Zeba


Shaheen Bano, known professionally as Zeba, is a Pakistani former actress. She was one of the top stars of the Pakistani film industry in the 1960s and the early 1970s.
She was voted among 25 of the greatest actors of Asia in a 2010 CNN poll.
During a career that spanned almost three decades, Zeba appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor and husband Mohammad Ali. She also starred in the 1966 film Arman which was produced by actor and producer Waheed Murad, Pakistan's first Platinum jubilee film.

Early life

Born as Shaheen Bano in Ambala, British India on 10 September 1945,
Zeba's family migrated to Pakistan from India when she was only 3 years old. She received her basic education in Pakistan. She made her screen debut in film Chiragh Jalta Raha in 1962.

Career

In 1961, producer Noor Mohammad Khan offered her a role of heroine in his film Zindagi but later, for unknown reasons, the film was shelved. By then, she accepted a role in another film Shakir. Arif was the hero, and the movie was eventually released in 1962 with a different name Chiragh Jalta Raha and she won Nigar Award for best supporting actress. Other debut cast were Mohammad Ali and Kamal Irani. Her second release of 1962, Jab say dekha hai tumhain, opposite Darpan earned her critical success. Her next film, Baaji was released in 1963 which was also successful.
Her first release of 1964 Taubah was a Golden Jubilee movie. Her pair, first with Kamal and then with Waheed Murad, who was the only producer at that time from Karachi. Her second collaboration with Waheed Murad was in 1964 film Heera aur pathar. Her next three successive releases in 1964, Aashiana, Baghi Sipahi and Head Constable.
After the introduction of color movies, she first appeared in Najma. Rishtah hey pyar ka was her first film which was shot overseas. Her first release of 1966 was Armaan which was also Pakistan's first Platinum Jubilee Urdu film. Armaan was produced by Waheed Murad himself and directed by Pervaiz Malik. The movie was released on 18 March 1966. She won her first Best Actress award from Nigar Awards for this film. During the same year, Zeba and Waheed Murad were teamed up in two other movies, i.e., Josh and Jaag utha insaan. From 1965 to 1969 Zeba worked in a number of films. Some of her notable and successful films of that time are Eid Mubarak , Kaneez, Dard-e-Dil, Koh-e-Noor, Josh, Suhagan, Taj Mahal, Anjaan, Mohabbat rang laye gi, Ek Phool ek Pathar and Bahoo Rani. In 1970, she played a young-to-old role in Shabab Kiranvi's film Insaan aur Aadmi. Her performance was greatly appreciated and she won her second Best Actress award from Nigar Awards.
One of her most memorable roles came in the 1972 film Mohabbat which was a critical and commercial success and earned her the third Best Actress award from Nigar Awards.
She starred in only one Punjabi film named Mehndi wale hath, even though she had worked with a total of 45 film directors over her entire career.
She along with Mohammad Ali also worked in 1989 Hindi movie Clerk written, produced, directed by and starring Manoj Kumar alongside an ensemble cast including Rekha, Anita Raj, Shashi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Prem Chopra and Sonu Walia. This was her only Hindi film appearance.
Zeba reportedly told a major newspaper of Pakistan in 2021, "I'm not complete without Ali. He was a good husband, a great father and a good friend."

Films with Mohammad Ali

By the late 1970s, Zeba started to work opposite her husband only. Known as a couple 'Ali-Zeb' in the media, the pair did a number of movies together. Some of their most notable films are: Chiragh Jalta Raha – This was a debut movie for both of them.Aag Jaise Jante Naheen Baharein Phir Bhi AaeingeeDil Diya Dard Liya NajmaAfsana Zindagi Ka Mohabbat Aurat Ek PaheliNaukar Mohabbat Zindagi HaiJab Jab Phool Khile Phool Mere Gulshan KaDaman Aur Chingari
Her last film Mohabbat Ho Tau Aesi released in 1989 was also with Mohammad Ali.

Personal life

Her first marriage was to Khawaja Rehmat Ali, and her second to film actor Sudhir. Although Zeba had met Mohammad Ali on the set of their debut film Chiragh Jalta Raha, their affection for each other was rekindled on the set of the film Tum Mile Pyar Mila, and they married while the film was still under production on 29 September 1966. The couple described it as a love marriage, and they remained married until Ali's death from a heart attack on 19 March 2006.
Zeba had a daughter from her first marriage named Samina; after marrying Ali, he legally adopted Samina, giving her the name Samina Ali.

Awards and recognition

She received the Nigar Awards four times in her film acting career:
She had also received two special awards from Nigar Awards and .

Filmography

1962Chiragh Jalta Raha Jab se dekha hai tumhen
1963BaajiDil ne tujhe maan liyaSumeeraMehndi wale hath
1964TaubahAshianaHeera aur patharHead constableBaghi Sipahi
1965KaneezEid MubarakAisa bhi hota haiRawaajTere shehar mein
1966ArmaanJoshKoh-e-NoorLoriTasveerJokarDard-e-DilJaag utha Insaan
1967InsaniyatEhsaanRishta hai pyar kaMaa BaapAagSuhaganWaqt ki pukar
1968MafroorBaalamAdalatPakeezaAsmatMujhe jeeney doMahalDil diya dard liyaTaj Mahal
1969Tum mile pyar milaJaise jante nahinZindgi kitni haseen haiBahu RaniJang-e-Azadi
1970Insaan Aur AadmiMohabbat rang laye giIk Phool ik PatharAnjaanNajmaNoreen
1971Insaaf Aur QanoonDuniya na maneyYadenTeri soorat meri AnkhenSalam-e-MohabbatAansoo bahaye Pathron ne
1972Afsana Zindgi kaIlzaamSabbaqMohabbatBadley gi Duniya saathiDil ik Aaina
1973Daman Aur ChingariNadiya ke paar
1974Phool Mere Gulshan KaTiger GangShamaParchhaen
1975Jab Jab Phool Khile (Pakistani film)NoukarBin Baadal BarsatAarzoo
1976Aurat ek paheliPhool aur SholayGoonj uthi ShehnaiDharkanAap ka Khadam
1977Bharosa
1978Kora KaghazTakrao
1979Chori ChoriIbadat
1989Clerk
  • ''Mohabbat ho to aisi''