Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: November 26, 2019 | 
| 中文
Zeba (L) and Waheed Murad (R) in Armaan
Waheed Murad, perhaps the most charismatic hero Pakistan’s film industry ever saw, was born in Sialkot in 1938. With a Master’s degree in English Literature, Murad also wrote and produced a few films during his celluloid career, that started with a cameo in a film in 1959 when he was 21 years old. Murad went on to act in about 125 films, till the time of his death on November 23, 1983, two of which were released posthumously.
But what made Waheed Murad, lovingly referred to as Wido by his fans, immortal in the annals of Pakistan films industry was his abundant acting prowess, his innate charm, his ability to exude romance through his eyes, and the conviction with which he lip-synched to some of the most famous ditties of that era. These include “Akelay na jana” and “Ko Ko Korina” , going on to become part of Pakistan’s pop culture. Films like Armaan, Devar bhabi, Doraha, Insaaniyat and Maan Baap made him a star of legendary proportions.
Waheed Murad as a Child
Waheed Murad joined his father's established 'Film Art' in 1961 as a producer, and went on to have an independently successful career lasting 25 years. It is said that Murad joined the film industry upon the insistence of the reigning queen of cinema at that time, Zeba and a close friend, Pervaiz Malik. He reluctantly agreed to the idea, on the condition that Zeba would be his co-star. Zeba accepted, and the duo went onto enthral the audience in many subsequent films.
In 1966, Waheed produced and acted in Armaan, in which he played Nasir, and Zeba played his paramour, Najma. The film broke all the box office records at the time, and completed an unprecedented 75 weeks in theatres. Murad received two Nigar awards for the category of Best Producer and Best Actor. The film has gained a cult status, and is still remembered as the pinnacle of Pakistani cinema’s golden era.
Singing His Iconic Ko Ko Korina Song
Murad was considered the most debonair and stylish hero by his fans, and a whole era of Pakistani youth was besotted by his inimitable style, his signature side flicked hair, and his deep throated voice. His golden brown complexion and almond eyes were what the young men of the time envied. He was a poster boy of romance, winning him the title of “the Chocolate Hero” of the 60’s and 70’s.
With Beena Kanwal in a Film Scene
Murad was such a natural at being a romantic hero and had so much onscreen appeal. In those prude times, actresses refused to work with him or were forced by their families to decline films with him because they found his magnetic appeal too threatening.
Waheed Murad's Marriage to Salma Maker
His success, his appeal and his fortune tragically started to work against him. His family life, and subsequently his health, deteriorated. In 1981, when he suffered from stomach ulcers and had to undergo a surgery, his fans came to the hospital to donate blood to save the life of their favourite hero. People came, wept and prayed for him, but in the meantime new heroes were beginning to emerge.
By now, he had become visibly weak and his films did not do too well at the box office. It was heart-breaking for his fans, and even more so for Murad, who only knew of admiration and adulation all his life. Stories in the tabloids of his failing health, and his difficulty in coping with his declining stardom, made him even more depressed.
But perhaps it was his accident in July 1983, that was the last nail that broke his back. After running his car into a tree, he was left with a gruesome scar on his face. Murad, the handsome and dashing hero, could not deal with the trauma of disfigurement. One fateful morning, he was found lying on the floor of his room, dead for several hours. He was 45 at the time of his death.
Waheed Murad
In his lifetime, Waheed Murad earned 32 film awards, including the ones for Best Producer and for Best Actor. His fans and Pakistani film aficionados both agree, that no other hero of the Pakistani cinema has been able to match his charismatic onscreen presence since.
You may also like:
Centers of No Attention: Comparing Pakistan's City Centers with European Squares
(November 22, 2024)
