Pakistan film industry; Waheed Murad (2nd October 1938 — 23rd November 1983).
Aulaad made golden jubilee on Pakistani cinemas, which obviously was nothing less than a fortune for a débutant. The success encouraged Murad and the film was followed by Daaman, another super hit and then Maamta. However, It wasn’t until 1964 when Waheed Murad got his big break through his forth film Heera aur pathar. Directed by Parvaiz Malik, Heera aur Pathar became the game changer in actor’s life, after which there was no looking back, the film literally put Waheed Murad on his path to become the undoubted superstar of Pakistani cinema.
60s was one of the most successful decades of Pakistani films and Waheed Murad was lucky enough to work under the direction of the likes of S. M. Yousuf, Qadeer Ghori, Parvaiz Malik, Hassan Tariq, and other big guns of the industry. They polished him into a diamond that became the heart-throb of millions in a very short span of time.
In 1966 came Armaan, the first ever platinum jubilee of Pakistani cinema. “Koko Koreena” and “Akailay na jana” by Ahmad Rushdi and Sohail Rana became the street songs and the film brought Murad to the new heights and he became the number one hero.
Waheed Murad films were also famous because of their splendid music. His performance and expressions on the film songs used to be just brilliant and the distinct quality was not seen in any other hero of that era.. even in the after years.
In acting he was equally good in all sorts of his scenes, be it romantic, light comedy, emotional, or tragedy or anything, if you were his audience, you were bound to be mesmerized by his performance.
He wasn’t only an actor; in fact it was production that he actually inherited from his father and after joining his father’s established production business named, ‘Film Art’, he produced eleven films under the same banner, wrote the scripts of four, and directed one, Ishara; which also went on to become silver Jubilee. He was called the Elvis Presley of Pakistan, and the prince of romance. He was and still is the most beloved hero of Pakistani cinema.
Director Parvaiz Malik, composer Sohail Rana, singer Ahmad Rushdi, and song writer Masroor Anwar quickly turned into his perfect team and together gave many hits including Heera Aur Pathar and Armaan.
Rushdi and Waheed Murad were a part and parcel. They both played important role for each other’s popularity, success and fame. Rushdi’s top three and all-time favorite songs Koko koreena, Akailay na jana, and Kiya hay jo piyar to paray ga nibhana were all filmed on Waheed Murad.
His couple with Rani Begum was the most liked one in films during 70s. Both worked together in Dil mera dharkan teri, Daivar bhabhi, Kaneez, Anjuman, Naag muni, Baharo phool barsao, Dilruba, Surayya bhopali, Behen bhai, Naag or naagin and many others. He also worked with Shabnam, Shameem Ara, Babra Shareef, Aaliya Begum, Naghma Begum, Zeba Begum, Deeba Begum, Anjuman, Rozina, Neelo Begum and almost all famous actresses of that era.
During the end years of his life, he became the victim of worst crisis, even the most loving fans left him. One after the other tensions had a worsening effect on his health too. Burdened will all the domestic and professional problems, even before the morning of 24th of November, 1983 could raise, the king of Pakistani cinema, the prince of romance had left for the final destination. After 27 years of his death, in November 2010, Waheed Murad was awarded with ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’ (Star of excellence) by the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari. May Allah Almighty shower His blessings upon him. Ameen.
