Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: November 01, 2024 | 
| 中文
(L to R) Sabiha, Waheed Murad and Santosh Kumar
The year 2024 will be remembered for the extraordinary Ambani wedding in India! From its unmatched style, luxury and grandeur to its high-profile guests. Once upon a time, we, in Pakistan, had parties that attracted special attention from the media, and people eagerly followed them, learning about the latest trends in style, presentation and fashion from the glamorous gatherings he hosted.
The Golden Era of Pakistani Social Life, which spanned from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, was a time of charm and glamour. With its own set of intellectuals and philosophers, the film industry was flourishing. There were parties in the same league as of the Ambanis, not on that scale, though!
Santosh Kumar (real name Musa Raza) and Darpan (real name Ishrat Abbas), two of the most handsome men in the film industry, were not only celebrated for their looks but also served as the face of the entertainment fraternity. Whether it was an elite gathering or a function in honor of a distinguished guest, they were invited, just to represent the vibrancy of Pakistan’s film world.
Darpan and Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar and his wife, the legendary actress Sabiha Khanum, were the most iconic couple during the early days of Pakistan. Known for his big heart, Santosh was a gracious host, who frequently threw lavish parties that became legendary for their style and elegance. Alongside his two brothers, Darpan and S. Suleman, and their respective wives, actress Nayyar Sultana and actress/classical dancer Zareen Panna, the family consistently captured the limelight. Once, Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman, the owner of Jang Newspapers, requested Santosh Kumar to spare at least one event for them to host as guests at their home. Santosh's reply was nothing short of legendary: "Khalil sahib, at least there is a family that has brought together the whole of Pakistan."
Qateel Shifai, Santosh Kumar and Sabiha
Things were not always hunky-dory; sometimes it 'rained on the parade'. One November evening in 1964, Darpan and Nayyar Sultana were hosting a grand first birthday celebration for their firstborn, Qaisar. Santosh's father, Daud sahib, was a respected figure in the community, and during his lifetime, no one dared to disrupt the gatherings. By the time Qaisar turned one, he had died and the star-studded event turned into something out of a film scene.
With the who's who of the film industry in attendance, legendary singer and actress Noor Jehan arrived at the party with her second husband, actor Ejaz Durrani. Meanwhile, Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, Noor Jehan's first husband, was present with his second wife, actress Yasmin, considered a look-alike of Bollywood beauty Madhubala. As a group photo was being taken of the exes, tensions escalated when Ejaz attempted to pull Noor Jehan's hand away from Shaukat's grip. This act sparked a slap from Shaukat, who had once brought a gun to confront the man “spending time” with his first wife.
Zeba and Waheed Murad
The tall Ejaz grabbed Shaukat by the collar, and Suleman, the birthday boy's uncle, jumped in to intervene. The young and upcoming director was seen lying on the floor, getting hit from both sides as Santosh and Darpan stood frozen, unsure of how to respond.
Suddenly, the sky opened up, and rain began to pour, causing panic among the attendees. Actor Nusrat Kardar, seized one of the imported booze bottles and dashed toward the gate. Being too tipsy to reach his destination, he ended up smashing a bottle against a pillar. The makeup of many ladies was washed away, leaving them frantically seeking a hiding place as the chaos unfolded. Singer Naseem Begum was there with her harmonium and a pint-sized mother. She was seen searching for her in the pandemonium. Soon the joyous celebration had transformed into a scene of comedic mayhem, with tensions, spills, and unexpected antics painting a vivid picture of a night that was supposed to be a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
However, the first birthday of Rabia, daughter of legendary actress Rani and producer/director Hassan Tariq, painted a very different picture, offering a glimpse into how parties were celebrated in the 70s. The photographs of the event held in February ‘72 show the warmth and camaraderie of Pakistan's film industry icons meeting off-screen, revealing a softer, more personal side of their relationships.
Afzal Ahmed, Babar Bilal, Munawwar Zarif, Rangeela and Nadeem at the first birthday party of Rani's daughter, Rabia.
Rangeela and Munawwar Zarif, known for their impeccable comedic timing, were there, spreading laughter and lightheartedness amongst the guests. Meanwhile, Nadeem, still burdened by the recent memory of the Fall of Dhaka, was making an effort to mingle. A young Afzal Ahmed, who was in the daytime, shooting as Nadeem's father in Mitti Ke Putley, was there joking among friends.
Nadeem and Waheed Murad
In a beautiful contrast to the stormy gathering of 1964, the mood at Rabia's birthday was one of reconciliation and peace. Hassan Tariq was a big name as far as movie-making was concerned, he had worked with every major star over the years, Rani was synonymous with success as she was equally famous in Urdu and Punjabi movies. The party at their place was bound to attract bigwigs. Sabiha Khanum, Nayyar Sultana and Noor Jehan, three icons who had witnessed the chaotic scene seven years earlier, were now seen mingling with smiles, spreading an atmosphere of grace and harmony. Veteran actors, Allaudin and Santosh Kumar, who had started their careers from India, were seen sharing happy moments. The party was a snapshot of the changing times in Pakistan's film industry, where both personal and national events shaped the way these stars came together, sharing not just their fame but their humanity.
The rise of Zia-ul-Haq's regime in the late 1970s brought significant cultural and social changes, including strict censorship and the discouragement of entertainment and arts. Even intellectual gatherings, once vibrant with creativity and debate, were heavily restricted under the new conservative environment. With the deaths of key stalwarts of the golden era, the once-thriving hub of artistic expression and celebration slowly faded into memory.
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